Hosting Japanese Friends in Hawai`i

If you are having a hard time giving yourself permission to have fun, or get out and experience things right where you live, host someone who is visiting!

My family who I lived with in Kobe, Japan, 20 years ago while studying abroad at a college there, came to visit Hawai`i. And in particular, it was my host dad’s first time in 20 years after consistent hard work. He finally “retired” and had a dream to experience a lot and my love and appreciation for him and his family, gave me the energy to plan all the things.

On another note, if you are feeling down, figuring out how to bring joy to someone else is a great way to actually make yourself feel better too. Plan fun things for them to do and as you chauffeur them around and tag along, seeing their joy and appreciation, is infectious.

So we did ALL thing things in about one week! And I mean I felt like I was a tourist visiting my own island and it was really, really fun! I’ve posted all the things under food, places, etc.

We checked everything off their list from dad’s surfing and paddling, to mom’s Bath & Body shopping, to my Japan little sister’s list of finding cute foods to photo and eat acai bowls!

Time spent with other people you love is time well spent. Even if things don’t work out perfectly (trust me, it happened to me too), they will still appreciate all that you do for them and it’s really being together that matters in the end.

These smiles are real. And yes, it’s because we went to some pretty incredibly places and did some pretty fun things, but it’s because when you take the time to make others happy, it really does make you feel better too!

Finding peace by piece:

Host someone and take them around where you live. The joy they will experiences in seeing your home with fresh eyes, will excite you and bring you peace that you get to live here every single day.