The 3-Way Promise of Mahalo: Appreciation, Gratitude, Thankfulness
Differences? Or overflowing abundance of everything good …
I took my first cues from the dictionary for the definitions I share with you below, however I added to them with what I know of these things as Mahalo, my Hawaiian value of living in thankfulness.
They add up to another framework for appreciation, gratitude and thankfulness: To know, to become, and to share.
From Webster - To value justly. Recognition of the quality, value, significance, or magnitude of people and things.
Within Mahalo - Know how much you have at this very moment. Understand how unique you are, and stand tall. Realize there is no one else who is the person you are. To live in appreciation for the richness that makes your life so precious is to simply live in celebration of your sense of self. Take nothing in this day of your life for granted. Take exceptional care of the aloha within you, for it is the breath of your life.
From Webster - The state of being grateful; thankfulness.
Within Mahalo - Become all you are capable of being, by using all your gifts, each and every one of them. Grow into every crevice of your capacity, filling it with worthiness. Test your limits joyfully, and with confidence palena ‘ole (without boundaries). Seek to complete yourself physically, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually. In doing so, you acknowledge who you are in a manner which appreciates what others have done for you. You create prosperity and abundance so you will have more to give.
From Webster - Aware and appreciative of a benefit; and expressive of gratitude.
Within Mahalo - Share of who you are with the utmost respect for those who complete your life. Say “mahalo” or “thank you” often. Speak of your appreciation of others, and it will soften the tone of your voice, giving it both humility, and fullness. People need to hear words spoken from your aloha, and in speaking them you offer a generous gift. Use your own gifts to reveal those which exist in others all around you.
Mahalo is a promise you can make to yourself, to Know, to Become, and to Share.
It is also a promise you can make to others, fully aware of the abundance there is for both of you.
~ Rosa
ALOHA! Just joining us this month? Catch up with this line-up:
- Just one to read here: Mahalo: 3-way Promise, 5-fold Learning
- And some extra credit on our sister site, Joyful Jubilant Learning: A Mahalo November: Learned with 5




Rosa, what incredible riches there are in this one short post! I'm going to have to keep on coming back to it to allow the full meaning and significance to soak in. Thank you.
Joanna
Posted by: Joanna Young | November 05, 2007 at 11:48 PM