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The Diva Speaks

Observations and opinions about Hawaii

What Does It Take To Live A Good Life? ©

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I was devastated when I found out two young monk seals were killed by humans on the Island of Molokai in the State of Hawaii three weeks ago…They were the sixth and seventh “known” slayings at the hands of individuals since 2009 ...There have been another five mysterious deaths, but the bodies were too deteriorated to make firm conclusions…For several days, I was terribly remorse, especially since I have spent many hours of my personal time advocating for these gentle creatures of Hawaiian Legacy…

It was almost too overwhelming to try to understand the destruction of these most critically endangered species on this planet by people who call the seals “pests”… These folks believe the seals are “stealing” fish that they consider belongs to them and decided for themselves to wipe out their personal problem by bashing the seals heads in while they slept. 

            I wanted to do something, lash out, yell, scream, curse, write letters to the Federal government to arrest someone, to DO something, anything to stop these needless killings…I have always believed one person can make a difference…but with these deaths, I have come to realized I am wrong and it will take the community of the Island of Molokai to change this pattern of destruction…        

In my sadness, I found solace in watching some videos of Caroline Myss who is a well renown speaker in the field of spirituality and human consciousness and New York Times best selling author… 

In her videos she spoke about the power of choice and the infinite consequences this influence has on us as individuals and our community…She said we often don’t know what are big or small choices, but often the smallest has the greatest significances and that choice is the most powerful energy within us…

            She said the biggest decision we MUST make is to live our lives with integrity, to always tell the truth and speak the truth…To never compromise yourself or others around you…

She went on to say, in her observations of people, that liars and cheats don’t heal…Dishonest and immoral folks who lie, who deliberately move to create moral crisis, and then go blaming others or animals by consciously hurting them…These actions will rule and effect their minds, bodies, their very souls, and the depth of spirit of their community ...The meanness and pain they make comes back to them in many forms of suffering, both personal or collective with physical and mental health deterioration…And this misery will be passed on to the ones they care for most, their own future generations… 

I know and appreciate that life is not fair and sometimes people feel the need to want to hurt, but I also understand the spiritual realm of consciousness…Until people stop intentionally inflicting pain, until they change their moral compass…They will not be settled and their community will not be able to more forward as a whole…In order to heal, we all must look onward and not backward for guidance…The images of old are done and we must be present to move into our destiny... 

For me, I have come to understand choice has three factors of how we all make decisions…The first is our egos, the second is our emotions, and the third, is our reasoning and logic…If we can follow the guidelines of what is fair and honorable and downplay the first two, then we all have a better chance that our choices and decisions will be correct, the right ones for us and everyone around us… 

            For me, I will no longer blame any individuals or groups for the slaughter of the seals and I will focus on living my life in gratefulness that we still have the few mammals who remain and I will be thankful for the people who work tirelessly everyday to care and save them…I hope when reality catches up for the ones who killed the seals AND reality catches up with everyone, they will come to understand their future and that of their community is in their hands…

Stephany Sofos