Wobbling Is a Great Lesson

by Kahu Brian

Sunday, I was invited to share the Lord’s Prayer in Hawaiian at the Sunday service for Inner Faith Ministries.  I had offered to share it and we both thought it was a good fit with the theme of the day.

I got up and I was in the middle of the chant when I “slipped”. I have done the chant many times before and practiced of course, so this threw me. I lost my center when I heard a word come out of me that didn’t belong. Then I was thinking about that word and the words got out of order. That one word threw me for a loop with where I was in the chant. I took my next breath and got back on track. In hind-sight, I noticed that I kept going with the intention of the prayer. For the audience it worked and they felt the heart of the intention come through.

I was upset at first with my lack of accuracy. Later I remembered the words of one of my teachers. “Walking is just a step by step effort to not fall down. It is the getting up that is what keeps us going.” Although I “stumbled”, I now realize that I kept my heart center which got me back to the correct words of the chant and “walking” again. Keeping that centeredness in my heart was probably the most important thing that I did. People who I spoke to after the service said the chant was great and it gave them a great feeling and a connection to spirit. That is what the prayer is about, so the intention was kept.

That same teacher told me, “We can practice, but it will never be perfect because each viewer will see something different and see imperfection if they choose. What is most important in Hawaiian practice is the heart. Do it with Aloha and you are perfect every time.”

I heard those words again last night as I thought about what lesson I should take away from this. I know many performers or sports figures have an off day. It happens. I gave my best. The energy and intention was there and perfect for those present. I am so grateful for the love and support from Dr. Stroud and her wonderful community as I went through my wobble. Her sermon was perfect for me after about going through the wave of anxiety to find centeredness again.

As I like to say, my day is like the sky and each event like a cloud. Some days there are clouds , other days with rain and other days are cloudless. When it is stormy, I know that soon the clouds will pass. Each day is perfect as it is. Because with no rain there would be no rainbows.