"Hawaii is not a state of mind, but a state of grace"
About this Quote
Paul Theroux’s words invite readers to see Hawaii through a lens that goes far beyond its picturesque beaches and popularized image as a tropical paradise. While many imagine Hawaii as merely an idyllic retreat, a mental escape from everyday concerns, Theroux challenges that view and suggests Hawaii escapes even the realm of psychological or emotional constructs. For him, Hawaii is not a fantasy conjured by wishful thinking, nor a mood one can adopt. It is something deeper, elevated, and spiritual: a state of grace.
To call Hawaii a “state of grace” imbues it with qualities of blessing, serenity, and perhaps even redemption. Grace, in spiritual or poetic terms, is unearned and transcendent; it is a condition bestowed rather than achieved, a harmony that feels both precious and fleeting. Hawaii, then, is not simply a setting for leisure or escape, but a living experience, distinct and transformative. Those who encounter it genuinely are invited into a world apart, where natural beauty, cultural richness, and a profound sense of place combine to offer something rare and almost sacred.
Theroux’s phrasing encourages respect for the authentic Hawaii, a Hawaii that resists superficial consumption and commodification. Rather than trivialize the islands as a pleasant diversion or a backdrop for self-indulgence, his words point toward the humility and openness required to truly appreciate their uniqueness. Hawaii’s “state of grace” is something one might only enter by shedding expectations and embracing presence, allowing the islands’ spiritual, historical, and environmental dimensions to reveal themselves.
In a world often defined by restlessness and distraction, Theroux’s statement is an invitation to approach Hawaii, and perhaps the world at large, with reverence and gratitude. The islands are not just a place to visit, or even a feeling to adopt, but a gift to be experienced with mindfulness and respect.
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