Sunday in Paradise
Each day I enjoy sharing my thoughts and feelings with all of you. I hope you are nurtured by it in some way. We just watched a film about a group of young adults, who gathered together on the island of Kauai, in the early seventies. At first, there were just thirteen of them and they lived on the beach in tents, away from the other folks on the island. These free spirited folks were eventually arrested for the way they lived. Then, Elizabeth Taylor’s brother bought several acres and allowed them to live on his property. Soon, others followed and they built living structures from wood and plastic to shelter themselves. Some fell in love, had children, raised a family.
Some were veterans of the Vietnam war, others were against that war, most just wanted to live free. They wore very little clothing and some smoked pot. They were escaping the harshness of the world at the time. They called their enclave Camp Taylor and it lasted eight years. The local Hawaiians were envious of the freedom of these young Americans. Soon the authorities got the place shutdown and destroyed. The movie looks back at this idyllic time, in these folks lives, through photos and current interviews of the people. Almost to a person, they said it was the best time of their life and many said it made their life better because of it.
Lou Ann and I lived on the Big Island of Hawaii from 2009 to 2013. We felt a kindred connection to these young people. There is an energy of the islands, the sun, the weather and the beauty that is so attractive. Both of us were always treated with honor by the island people. Lou Ann entered a local Hula group and learned the sacredness of the dance and culture. I played a lot of tennis and walked many miles along beaches and mountain trails and felt so at home. It is called paradise by many. I believe that each of us can create our own paradise, by being in our heart and feeling the connection, to the Earth and it’s inhabitants. It is said that home is where your heart is. I could paraphrase that and say paradise is where your heart is. May all of you find your paradise and live in peace and beauty all the days of your lives. From my island heart to yours, Thomas