Oct 172012
 
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Give Aloha

Are you up for a challenge that will change your life?

I’m serious.

Go 30 days straight by sharing the gift of Aloha and then let me know how it has changed your perspective on life or maybe opened up new opportunities. In an earlier piece I mentioned – to live is to givemanawale’a. We must give willingly and freely without any expectation of receiving. This challenge will only work if you get into that mindset while giving Aloha to others.

Every day I make sure to share Aloha because I really believe that it if everyone exercises it – we can make the world a better place.

The Aipa Project’s mission is to help you live a more meaningful and fulfilling life physically, mentally, and spiritually.

It all starts with Aloha. It’s the foundation of life.

This challenge will for sure increase your Mana Account and help you achieve peace of mind knowing that you are making a contribution to others every day.

These are simple ways for anyone to share Aloha. The best thing about these ways are that no money is involved.

30 Ways to Give Aloha.

1.  Tell a friend or significant other how much they mean to you. When was the last time you actually did this.  This simple act with help both of you.

2.  Say Thank You. People don’t say Thank You any more.  It’s as if people feel privileged.  You can never say Thank you enough.

3.  Compliment someone. Give a compliment to someone who you pass by.  It could be someone you know or not know.  That compliment you give could brighten up the person’s day.

4.  Send a handwritten letter to say Thank you and Aloha. This is different from sending an email.  Actually take time to write it on a thank you card or a simple piece of paper.  There is so much more meaning of the Thank You when it’s handwritten because it shows you took the time.

5. Go for a simple walk with a friend and talk. Just enjoy walking outside with a friend and talk stories.  Where to walk?  Anywhere.  Simply walk and enjoy the moment.

6.  Catch up with an old friend. We all have a friend who we haven’t talked to in a long time, maybe life has gotten hectic or you moved far away or you are just bad at keeping in touch.  I am.  Call them up and say hello.

7.   Give your time to community service. One of the most precious things we have to offer is time.  Donate your time to serve the community.

8.  Hold the door open for people with a smile. “You are a gentleman in disguise,” an elder women told me when I held the door to open.  I smiled and she said, “God bless you.”

9.  Be the light for someone stuck in darkness. If you see someone having a bad day or seems to be stuck in a rut,  be the one who makes them smile, laugh, and pull them out of the hole.

10.  Make a child smile and laugh. We forget how simple life was when we were young.  Take time to talk with children to bring you back to being excited over the simplest things in life.  You can easily volunteer at your local Boy’s and Girl’s Club.

11.  Keep eye contact when you speak to others. Eye contact is important to show someone they have your full attention, and that you are listening intently.

12.  Sing out loud. I have to put this in, because it works for me.  My staff always laugh when I bust out in song.  How can you not sing when Boyz II Men is playing on the radio.

13.  Offer to help. Every so often we may find ourselves standing around while others are working and you don’t know what to do.  Offer your help.

14.  Declutter and donate. You will not only be able to clean your living space, but you will make people really happy when you donate what you can.  Have extra blankets and jackets? Start a blanket and jacket drive for the homeless.

15.  Promote others. Talk about great things other people do.  You don’t need to tell them you are going to promote them.  Just do it.  They’ll know.

16.  Give recognition. Too many times we focus on the negatives and mistakes people make.  Recognize the good and success of others.

17.  Don’t rush a “How are you?” encounter. Rather than just saying “How are you?” because you think it’s a courteous.  Take it a step farther and actually stop to ask “How are you?”.  Even if it’s for less than a minute, make it a meaningful minute.

18.  Be present when around others. Put away your phones, close your email, instant messengers, and focus on the people who are present.

19.  Be more ahonui - patient. Be nalu.  There is no need to hurry or stress people out.  They will appreciate your patience.

20.  Remember the names of others. Names are important.  We are given a name for a reason – so make sure you learn the names of the people you encounter on a daily basis.

21.  Smile. I don’t think I need to explain why.  A smile is contagious.

22.  Donate blood. Did you know when you give blood you actually can save the lives of 3 people.  But yet, only 3 out of every 100 people donate.

23. Give a hug to someone who needs it. You see those people who give out ‘free hugs’.  Be that person.

24.  Give more time. If you feel like you have a lot of things going on, but then someone stops by to ask you a question or your advice.  Give them your time.  Whatever you are doing at that moment can wait.

25.  Nana i ke kumu (ask an elder for advice). Our elders have a lot of experience and wisdom to share.  We could all learn a lot from our elders and be reminded where we come from.

26.  Give others more kuleana (responsibility). You feel like you have to do everything yourself.  There are people who want to help but you don’t trust them.  Get over yourself, delegate, and trust them. They will respect you for giving them more kuleana.

27.  Forgive someone. Don’t hold a grudge or keep an ongoing misunderstanding ruin your relationship.  Forgive and move on.  If your forgiveness isn’t accepted, its okay.  Move on. That relationship is no longer important.

28.  Teach someone something. Educating someone on something you know is satisfying for you because you get to share your knowledge.  Your patience, passion, and time will never be forgotten.

29.  Find your purpose. This is so important.  Once you find your purpose, you will feel a new rush of energy flow through your body and others around you will notice the change.  You will inspire people into action.

30.  Listen. Sit down with someone and listen.  Let them vent, go off, and tell you their problems.  Some just need someone to be there while they get things off their chest.

31.  Stop and Help. You see someone struggling with something – help them out.  Like when someone struggles to put their carry-on bag in the overhead compartment.  Help.

32.  Give Aloha. Give everything you got to whoever you work with and everything you do.  Show there is still Aloha in the world today.  Give hope to others that there is still good and compassionate people out there.

I know.  I gave you more than 30 ways.  More giving doesn’t hurt. Plus I don’t want you to just stop after 30 days.  It should become a natural habit after those many days.

The next part of the challenge is to make a copy of this list and post it on your fridge, next to your desk, or on the mirror in your bathroom. Put it some place that you will pass by every day. Cross off one whenever you do it.  You can even be an over-achiever and do several or maybe all in one day! That would be solid.  All in one day.

Just imagine how awesome that day would be.  It would probably become one of your best days and it would be all from giving the gift of Aloha.

What else would you add to the list? Is there anything that I missed? Leave them in the comments and share your experience of sharing Aloha daily.

 

Mahalo. Aloha. A hui hou.

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