CIRCUMSTANCES

By Wally Amos

How many times have you known people who succumb to their circumstances? Too old, too young, not enough of this, too much of that. People often speak of being under the circumstances. They need to get on top of the circumstances. Recently, on a flight from Dallas/Ft. Worth to John F. Kennedy, I had the pleasure of meeting a flight attendant who did just that.

Mindy was married for 28 years when without any notice, her husband left her. She was devastated, to say the least! However, she wasted no time feeling sorry for herself. She began flying again one year after her husband left her. She had two angioplasty surgeries plus a stent and went back to work full-time three months after surgery! She said her hardest hurdle was to relocate twice in different cities but with God’s help she made the most of circumstances. Mindy is a great example of our ability to get on top of circumstances. It’s not just in Mindy; it’s in every one of us.

I have just finished reading, Touch The Top of The World: A Blind Man’s Journey to Climb Farther Then The Eye Can See, by Erik Weihenmayer. Erik had problems with his sight as a very young child. However, Erik never accepted the limitations of being blind, nor did his parents. He insisted on living his life by his rules, not the limitations of others. True there were several times when Erik’s stubbornness nearly cost him his life, however, he learned from each experience and made the necessary adjustments in his attitude as he progressed.

Because of Erik’s determination to climb farther than the eye can see, he succeeded in climbing the seven tallest mountains in the world and in the process became a reminder to us all that limitations only exist in our minds.

What limiting thoughts are you allowing to prevent you from living life to the fullest? If Mindy and Erik can go beyond their fears and doubts so can you. Remember these words by Leonardo da Vinci as you expand your vision and climb the mountains in your life, “Obstacles cannot crush me; every obstacle yields to stern resolve.”

Wally Amos lives in Lanikai. Amos is best known as the creator of the “Famous Amos” brand of chocolate chip cookie. In Kailua, Wally and Christine Amos have opened a retail store at 609 Kailua Road in Kailua for “Chip & Cookie,” the literacy dolls, home-made cookies and family reading programs they created.

Visit http://www.chipandcookie.com.

By TONY SOLIS

HUNGER PANGS

I would like to start my column by saying congratulations to fellow columnist Melisa Uchida and her husband on the expectancy of their forthcoming addition to their family! Kids are truly a blessing from God.

With that being said, I, too, am expecting a brand new baby boy come the early part of February 2007. Thank you for your well wishes!
I still remember that day when my first son was born. My wife’s water broke and it was time to get to the hospital. Her contractions were about 10 to12 minutes apart at the time and we had to make the trek from Mililani to Kapiolani Children’s Hospital.

It was about 8:30 a.m. and traffic was typical Hawaiian – slow go. We finally we made it off Nimitz and we were in route.

Suddenly, I started to have some pains of my own. Hunger pains. I am a breakfast eater so I decided that we should stop off at good ol’ Mickey D’s for an Egg McMuffin or two. I mean, it was on the way.

Did I mention my mother was with us in the car? She was flipping out! Scolding me that we needed to get to the hospital, “NOW!” But call me Mr. Cool. I assured her that we had time. Questioning me on how I knew I just said, “Manly intuition.” Or in layman’s terms, “I’m hungry.”

My wife on the other hand was no help in supporting my decision. She just sat there moaning every seven minutes or so. Understanding to the urgency of the situation, I had to make a quick decision.

“I’ll run inside instead of drive-thru,” I said.

We arrived at the hospital at about 10 and my wife was now in some serious pain. Her contractions were down to three to four minute intervals. I’m glad I ate because I don’t know if I would have had the strength to endure this!

Okay, “I’m ready!” I insisted. Low and behold, although her contractions were coming sooner and harder she hadn’t contracted to the 10cm wide she needed to be before giving birth (for the men who are not good at math, 10cm is about two and a half feet). To make this long story short, 24 hours later a healthy baby boy was born to us. I was relieved. Having this baby was no easy task for me.

That was 14 yeas ago this month. My wife and I have been married now for 12 or 13 years and have three beautiful children; two boys, one girl and now another boy on the way.

With all the husbandly and parental wisdom I have gained through these years, let me leave you with this simple piece of advice, “Do not bring your mother with you to the hospital.”

Tony Solis is the Host of “Eh! U Da Kine, Ah?” in its fourth season on OC16, and is a radio/tv on-air personality and the producer. Tony can be reached at: tony@udakinetv.com.

By Wally Amos

Inhale, Exhale, Breath

In an interview, I was once asked the question, “What do you like best about life?” Without hesitation, I replied, “Breathing!” If I continue to breath, I have a good chance of putting everything else together. Miss enough breaths and it’s all over. However, cookies and watermelon are a close second.

Some folks believe in the concept of inhaling the positive and exhaling the negative; inhale faith, exhale worry, inhale order, exhale confusion, etc. I have a very insightful friend, Martin Shapiro, who believes differently. He told me of a meditation taught by the Tibetans called Tonglen breathing. The Tibetans believe we should take in the negative and transform it to positive within us.

Inhale darkness, Exhale light. Inhale pain, Exhale joy. Inhale anger, exhale love. Martin commented that inhaling the positive and exhaling the negative actually seemed quite selfish. That one should inhale love for themselves and exhale their anger into the world maybe great for them, but what about the rest of humanity? The place of transformation is within the human being. As you inhale the anger of the world (or your own anger) and transform the energy, you are able to exhale love into the world (creating an infinitely more desirable place to live). He reminded me that breathing is the process of being reborn. You die a miniature death at the end of each exhalation for if you never inhale again you will surely die. You are reborn as you inhale. The more scientific name for exhaling is “expiration” and for inhaling is “inspiration”.

Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. If ever there was a time to inhale the negative and exhale the positive this is it. What a wonderful gift to give humanity.

Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale.

The beginning and the end.

Wally Amos lives in Lanikai. Amos is best known as the creator of the “Famous Amos” brand of chocolate chip cookie. In Kailua, Wally and Christine Amos have opened a retail store at 609 Kailua Road in Kailua for “Chip & Cookie,” the literacy dolls, home-made cookies and family reading programs they created.

Visit http://www.chipandcookie.com.