In Hawai`i, we have a saying. "A`a i ka hula." It means Dare to Dance. And it isn’t simply an admonishment for shy hula dancers. It’s a call to action, a call to boldly LIVE your life. As a followup to the blog entry of February 19th on doing what you love so that the riches will follow, I’m going to spotlight one bold and amazing goddess who IS daring to dance.

Teri did not give up her day job to follow her dream of a bookstore/gift shop where people could meet for coffee, spontaneous hula, cultural classes, and all manner of gathering and sharing. Her day job gave her up over a year ago and she revisited her dream. Was it possible? Could she do it? In this economy?

Yet, if not now, when? Like the woman who planted daffodils one bulb at a time, Teri took one baby step at a time. Developing a business plan, applying for loans, finding a space, painting, hammering, and filling shelves. With the help of a small community of women, Kalele Bookstore and Divine Expressions opened in Kaunakakai, Moloka`i the day after Teri’s fiftieth birthday.

Teri is a living embodiment of the aloha spirit. Born and raised in Hawai`i, her welcoming, nurturing presence was previously exhibited in service of some luxury hotel. Now she’ll be putting those gifts to work in support of her own dream. Exhilarating, scary, joyful, and okay, I’ll say it, daring. Will Kalele Bookstore and Divine Expressions be successful? It already is! Not only because we women are flocking to her story for coffee, a respite, or a conversation. It’s a success because Teri is doing what we all need to do at this time of our lives: daring to dance.