November 2008 ~ Hoomaikai
For some of my "jottings" this year, I am drawing from a book called "Worldwords," which is a collection of words from around the world… one word for each day of the year… with an explanation of the word and a brief interpretation of its meaning. I will share a word, along with some thoughts from the book and some of my own. The word for November is:
Hoomaikai–(hoo-o-MY–ky) Hawaiian
Grateful
For many Americans, the words “November” and “Thanksgiving” are nearly synonymous. Thanksgiving, here, is a noun rather than a verb. It is the name given to one of our major holidays. It signifies prosperity, family, the beauty of the autumn season, the beginning of the holiday season… and of course, football! Thanksgiving is used less often as a verb that signifies a way of doing that is also a way of being. Being thankful or grateful is often assumed when we think of Thanksgiving as an event, but most of us know that we can participate in feasting and family gathering without being thankful. This may be less true in some other parts of the world. (from the book) “Being hoomaikai is deeply woven into the fabric of Native Hawaiian island culture. Music, dance, an exquisite variety of fine artworks and personal adornments all function as expressions of thanksgiving.”
Perhaps it is our loss of meaningful celebration that allows our special days to be little more than what lies on the surface and we come away sad and disappointed. But it need not be so. Being hoomaikai is choice that each of us can make.
(from the book) “We have so much to celebrate. Our being alive, awake and aware, and able to survive are great blessings. Most of us can feel the wind on our face, listen to morning birds, and treasure the visual magnificence of a moonset. When you focus more on what you have than on what you want, a space of abundance is created. Happiness is indeed wanting exactly what you already have. Hoomaikai is recognizing and actively giving thanks for what is.”
jbm
Hoomaikai–(hoo-o-MY–ky) Hawaiian
Grateful
For many Americans, the words “November” and “Thanksgiving” are nearly synonymous. Thanksgiving, here, is a noun rather than a verb. It is the name given to one of our major holidays. It signifies prosperity, family, the beauty of the autumn season, the beginning of the holiday season… and of course, football! Thanksgiving is used less often as a verb that signifies a way of doing that is also a way of being. Being thankful or grateful is often assumed when we think of Thanksgiving as an event, but most of us know that we can participate in feasting and family gathering without being thankful. This may be less true in some other parts of the world. (from the book) “Being hoomaikai is deeply woven into the fabric of Native Hawaiian island culture. Music, dance, an exquisite variety of fine artworks and personal adornments all function as expressions of thanksgiving.”
Perhaps it is our loss of meaningful celebration that allows our special days to be little more than what lies on the surface and we come away sad and disappointed. But it need not be so. Being hoomaikai is choice that each of us can make.
(from the book) “We have so much to celebrate. Our being alive, awake and aware, and able to survive are great blessings. Most of us can feel the wind on our face, listen to morning birds, and treasure the visual magnificence of a moonset. When you focus more on what you have than on what you want, a space of abundance is created. Happiness is indeed wanting exactly what you already have. Hoomaikai is recognizing and actively giving thanks for what is.”
jbm
posted by Wayne Manning at 11:36 PM
