Sometimes you have to take stock of things in your life and make some tough decisions.  Let’s face it, sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and cut things loose.  I sold something today that has been a fun part of my life for the past several years.  I was sure this day would come but I was doing my best to avoid it.  Sometimes you have to look deep into your life though and rate the value you receive from this person or thing.  In my case, I decided to sell my beloved 1969 VW Baja buggy to the first person willing to pay my asking price.  It was a tough decision made easier only by the knowledge that I just didn’t have the time to devote to a project car.  I have had a lot of fun with it over the years and am sure to miss it but now, someone else can enjoy it even more.  It is important, I think, to do your spring cleaning and make those tough decisions.  I heard an idea at the beginning of the year which said to turn all your clothes hangers around inside your closet.  If by the end of march you haven’t turned the hanger around on some items, take them out and donate them as you are not wearing them anymore.  I thought this was a great idea.  I didn’t do it, but I still thought it a great idea.  Maybe next year.  Same thing I have been saying about my buggy for the last two years.  Maybe next year I will get it painted and get all the cool little things done to it I have been dreaming about since I first droove it home.  Well, next year never came and I decided to make the smart, yet difficult decision to let her go.  I am going to miss my little buggy, but its departure just might have made room for something else just as, if not more fun.

Have you ever been laying on the couch watching television and thought “Man, I really need to get off my ass and finish such and so?”  Yeah, me too.  Well what are you waiting for?  Get up and go do it.  Peel yourself away from the how to cook show and go create a killer meal or desert.  Click the power button right in the middle of “Alaska Bush People” and go find a place to hike.  Better yet, grab a book and read.  Whatever you  do with your time, make sure it involves learning something new or getting better at something you like to do already.  I feel the key to life is to never stop learning and creating.  Get a bunch of paints and brushes and go make some mistakes.  A year or so ago, I was watching a show about moonshine and one of the moonshine makers said “Nobody knows how to do nothing anymore.  Kids think bread comes from the store cause they moma don’t know how to make it no more.”  Well, that got me to thinking about how I had no idea how to make bread.  I went to the store, grabbed a bag of flour and there it was, the recipe.  I bought it and a few other ingredients, took them home and baked an awesome loaf of bread.  I was so proud of myself.  Creativity gets you pumped up and wanting more.  I have always believed if you don’t use it, it will start to rust.  “It” is whatever you want it to be.  Once something starts to rust it is very difficult to slow or stop the process.  Now, go surprise yourself.

All the hullabaloo surrounding the Oscars got me to thinking. Back in the 90’s the rock band “Pearl Jam” was given a Grammy award.  The whole band went up on stage to accept the award and the lead singer, Eddie Vedder, looked at the trophy quite confused.  He then said into the microphone that he thought this process of judging someones art against someone else’s art didn’t make any sense.  I have to agree with him.  It has been said that beauty is in the eye of the beer holder, I mean beholder.   That being the case, especially with art, I really don’t see the point of these award shows anymore.  They seem to be one big party for people who need their egos massaged even more than they already are.  I think the Oscar has now been completely depreciated to nothing more then a fashion show.  I have said this before, give everyone a trophy and let’s move on.  Who know’s, maybe it was all a rouse so the show would get better ratings, after all, I’m talking about it and I haven’t cared about an award show since I was a kid.  Oh well, guess they got me.  Guess I’ll have to get this off my mind with the best medicine I know of…A walk on the beach.  #Aloha

Few things make me as happy as seeing something I worked hard for and taken care of still kicking.  Whatever your mind congers up, go with that.  I have had plants for years, and years, and kept them going with plenty of water and sunshine.  I’ve also been known to talk to them when nobody is looking or within ear shot.  Whatever, it works.  Today I drove my truck to work because I was real tired this morning and I was a little light on motivation.  I do this from time to time because the mere sight of my truck makes me happy.  I have had this truck now for, dare I say it, about ten years.  Seems like yesterday my Mom was talking me into the truck over a Ford Focus station wagon.  Yes, that is the truth, I have a thing for station wagons, but I digress.  I went ahead and took my Moms advice and got the truck and it was instant appreciation. I don’t know how people get on without one!  I remember the day I paid it off like it was an hour ago.  Talk about one of the all time greatest feelings in the world, knowing you fulfilled your debt and whatever it was is now yours.  Me and my truck have been around and I have zero plans on it not being with me for a long time to come.  My day went without a hitch while making a big step toward that very thing.  When I headed out to the parking lot I couldn’t help but smile at an object that has become a close friend.

A very special delivery came to me today from a place I can only imagine as I have never been.  This enchanted and elusive place is Box Elder, Montana.  My friend Kenny Morsette  and I served in the Army together in the 90’s.  We met in Denver, Colorado while attending an advance school at Lowry Air Force Base (no longer exists.)  After that school I was shipped off to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and Kenny to Korea.  A year or so later, Kenny was assigned to the very unit I was on Fort Bragg, what are the odds?  Fast forward to today and you all know I have a book I am about to publish called “My Aumakua”.  While trying to figure out what to do for a cover I asked for input from my friend Kenny.  The painting he came up with is nothing short of amazing.  It is as perfect a picture as could be for the cover of my book.  This painting, which I can tell you, for me, is now priceless, arrived today.  It arrived by mail…IN A USED PIZZA BOX!  The mailman walked in holding the box just so, and I looked up and said “I didn’t know you guys delivered pizza too.  Man, the USPS must be strugglin!”  The mailman (Mark) did not find the humor.  Much to my surprise, it was a pizza box, and it was for me.  I saw the address and knew what it was.  On the box was “Putz” hand written above where it says “pizza” which is what Kenny calls me.  Little does he know I actually like it even though its supposed to be a shot.  I looked at the box and couldn’t help but laugh and shake my head.  What a great way to reduce and reuse what would have been trash, but to send two, yes two priceless pieces of art to me, well, its totally Kenny.  I am blessed to have him as a friend and his talent, his passion is nothing short of breathtaking.  You will see what I mean soon.  Thanks Kenny, you are a fantastic artist.

