One of the greatest resources Hawaii has, is the Aloha-spirit that in many ways resemble Christian kindness, but coming from a more aware and conscious effort to simply share and be generous at heart. Can this be imported and implemented in Sweden, I wondered almost 20 years ago when I came home from my first visit. I’ve wished and prayed for that, as well as tried to spread myself, when possible. And…. it has! Stockholm has changed! Stockholm, Sweden, used to be a very cold, busy and snobby city, yet many years behind with fashion trends (in comparison to Copenhagen for example). And most of all, a city where everybody rushes to hop onto the subway, and preferably also on the right side of the train, to arrive closest to one’s exit. This is no longer so. And I’m so relieved!

Other things that I’m grateful for, and that I’ve been on the receiving end of here this last decade, is many neighbours who have greeted me friendly, where I’ve stayed, trust in me when I’ve had to pay late, been offered several awesome apartments to rent, received compliments by strangers on the street, offered assistance to open a door or carry something, as well as shared small talk in common areas, whether doing laundry, standing in an elevator, or attending church. So, while Swedish people still can be hard to get to know and make friends with, if you haven’t known each other since childhood or have kids that are, there is another openness and kindness now, that I hope is a seed of Aloha.

Photo of a Hibiscus flower, the state flower of Hawaii, growing in my kitchen.