It’s been awhile since I’ve written about a Hawaiian value. The way my day has been going, I needed a little spiritual cleansing to reinvigorate the spirit within.
Ho’omana.
When we break down this word ho’o means ‘to make’. And mana, simply means ‘life force, power’. Mana is the equivalent to Qi (for Chinese), Ki (for Japanese), and Shakti (Sanskrit language). As you put the word together - Ho’omana - you get empowerment or to empower.
So what am I talking about here.
I’ve also been interested in how people interact with others. I came across an interesting concept by Seth Godin called the Art of Interaction. As I read more in his book, Linchpin, it solidified my belief that everyday you can make an impact – good or bad – and it’s up to you.
Seth Godin
Seth writes:
…the most visceral art is direct. One to one, mano a mano, the artist and the viewer. It’s the art of interaction. It’s what you do.
The art of running a meeting, counseling a student, conducting an interview, and calming an angry customer. The art of raising capital, buying a carpet at a souk, or managing a designer.
Think about it. We all have jobs we go to, but your job is different from your work. To grasp the full idea of Ho’omana, you should look at your daily interactions. The job you have is only a vessel of your true work.
By approaching each daily interaction as art, just imagine the influence you could have on the day or a single person. I believe that artists create emotions.
A person that comes to my mind is Zak Noyle. Now some not know who he is just yet, but this guy get’s it. Zak is a photographer who specializes in surf and sea. You know those people who you see swimming around with cameras while huge swells coming rolling in, he’s one of those guys. I’ve been following him for awhile especially on instagram (@zaknoyle) and every shot he takes invokes an emotion. Photography is his job, but his work is sharing the beauty and wander of the ocean that many don’t have the chance to see.
Zak Noyle
As a strength and fitness enthusiast, my training and the fact I want to help others build a strong, healthy, and good looking body is part of my art. This blog is my art for you. I hope it causes you to think, creates an emotion inside you, and empowers you.
How do you empower people? How can you embrace the art of interaction and Ho’omana?
Make a difference – it’s up to you.