T-shirt #103 - Aloha

From left to right: Ivan, Liesel, me, and Piper.
Photo taken June 28th 2013.

T-shirt #103 - Aloha - my family part two

Aloha.

Most people think "Aloha" means hello and goodbye.

That's a Westerner adaptation of a word that has a much deeper meaning, a powerful meaning of spirituality and life force. A way of life.

I have been learning more about Hawaii in recent years because my wife is Hawaiian. She was born and raised on Oahu.

These pictures were taken at my parents' new condo during a combined Father's Day and Birthday celebration. I wanted more pictures of family to feature on my blog. I have twice featured pictures of my parents: T-shirt #69 and T-shirt #41, and in T-shirt #101, I featured my sister Lori and her husband Noel Beard. And though I featured my family on Mother's Day in T-shirt #52, I used our holidays/new year's card picture and not a recent picture taken specifically for this blog.

"The world will turn to Hawai'i
as they search for world peace
because Hawai'i has the key...
and that key is Aloha."
-- Auntie Pilahi Paki

I re-iterate what I wrote in T-shirt #52. I am very blessed. I feel like I won the lottery in falling in love with my wife and being lucky enough that she loves me, too, and agreed to marry me.

I also think it's very cool that she's Hawaiian. I have already learned a lot about Hawaii from her and her aunt Rochelle, who gave me a Hawaiian geography lesson when she stayed at our house during her visit when she attended our wedding. I have not yet had the pleasure of visiting Hawaii, but I am hoping to do so soon and greatly look forward to it.





My wife bought me this shirt as a gift--and at random--long before I even thought of the idea for this blog let alone started it. But she knew I liked T-shirts, and this shirt raised money for a good cause.

You can read about the campaign funded by this shirt at the Hawaiian Insider.

The sales of the shirts raised funds for the relief efforts in the wake of the Tsunami that hit Japan (and parts of Hawaii) in 2011.

The quote that is featured on the back of the shirt comes from Auntie Pilahi Paki (a poet and philosopher) known as the "keeper of the secrets of Hawai'i." Read more about her and her teachings at:

What is Aloha? Poster.

If you check the link to the poster, you may begin to have a greater understanding of "Aloha." I have found a great connection, correspondence, and synchronicity, with ALOHA and its greater meaning, which simply is kindness, unity, gentleness, humility, and patience. I love the idea of Aloha as a "spiritual principle that conveys the deepest expression of one's relationship with oneself, the creative and life-giving forces, one's family and community, and with one's friends and strangers" (What is Aloha? poster).

There's also Practice Aloha for more information and poems and such.

Also, check out this video (it's not as good as the poster but it's inspiring):

What is Hawaiʻi, What is Aloha 2012



RULES OF CHRIS

One thing I hope to explore in my blog are the rules of Chris (IE, my rules) for living.

NUMBER ONE RULE OF CHRIS: Be nice.

Being nice means treating others as you wish to be treated. If expressed in greater depth and complexity, as a fully developed idea, it is Aloha.


I am deeply indebted to my wife for introducing me to the concept of Aloha and sharing some of the teachings of Hawaiian life with me. I look forward to exploring more and learning more. Mahalo, Liesel.

I am humbled by the rich history of the islands and the amazing grace and beauty of the Hawaiian people.

In a small way, I am learning to practice Aloha with my family.

I love my family.

- chris tower - 1307.02 - 18:14

PS: It is a sad day today because my sister Lori had to say goodbye to her cat Tara, who was very ill. Tara had lived with Lori for 18 years. Much love to my sister as she grieves.

We're a little blurry, but it's not easy to see us because we shimmer.