Category: adventure

Keep Your Eyes on God

On the spiritual path there are many obstacles diverting us off towards pleasure, money, or fame

Each time our eyes divert from God we must return them

If we can keep our eyes on our family, friends, coworkers, jobs, bank account, shopping, food, or pets we will be diverted off the path towards God.

We will be lost and afraid in the woods

Not knowing which way to go and suffer tremendously

It takes tremendous conviction to keep going on this path

But the rewards of inner peace, serenity and complete liberation are more precious than diamonds

The path towards God is liberation from all greed, hatred and fear

God brings many the gift of unconditional love which liberates us from all self-centeredness and fear

If we keep our eyes on God we have nothing to fear and our days will be filled more and more with love, joy, and inner peace

With love,

Johnny Hoffman

True Success

True success isn’t found on a business card

It isn’t found on a bank statement

Not on a fancy diploma hanging on the wall

Or a sports car, Rolex, mansion

Success (to me) is happiness

A life full of joy & adventure

Both inside & out

Success is found in kindness & compassion

It’s found in the smile of a baby

And the wisdom of an elder

In the end, we define what a truly successful life is

In my experience, success is not found in the material world but a kind, compassionate and happy life

With aloha,

Johnny

Darkness into Light

From my experience, our suffering can bring much joy

But we must sit with the pain even when we want to run from it

For us to transform, we must get to know the darkest parts of our mind.

Sit with our demons until they don’t scare us anymore

Show compassion & love to the darkest parts of our soul

Surrender to the reality in front of you

Do not fight or run

Sit still & get to know them

They will always be there

But our mind can be a sanctuary, even with the demons; not a warzone

With aloha,

Johnny

Live Your Life

This life in finite

So I will live the life I desire

Go off the beaten path

Not worrying about society expectations

Judgements of others is a sign of their insecurities

Live simply if you want

Pursue life experiences instead of money, fame, and respect

Choose love

Not fear

Create your life through mindful actions, not impulses.

With aloha,

Johnny

Exploitation vs Protection

Is humanities purpose to exploit the world?

Exploit other humans

Exploit mother earth

Exploit are fellow animals

All in the name of greed

Or are we here for another reason?

To love other humans

To cherish mother earth

To protect are fellow animals

All in the name of love

Time will tell which path humanity will take moving forward

For now I choose love over fear

Protection over exploitation

Values over money

My life is my message

With Aloha,

Johnny

Drifter.

A drifter

A vagabond

Never commiting long term to a job

A relationship or location

This is how I choose to live my one life for now

For the open road is welcoming

New people

New experiences

The journey along the windy path into the unknown

Adventures with new friends

New places to explore

Discovering who you are through the adversity of uncertainty

The uncomfortable decisions you have to make that push you to be better

Never stagnating in one spot

Not decaying & mold from staying still too long

I’ll embrace this journey as a vagabond for now

Not knowing where life will take me

Who Knows?

Who knows what is truly good or bad?

When life can change in a mere moment.

Plot twists around every corner.

Our darkest moments can lead to the greatest times in our life.

Like the beautiful lotus flower blooming from dirty mud.

We too can rise from the darkness.

So who knows what is truly good or bad?

Drop the judgment.

Allow faith & curiosity guide you into the path unknown.

The Ghosts of Our Past.

A grandfather & his grandkids sit around a campfire on a cold winters night. The grandkids ask their grandfather to tell them a scary story. The grandfather takes a deep breath, knowing this story could have a huge impact on his grandkids. In the distance, a coyote howls into the deep silence of the forest.

The flame flickers

The moon shines into the cold night

As the grandfather tells his tale

His grandkids hearts drop

As they listen carefully to each word

Our past is not our past

If we refuse to let it go

The wise grandfather proclaimed

The ghosts of the past are real

They are dark creatures

More powerful then any demon

For they torment you

Day or night

They even follow you into your dreams

They steal your joy

Bring endless suffering

These ghosts

Lock you in a jail of regret

“How do you get out of this jail?!”

His grandkids screamed into silence of the night

“It’s simple but difficult” the grandfather proclaimed

The key to your freedom is the power of letting go

If you let go of the attachment, regret, and sorrow of your past the ghosts will disappear into the nights sky

Only to be seen time to time

To guide you on a different path then what led you to your own sufferings

Do not fight the ghosts, that is their fuel

Accept your past with compassion

For the past is gone

This exact moment is what matters

The grandkids slept good in their tents that night knowing that they are not helpless to these ghosts. The grandfather knew his grandkids would most likely have to learn the same way he did, through clinging to his past mistakes of infidelity, lying, and addictions. They will find their own way.

Coming Home.

I have lived in paradise

Warm weather

Palm trees

Tall lush mountains above me

I have travelled far & wide

In search of adventure

Hawaii

Japan

New Zealand

Vietnam

Thailand

I have been tested on this journey

Brought down to my knees

Fearful of uncertainty

But I kept going

Faith in the path unknown

As I pack my bag one last time

Tears fall down my cheeks

Joy of the many great memories

Flooding my mind

Many new friends

So much growth

Beautiful mountains, ocean, & people

It was worth every penny spent

Worth every fearful moment

On my path unknown