Yes, that’s a monkey
You are in charge of what you achieve. It all starts with making a decision.
Whenever it comes to trying something new or taking on a new challenge, the first step is always the Decision or Holo Mana’o.
Hawaiian words can have a variety of meanings. The word holo can mean to flow like water. Once you make an honest decision with yourself to make a change or take on a new journey, become like water.
I draw my inspiration from many different places but when I think of flowing like water, a quote by Bruce Lee comes to mind:
Empty your mind. Be formless. Shapeless. Like water. You put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle. You put water into a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.
Making the decision is the hardest thing, because procrastination can be the easiest. It’s like when people want to start eating healthier or exercising, they tend to always put it off for after the holidays, the week, the weekend, or even until the next year.
I learned from The Minimalists, deciding about what you should do is easy, but deciding on what you must take action on can be hard. The must decisions,are what you are after because you are emotionally attached.
Create Your Must List
Whenever you use the word ‘should’, it usually follows with something like..
I should exercise more but I have to wait until I lose a little more weight.
I should eat healthier, I’ll start next week.
I should start paying off my credit cards but there’s an awesome sale going on now.
I should focus more on family but there is so much things going on at work.
I’m sure you can think of a few shoulds you used before. Anthony Robbins said it best, “I should, I should, I should. People don’t actually change. They just end up what I call, “shoulding” all over themselves. Convert those “shoulds” into “musts” and your entire life changes.”
I must exercise more to become healthier and live a longer life.
I must eat healthier to set a good example for my kids.
I must pay off my credits in order to reach financial freedom.
I must focus more on my family because they bring me value and meaning.
When you are true to yourself and make an honest decision that you must get something done, you’ll find a way.
The 30 Day Journey Begins
The other day, My wife asked, “What does it mean to live Ku?”
I went on about the philosophy of standing tall and strong, and being happy with yourself. It’s about building a strong mind, body, and spirit because by doing so, you will improve all aspects of life.
“Cool. So How do you live Ku?”
Today, you will start to live Ku.
And it all begins with the decision to start this journey, which is totally up to you. But if you are looking to build more strength, confidence, and happiness to bring more meaning and value to your life, then here is your first step:
Make time for yourself today to go some place quiet, where you feel comfortable, think about what you must do, and write them down. What must happen in order for you to create the change you want and desire?
I’m sure you have a journal laying around somewhere that was given to you or you bought and told yourself that you were going to write in it everyday.
How’s that coming along? Today is a good day to dust it off and start writing.
That’s it. It’s simple but also very complex because you must be honest with yourself which some find very hard. Once you have your Must List, take a look over it and breathe it in. Then become like water and become the change you want to see in your life.
Think about how it would feel if you do all the things you believe you must do. Let it sink into your na’au, soul. It’s time to make that change and Live Ku!
Feel free to leave a comment here and also take place in conversations on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram with #liveku.