Posted on: Thursday, November 1, 2001

Commentary
Making time for those special, 'shiny' moments

By Linda Tagawa

Every moment in our lives can be "shiny" brilliant flashes of time that bring much joy. Those fleeting moments are not rare; on the contrary, they are quite common and available to us all the time. The key is to be aware that they exist.

I've noticed that when I slow down, instead of rushing right through the day as though I am blindfolded, I'm able to seize the charm within these ordinary moments. And each time that I capture the essence of those instances, neon flashes of energy swell within me like deep breaths of fresh air and penetrate my bones, right through to the tips of my toes. Oh, I am ever so grateful to be able to recognize those precious "shiny" moments that cause my heart to beat stronger, my steps to bounce lighter and my skin to glow brighter for they bring wholesome meaning and depth to my life.

Such an instance happened one morning, way before the neighbor walked his dog and the baby birds began chirping out back. That's when I decided to sit with my thoughts and feelings for just a while before racing out of the door to work. I felt my chest rise and fall with each breath and noticed the morning breeze gently brush along my arms and cheeks. I didn't have to be a mommy, teacher, neighbor, organizer, woman or any of those other things stamped with man-made labels at that moment. I didn't have to meet pressing deadlines, create new lessons, write expected reports, attend mandatory meetings, return demanding phone calls or tend to any other endless stuff. In that time, between the darkest of night and the brink of day, I merely enjoyed that sweet moment of "being." And in that instant a part of me that had been safely buried began to bloom and I got a sense of the person I was underneath my word, job, things I own, the way I look and the things I believe in. Ever since that one "shiny" episode, I've continued to save a small chunk of time every day, just to "be" my real self.

Also, I've noticed that whenever I have space in time on a hot sunny day, I am usually drawn to the sea. So I pack fruit and take the long, slow route all the way down to Ala Moana Beach. I shed my street clothing and sink down into the cool salty water. "Ahhh!" It kinda reminds me of the wonderful, sweet-sour taste of li hing mui. Only in this case the chilly water and sweltering sun make a pleasant combination of hot and cold. Then I glide along the deep blue-green channel and sometimes a baby turtle will swim alongside and brush its slippery shell right up against me. I feel startled and frightened all at once, and yet I relish those extraordinary "shiny" encounters along the ocean shoreline.

And when I lie on the fine white sand, wrapped in an invisible blanket of warmth from the sun, I fall into a deep, sound sleep and feel only quiet contentment. "Ohhh!" how luxurious are those naturally rejuvenating moments in time.

You know, most of the time in the early, early morning sky, crystal dew drops appear from nowhere and settle down on my car. And so, before I head off to work, I wipe off the dew along with the day-before dust. There's no need to hose down my care with water filled with chemicals that corrode and rust the paint. That's a "shiny" moment when I am able to see how wonderfully useful dew drops can be.

And when I drive on home, just before dusk some days, and notice a band of colors bend into a magical rainbow, I stop my car and just take in the beauty. "Ohhh!" is the only way I can express what I feel at the fleeting brilliance of the "shiny" moment.