Page 2 - MidWeek Kauai - June 22, 2022

2 KAUA‘I MIDWEEK JUNE 22, 2022
with Megan Takagi
Walking Through Chaos
“We always do the best we can by the light we have to see by.”
— Julia Cameron
I’ve always been a planner, first by na- ture, then by trade,
Relishing each list of dreams, goals reached, and timelines made
harm in one more show ...)
PThe Other Side
erspective. We approach things with our own view-
In early 2020, hopes were high and eyes were bright
So when the wildfire smoke trapped us inside for days on end
points, based perhaps on our background, upbring-
Two suitcases, two meowing cats with me aboard the flight
That’s the moment when I feared I’d break and never mend
Design our days with purpose; thoughts, assumptions to reframe
ing, education, or lack thereof. Views might be skewed based on one’s tribes, parents, peers and/or men- tors. But perspective is vital nowadays with far too much fragmentation and far too little active listening, empathy and compassion.
But then the autumn skies cleared up, the smoke washed by the rain
We cannot change mortality, get back hours gone astray
Even visual perspectives can be tainted by our personal history, what we know, or at least think we know. Example: Last week I took my lunchtime break at Sand Island State Recreation Area, just because. I grabbed a sandwich, parked in the lot and casually noshed while watching fishermen, passing ships, parasailers, birds and peripatetic park patrons.
While spending time with all the Seattle friends I longed to see.
Now home and looking back two years, I’m saddened by the cost
So throughout the tears and loneliness, the chaos and the strife
As I turned to leave, there it was — downtown Honolulu across the water, from the “other side.” I espied cloud- draped mountains behind downtown buildings, which I’d always seen from a completely different angle. It was almost like looking at a different cityscape, with green, rugged peaks as the backdrop — not Aloha Tower Mar- ketplace or the pier one might glimpse while driving down Bishop, Vineyard, Nimitz, Ala Moana, et al. Same place, different viewpoint.
Then riots, rallies, marches — pushing back the racist chatter
So am I the kind of person who com- plains and hesitates
Megan Takagi is the director of busi- ness development for Takagi & Takagi, a multigenerational family business that helps clients lead intentional, fulfilling and empowered lives through goals-based fi- nancial guidance.
Chasing The Light is produced by Lynne Johnson and Robin Stephens Rohr.
My long-awaited year to work on proj- ects dear to me
Every breath felt like a gift, such beauty in the mundane
But we can each do one thing that we’re proud of every day
The first reported U.S. COVID death came north of town
Of what this did to families; the jobs and lives we lost
I find myself still walking, searching, seeking light and life
And by my second week the entire city was shut down
Yet everyone is dying — just at vastly different rates —
Handmade signs in windows: rainbows, fists, and Black Lives Matter
To fully live the life I want or wait for luck to change
Masking up for springtime walks, with nowhere left to go
To sigh when plans are thwarted, when there’s nothing to exchange
Debating bedtime with my cats (no
When every breath is precious, can we rise above our shame
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How often do we approach issues from a different perspec- tive? How often do we do a 180 and actually listen when we find ourselves in disagreements with others? How often do we seek to gain diverse perspectives before allowing our own beliefs and deeply-chiseled opinions get in the way? Having strong convictions can be self-assuring, but it can also cut into one’s emotive capabilities to try to see things from a different angle — and I’m not rationalizing anti-facts-ers.
That brusque co-worker? You have no idea what’s going on in that person’s brain, at home, or what his/her back- ground might be that led to this behavior. I know, that may not be your problem, but it is your attitude.
I’m not excusing antisocial behavior or beliefs that are an affront to the human race. I’m suggesting that actively listening or letting go of one’s entrenched vantage point is possibly a fair way — maybe the only way— that we’re going to narrow chasms that only seem to widen these days.
Absolute gun rights, vaccination validity, native and women’s rights, TMT, the rail, short-term rentals — pick a topic and everyone’s got an opinion ... and a bellybut- ton. Sometimes, we can’t see the forest for the trees. I just discovered downtown from Sand Island, and it sure looked a whole lot different.
Think about it ...
john@thinkaboutithawaii.com
Fill in the blank cells using numbers 1 to 9. Each number can appear only once in each row, column, and 3x3 block. Use logic and process of elimination to solve the puzzle. The difficulty level ranges from Bronze (easiest) to Silver to Gold (hardest). Answers are on page 11
RATING: GOLD