Every Monday a Kalani 'Ohana member is invited to inspire those present at our weekly community meeting with a speech, poem, song, quote, meditation or anything else of their choice.
Resident volunteer and filmmaker Chris Roufs shared an inspiration and ensuing video project so spectacular that we couldn't wait to put it on the Kalani blog.
Read the speech Chris gave to us about finding his inner firework at Kalani, and scroll down to view his video at the end of this post.
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FIREWORKS AT KALANI
You don’t have to feel like a waste of space,
You’re original, cannot be replaced.
If you only knew what the future holds,
After a hurricane, comes a rainbow.
Maybe your reason why all the doors are closed,
So you could open one that leads you to the perfect road.
Like a lightning bolt, your heart will blow
And when it’s time you’ll know.
You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine.
Just own the night like the Fourth of July.
Cause baby you’re a firework!
Come on show em what you’re worth!
Make em go, oh, oh, oh.
As you shoot across the sky-y-y!
If you haven’t already figured it out, these are lyrics from a Katy Perry song called 'Firework'.
I had heard this song many times before I came to Kalani this time (my third visit as a volunteer), but I had never really listened to the lyrics very closely.
When I arrived at Kalani again and life slowed down (as it always does when I’m here) the song’s lyrics were pointed out to me by one of my 'Ohana. I took the time to realize that they had some deeper meaning.
That’s one thing I think is so wonderful about this place. Being here slows things down. Knowing that you are a part of this 'Ohana and feeling love and the beauty of nature all around you, allows you the opportunity to go a bit deeper within yourself. To discover your Firework, so to speak.
Shortly after I arrived back home this time I went to Open Mic and I saw the plethora of talents here at Kalani. I remember thinking to myself, “I wish I had something to offer.” I wanted to get up and sing a song, or play an instrument, or recite some poetry, but that didn’t really feel right. Just thinking about it seemed forced. It felt wrong for some reason.
It was shortly after this that I heard Katy’s song again… and I really took the time to listen to the lyrics and then (like Katy sings)… something started to ignite inside. But I also realized that I didn’t need to DO anything to be special or be appreciated, all I needed to do was to search for that Firework in me, that Firework in all of us.
The ONLY thing any of us ever have to BE is ourselves. To try and find that DEEPEST PUREST sense of SELF, the part of us that is PERFECT, with no EGO, no JUDGEMENT, no preconceived BELIEFS. That part of us that is pure JOY!
So one morning while walking toward Kehena beach, with Katy’s song stuck in my head, I turned to two of my 'Ohana and said, "I think I’m gonna make a video to a Katy Perry song." I was going to do it so that everyone could show off their firework, their joy. And I wanted people outside of this place to see how Kalani helps to bring that joy out in each member of its 'Ohana!
I’ve always heard that when you find a project or an idea that you truly believe in, the work you do in order to complete that task feels effortless, that time means nothing while working on something that you love, and that you fall into a kind of zone. That is what this video project was like for me. I think I briefly tapped into my Firework, my pure joy. And I’m ever so grateful to all of my 'Ohana (especially Janice, Stephen and Alissa) for helping me to experience that.
For those of you reading and watching this that have never been to Kalani, I hope you catch a glimpse of the JOY that you too can hopefully find here. I hope you make the journey very soon, and I hope I get to meet you here in paradise.
Mahalo Nui Loa 'Ohana! May this little video always make you smile and warm your heart as it does mine.
Chris Roufs
