There’s a new me sprouting its wings.

Some days, I can actually see the inner transformation.

Spirit taking flight at Alula Beach south of Honokau Harbor on the Big Island of Hawaii

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Almost a full moon

Tonight I headed down to the seaside Bungalow at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel for Twilight at Kalahuipua’a, one of the ancient fish ponds under the kuleana of the hotel.

Twilight at Kalahuipua’a is a monthly celebration of old-fashioned Hawaiian culture that includes talking story, kani ka pila music and hula.

The monthly event is held on the Saturday night closest to the full moon.  What could be better than to watch the sun set, then listen to stories and music with the voice of the ocean in the background?

One more reason to recommend the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows.

The setting sun at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel on the Big Island of Hawaii

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The lagoon at Mauna Launi Bay glowing red at sunset

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“Welcome home,” said the crossing guard at KOA.  ”Happy New Year, Aunty,” said the parking lot attendant.  ”You’re kama’aina,” said the lady at the burger joint.  When I went down to the beach for a moment at sunset, I felt my ‘aumakua close.

A sunset moment at the old airport in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii

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Do you see a shape in these stones? I see a woman making an offering to Kanaloa

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Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have,
and only you can determine how it will be spent.

Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.
–Carl Sandburg

Another year begins for me

An unusual combination of contrails from jet aircraft hovered in the sky.  It looked like a dancing spirit figure you might find in rock art, but writ very large.

May we all dance with spirit in the New Year.

The spirit in the sky dancing over the MIT skyline

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Joggers getting the New Year off to a good start

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Wishing you health and happiness, peace and prosperity in 2012

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I’ve been celebrating New Year’s Eve by looking back through all the moments of 2011 to count my blessings.

The year has been a big bright blur, with so much energy, wonder, change and growth…and just enough dark moments to make the bright parts brighter.

Impressionistic image captured while walking by the ice sculptures on First Night in Boston

We’ve done our bit to stimulate the economy, and eaten a few Xmas cookies.

With the smoke of a solstice bonfire still lingering about their ski jackets, my nephews are practicing Christmas carols for a kani ka pila performance at the nursing home.

And then to hit the ski slopes!

A holiday is not the same without Uncle Mike's sense of humor

It is indeed a wonderful life.

When I left Hawaii yesterday, there was snow on Mauna Kea.

Now I’m in Boston, getting ready to head up to Vermont for Christmas.

The cold New England air feels wonderfully refreshing. I wish it would snow!

It’s fun wrapping gifts with the resident Santa’s Elves.

My last Hawaiian sunset of 2011

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Santa's helpers at the ready

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I’m still learning my way around over there, and was glad to have some pointers.

Now I know how calming a Kalapana sunset can be.

Pink clouds at sunset in Kalapana

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Sunset over the black sands of Kalapana on the Big Island of Hawaii

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I went to my favorite spot in Santa Cruz.  Normally I like to take a walking meditation along the Cliff Walk, but today I just felt like sitting on a bench by the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, near the monument to the Hawaiian Princes who introduced surfing to this spot in 1885.

I sat very still, looking up into the bright sky, smelling the ocean, listening to the waves, waiting for intuition to come.

This is a spot with a lot of mana, and it didn’t fail me today.

Illumination over the Santa Cruz surf cam

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“You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.”

-Jon Kabat-Zinn