Page 2 - MidWeek - Dec 29, 2021

2 MIDWEEK DECEMBER 29, 2021
Treasures From Oral History
Generous listening is powered by curiosity ... (and) involves a kind of vulnerability — a willingness to be surprised, to let go of assumptions and
Ttake in ambiguity. — Krista Tippett
he sun, sloping through morning freshness, cast a glow
TLessons Learned: 2021
on her front door. Into this soft light stepped the woman I did not yet know, chanting a Ha- waiian welcome. I was struck into stillness as “chicken skin” rippled over me and drew me in. I was enchanted. And so we began the oral history in- terview for which we were meeting. My attentive listening released her passions and joys, and we became wrapped in a cocoon of mutual connection; I was loving her story, and she was loving being heard.
who enchanted me with a Ha- waiian welcome has become a close friend. At a recent party, she and her husband dedicated to me and my husband a song whose lyrics were “Our hearts are holding hands across the miles.” And no matter how far I travel from those I have en- countered on this oral history journey of mine, I, too, feel as if our hearts are holding hands across the miles.
Jane Marshall Goodsill is the author of the recently published book “Voices of Hawai‘i: Stories of the Gen- eration that Shaped the Aloha State.” Visit voicesofhawaii. com.
Chasing The Light is pro- duced by Robin Stephens Rohr and Lynne Johnson.
ake nothing for granted ... after all, life is a gift, as are relationships, and you don’t want relationships and your time to drift into that
prophetic Joni Mitchell line: “don’t it always seem to go, that you don’t know what you got ‘til it’s gone.” I said goodbye to a few more friends in 2021. But I really didn’t, because there were still few formal services, few final tributes allowed. I did get to say aloha (with 100 others) pre-omicron at a beautiful December life celebration to a friend that included vintage pictures, video, songs, speeches, laughter, love and tears. I even got to perform an air guitar tribute. And while this get-together came a year late, it still allowed many a calming sense of completion and peace. Mahalo and amen, Jerry.
By listening, people can build strong foundations with others in their lives.
Ifit’stobe,it’suptome...Ifirstheardthisex- pression here 20 years ago at Delorese Gregoire’s invigorating “Winner’s Camp” for teens. It rings true every day: Be the change you want to see, don’t wait for others or make excuses, figure out how to get it done. Be a leader in your own way (even if just for a day) rather than play the pawn. I hear people say, “I don’t have time” for ... whatever. But that’s all you do have — time. No matter how busy you are, it’s your time. Take charge; don’t forfeit time. I under- stand the trials of dealing with kids, jobs and life’s necessities, but strive to make small strides to gain some control. Never more so than during a pandemic we must live, love, learn, laugh, and not let it all weigh too heavy — yes, even after two trying years!
Gathering oral history in- volves sitting together where you will not be interrupted, and asking progressively deep- er questions: How did your family get to Hawai‘i? Tell me about your ancestors. What do you remember about your
More than questioning, re- sponsiveness is key — laugh- ing with those who say some- thing funny, or grieving if the story turns sad. Tracking en- thusiasm with enthusiasm and shyness with shyness, we cre- ate an environment of empathy which enables interviewees to share freely. We then become a catalyst for them to create a
This sort of interview with children can make them feel special and will reinforce bonds with them. Speak as if they are little adults: What is the most exciting thing in your life? What makes you want to laugh? Who makes you feel safe, and why? What are your dreams? What “super power” do you possess?
grandparents? What were they called? Where did they come from? What were their tal- ents? What do you remember
New Century Schoolbook bold (scaled H 73.6)
doing with, or learning from, them? Tell me about your life, schools, life experiences, suc- cesses and failures.
precious treasury of their life experiences.
KELLEY
Generous listening can bring the unexpected. The woman
with Jane Marshall Goodsill
Change is good, as long as it’s good change ...
ponder that concept as we approach the 2022 elec- tions, or possible recalibrations of your work/life choices, including where to live and other decisions you may face. It’s often fair to hear the cry for change from the dissatisfied, but formulate what that change might look like. If you believe we should simply toss ‘em all out and elect newbies, well that only works well if the new people are actually “better.” The “grass is always greener” fallacy might be smart to consider before making a headlong, under-developed leap into a new job/career, yet analysis paralysis will literally get you nowhere.
It’s now 2022 ... and time to think about it ... john@thinkaboutithawaii.com