Today I was in a strange mood mainly due to my dreams last night.  I usually don’t remember anything because it is usually something lame like working in my sleep or driving my car on some never ending highway.  Last night was a rare exception because my dreams were clear and memorable.  I was visited by a few friends that I have lost touch with somehow.  The strangest part is that we were all riding in a car together, but none of these guys knows one another.  Anyway, the dream was real fun and when I woke up I kinda tried to squeeze my eyes shut so I could get right back into the dream, but we all know how that goes.  It’s kinda like when a movie or a good book you are into is coming to an end, you feel a little anxiety and disappointment, at least I do.  I thought about the dream all day, but not in the way you might think.  I didn’t try to figure out what it meant or any of that stuff.  What I did however, is promise to do a better job of finding these old friends, getting in touch and having a conversation with them.  I sure hope they are all okay and doing well but either way, I am going to find a way to reach out.  While walking along the beach tonight I could see the reflection of the sky in the water.  It was so pretty and so serine that the stress of the day washed away with every wave.  Have an old friend you lost touch with?  Put it on your “to-do” list for this week to locate them and give them a call.  I’ll bet they were thinking of you too.

All day long I listen to people complaining about their situation.  Whether it be a crummy job or boss or some other aggravation, all day long.  I hear it on the morning news how things are so unfair out there and how there is this great divide among people today.  I’m not sure how real that is, but the news certainly feels like it is as that seems to be the only news going on, besides the elections crap.  A couple weeks ago I am pretty sure we were at war with terrorists all over the world, but I guess that is not newsworthy anymore.  My point is this;  if you want a better situation or more money or a gold medal at the Olympics, then go get it.  If you want respect at work and to make more money, earn it.  Work hard, train yourself, push yourself, offer ideas and support rather than complaining about things.  Be the employee the boss can count on and they might just do you right for it.  Upset that your neighborhood is dangerous and a mess?  Clean it up.  You live there, make a difference by putting in the effort.  As you know, I walk the beach a lot.  If I see trash on the beach, I pick it up because I don’t want my beach to look trashy.  If you let it go people start to get lazy and begin to treat your beach without respect.  If you want respect you have to give it and you have to live it.  Have respect for others and others will have respect for you.  Keep your beach clean, if nothing else it feels good to do a little good.

Whichever one you choose, the weather here is amazing. Whether you agree or not, the weather here is super.  Just sayin.

Energy comes from the strangest places.  Our home electricity comes from burning coal, natural gas, nuclear power, hydroelectric or solar.  Our physical energy can come from these same places, and a few others.  Physical energy can come from more physical energy, its true, try it, and from solar, I know because the sun energizes me every time I turn my face to it.  If you have never had more physical energy from natural gas then you are not eating enough tacos.  Do not shy away from a way to increase your energy.  If it means answering a phone call from a friend to re-energize you, then do it.  If it means taking a walk after a long day at work, then do it.  Today, I was driving home, in traffic, in LA, blah, blah, blah, when I noticed my little Hawaiian Warrior Helmet or Kamani Nut Ikaika, hanging from my rear view mirror.  This guy energizes me for many reasons.  It reminds me of the places I have been and how to prepare for the tough times ahead, a lot of things.  Twenty years this little guy has been with me, hanging from a few different rear view mirrors.  Twenty years going strong.  Strong as the macadamia nut shell he is made of.  The energy I feel from this little guy is truly positive.  What is a source of energy for you?  Is it your Warrior Helmet?  Is it Red Bull?  Is it your passion for equal rights?  Is it your love for family and friends?  Whatever it is, tap it, every day.  Tap into that well and feel the glow.  Tap into whatever it is with reckless abandon.  Happy Aloha Friday.  #MyAumakua

All this talk about the distribution of wealth has had me thinking the past few weeks.  It has been said that the only two guarantees in life are death and taxes.  I would like to add to that and say there are four guarantees, death, taxes, winning and losing.  There are times you will win and times you will lose.  Some win more than others, but why is that?  My thought is that those that win more have more hunger for the carrot.  Everyone has a carrot they are chasing.  Whether it be a solid, secure retirement, a billion dollars, their next meal,  a place to call home, or maybe a Ferrari, we all have a carrot to chase.  Some chase that carrot with blinders on.  I mean some people have nothing on their mind but that carrot.  For others it is a fleeting vision that would be nice but they are not willing to put the effort in to actually get to it.  Some expect to be given the carrot they seek simply because all humans should be able to enjoy life as one big team where we all tolerate one another, no matter what.  John Lennon’s “Imagine” is a wonderful song and a truly Utopian idea, but it is just not possible.  There will always be competition pushing people to want more.  I’m sure that the first humans distributed their food and water equally between one another, but there was still a chief or leader and I am certain they had their fill whenever they wanted unlike the rest of the tribe.  There has to be a carrot, otherwise there is no reason to put in the hard work, think about it.  I chase a bunch of carrots and I am hungry for all of them.  Once you get that carrot, believe me, you will want another.