How Tiki can save the World!

(okay, so maybe not. But, hyperbole aside it could certainly teach us something about civility and getting along.)

I enjoy many things about Tiki culture; the music, the general aesthetic, rum drinks...  but, one of the things I find quite magical is the community.  There is a spirit of inclusiveness and comaradery that I personally have never before encountered with any other group or organization. There are people of all different political viewpoints, sexual orientations, religions and more that are able to come together and share a drink, some laughs and good conversations.  We focus on what unites us as human beings, not what divides us. The world desperately needs this message this right now.

We live in a fast paced, stressful world. A world that is deeply divided (especially in this country right now) and we need to take a deep breath and try to relax a little and remember, we are all in this together.  I believe it's important to stand up and fight for the things you believe in, but when you become rigid and unwilling to compromise, it is easy to give in to hate. And hate is a poison which hurts you as much as the thing you hate.   Being constantly outraged or offended all the time is exhausting.  Like Elsa we need to "Let it Go".

I'd like to paraphrase a quote from a man I greatly admire, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.:

"We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies."

In this turbulent political climate that we find ourselves in, it may sound naive or even disingenuous to be crying out, "can't we all just get along?"   But, I truly believe most people would rather be friends than enemies and I have seen proof of it over and over.  In of all places a dimly lit Tiki bar. 

Tiki Lifestyle, call it escapism, call it the 'Spirit of Aloha', but I and many other people have felt it and some of us try to live it. Yes, it is difficult to avoid giving in to the anger and frustration that comes on a daily basis, but it worth the effort.  Before you laugh and write off my cheesy sentiment, why don't you try it first?

I will leave you with another quote. This time from Sam in the Lord of the Rings:

 "There's still some good in the world, and it's worth fighting for."

We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/martinluth143179.html?src=t_hate

We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/martinluth143179.html?src=t_hate

We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/martinluth143179.html?src=t_hate

We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/martinluth143179.html?src=t_hate