Detail of "River Crossing" by Maui fine artist Avi Kiriaty. Special thanks for the use of this painting. Learn more about his work HERE.
As the year comes to a close and we enter into the holiday season, it's important to take a step back and reflect on all that we're grateful for. From our families and friends to our health and well-being, there are so many things to be thankful for.
The holiday season corresponds to the Hawaiian new year which begins with the rising of Makaliʻi (the constellation Pleiades) in the East at sunset. Makahiki season is from mid-November to January. It is time when wars and fighting end and a period of feasting, games and gathering begins.
Makahiki aligns with the beginning of the rainy season in Hawaiʻi and indeed the rains have come. After a summer of drought on the Islands, these rains are especially welcome. We enjoy the rainbows that appear and are grateful as our tanks fill.
The light has changed too. It is softer and the days are a little shorter. The waves on the North shore are rising and at night we can hear them pounding; listening for the time when surfers from all over the world come to surf Jaws. Nature is bountiful and green when the rain comes. We are busy gathering the plants, flowers and fruits that are used to make our products – nature is so abundant at this time of year and for that we are grateful too.
But did you know that gratitude can also have a positive impact on your skin? That's right! Expressing gratitude has been shown to decrease stress levels, which in turn can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Gratitude has also been shown to boost our immune system. A strong immune system is important for keeping our skin healthy by fighting off harmful bacteria and infections. So by expressing gratitude regularly, we can help keep our skin looking its best.
So, as we enter the holiday season we encourage you to not only express your gratitude to your loved ones, and your life but also to your skin!
Many blessings for this season and may it be filled with gratitude.
Mālama Pono,
Joelle