Leaving Las Vegas

“I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor.” Henry David Thoreau

"Earth, inhabitied by life but limited to its ends

beauty comes from appreciation and respect, forever and till the end.

Disgusted some may be

rightfully so, its obvious what they see

so many with no appreciation of what's here, was here, and will be.

Caring minds will guide our future but selfishness will make the ride a bumpy one.

Forgiving our blunders sets us free, together victory can be won.

As the battle rages on...our enemies become clear

because today we can fight only our fear.

Time is neither friend nor foe, begining and end has no meaning.

No records kept and no evidence shown

of how it all began and where it will go.

Rest assured that another day will follow

and be aware that this day has already gone

but never forget and always remember... its you and I that hold it all together.

Alone we can be fruitful but as one we can be useful."

Chris Kaneshiro 8/4/2001

What is Happiness ?

“A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes.”
Hugh Downs

Do we really know when we're happy?

I'm sure there are certain goals, objects, and people, we seek to make us feel happy. But do you know when you're happy ? I think, a set of attitudes equaling happiness, can be made into an equation; a learned application of mind control...our ability to manipulate our own response to outside stimuli. Are we fooling ourselves? Maybe not. I think we all know or have known someone who is seemingly incapable of happiness. Is this the result of inability to figure out the, "Happiness Equation" or a purposeful, deliberate encumbrance of sadness. Truly we all have been happy, at least for a moment in life. Can it be that the accumulation of hardships, sadness, and the trauma of life events, keep us from even embracing happiness. How can we, when the welcome of gloom can so easily take hold.

“Remember that happiness is a way of travel, not a destination.”
Roy Goodman

I don't see a problem with utilizing an equation for my happiness. In fact I know I do. And have done for most of my adult life (let's say age 15 to now). I used to see happy feelings as a gift of some sort; that you'll get here and there, or maybe even once or twice a year. Can you relate to that feeling ? Somewhere along the line I taught myself how to create my own happy place (cheezy i know) but it's true, I found it. The surprising thing is that, I didn't even notice my change in thought, or the process of. It wasn't until I began to write poems and journal entries that I began to realize, in my own written word, that I was purposefully controlling my mind. Now, is there something wrong with that? "Mind Control" has a bit of a dodgy connotation but think about it...I now have control over my mind ! Whats so dangerous about that ?

"Here I stand with my back against the wall. Once again, fate has made its call. Today is no different than the others, news of finality and change are muttered. As my eyes interpret and my mind tries to understand, the energy within begins its plan. My future will not be in jeopardy, life within, will live indefinitely. Mere belongings seem to be our only loss, so life itself cannot be lost. From this day forth I will start with a sweet melody. Reality today has a new smell, feels like I've lost it all but here I sit, pen, paper, fingers and all...continuously thinking, continuously dreaming. Now I'm looking for a continuous motion, driving my dreams into the ocean. An ocean of opportunity and growth, seeing a sea of wealth and happiness that can only be navigated with my help."

KaNe 9/7/2001

Almost Famous Inspiration

Inspiration is food for the soul. To me, inspiration is better than gold. Some of us consume things that we don't know is good for the soul but the little light in my head that continues to glow is fueled by the dreams and ideas that continuously flows. Without this persistence I wouldn't have the courage to say no; to all those who claim my ideas are null.
Although...the years are passing me by, the dreams I keep never lie, they keep my head held high. Whether I'm dead or alive these dreams I keep will never die but continue to grow on this piece of paper I know so well. Hope it keeps me out of hell because most that I write ain't much to tell or even be in stores to sell but if it keeps my soul full like a well, than forever these words I will inhale!

KaNe