Years ago in my former “corporate life”, I had the good fortune to attend a conference at a resort in Ka’anapali on the western side of the island of Maui. With its incredibly beautiful beaches, scenic natural wonders, crystalline waters, near perfect weather and the opulent resort complex perched amidst it all, the venue lived up to its hype. The welcome dinner was one of my most memorable dining experiences – a combination of the lanai setting at sunset, the wonderfully prepared fresh, local food, the wine, and of course the company. Dutifully, I agreed to play in a golf outing the next morning, but when I arrived was still not able to shake the scenery that surrounded me. And, I thought, why should I? I went through the motions, but at the turn called it quits giving in to the scenery which had its hold on me, sat on my golf bag looking out across the Pacific until a breaching humpback whale broke the surface, joyfully interrupting my view. I looked at the hills behind me and they were calling my name. I threw my golf bag in the car, changed clothes right there in the parking lot, donned my hiking boots, grabbed some water and headed for the hills. (PLEAASE CLICK ON THE TITLE ABOVE TO CONTINUE READING.)
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The Island of Maui is called the “Valley Isle” for the large isthmus that formed when the lava that flowed between its two volcanoes overlapped and shaped the island we know today, and for the many other valleys carved into both volcanic mountains. This region of the island contains a variety of continuous native vegetation and large tracts of native forests, with a canopy composed primarily of ‘ohi‘a and koa and a well-developed sub- canopy layer of mixed native understory trees and shrubs. Up through that canopy I hiked, alive in the Hawaiian air, redolent with all the flowers and trees around me. As I ascended, the ocean reached out further and I could clearly see more of the islands of Molokai and Lanai. With its numerous turns and cuts, the hiking path also showed to me Pu’u Kukui, one of the two volcanic mountains, though I could not see its peak. The disappearing golf course cut into this raw, natural landscape now looked so artificial and manicured. On this hike, you take advantage of the numerous rest stops, not so much for the body as for the soul. To stay focused on the trail, with the goal of getting to a point, or the top, or anywhere else is to miss the magic of this place. Clearly, here it is all about the journey and not the destination, just like life I guess. Following the trail further on, I saw an outcropping with a promising vista across the valley. I turned away from the trail onto a lightly trodden path - others had been here before me. My efforts were rewarded with the most magnificent view – the valley lay below me in her full grandeur. I sat down, knowing somehow I would be here for a while. With the sun playing through the clouds which floated along the airstreams around and through the island, the light moved across the floor, guiding my attention, like an usher with a flashlight. I was mesmerized. Alas, with the sun behind me and falling towards the horizon, it was time to go. Turning back, I saw a tree stump about knee high, with what looked like a carving that proudly bore the patina of many hands having touched it. As I approached, I saw just two words, two words that captured my thoughts all the way down the mountain. BE MORE. Be more... be more what? I kept playing with the words and realized that finding the ‘what’ was for each of us to decide. Be more feeling , be more loving , be more lovable , be more appreciative , be more understanding , be more you, be more mother , be more father , be more friend , be more creative , be more patient , be more accepting , be more happy , be more there . Be more ____________. |