gratitude – The Narrow Path

The Power of Gratitude

Gratitude is the antidote for all bitterness, resentment and hatred.

Next time you feel deep resentments towards a friend, family member or boss try to remember how grateful you are for them. Write it down and meditate on gratitude.

Liberation from all resentments is a joyful experience. When we hold onto resentment, bitterness and hatred we become ill. The only way to feel healthy again is to forgive others and express gratitude.

If someone is truly toxic to us we can still bow out and thank them for teaching us a lesson of what not to do. Gratitude does not mean excepting harmful behavior from others. We can walk away with gratitude and love for them.

Gratitude is a beautiful practice plus it’s free and available at any moment.

Your brother,

Johnny

Sitting With Uncertainty

There might be a heaven
There might be reincarnation
Or there could be nothing
I do not claim to know anything for certain
When I am firm with a belief of what happens after life
I lose all grace
I lose all faith
I lose all wonder

Instead of claiming to know anything

I sit closely to uncertainty

And whole universe opens itself to me

It’s everlasting wisdom humbles me each day

Be weary of those who claim to know anything for certain

With aloha,

Johnny

A Simple & Uncomplicated Life

A simple & uncomplicated life is for me

I do not need fancy clothes, shoes or any other material goods

True joy is not found in sports cars, jewelry or the amount of money in our bank account

True happiness is not acquired through what we receive in life but what we give to the world

Giving is living

I vow to not hoard money

But to give to those in need

I vow to live a simple life

And to reduce suffering in myself & the world

With aloha,

Johnny

Relax, Nothing is Under Control

The sun will rise
And set
Relax, nothing is under control

Days will go by
People will get sick
Loved ones will die

Jobs will be lost
People will cheat, lie, and push your buttons
Relax, nothing is under control

Our mission is to rise above and stay positive even in the darkest of times
Knowing that everything & everyone is impermanent

We can find joy by letting go of control of others and situations
All we can control is our reaction and attitude to the chaos around us
Resilience is built by not avoiding hard situations but by embracing them with love, compassion, and acceptance.

With aloha,

Johnny

The Beauty of Impermanence.

Why do we only appreciate places, people, and pets when they are near their end?

Or worst off when they are already gone..

We know logically that all things must come to an end.

A sunrise will turn to sunset, leading to a new day.

Everything & everyone has a shelf life.

Could we feel Impermanence emotionally instead of purely logically?

Most run around ungrateful for life.

That life SHOULD be a certain way.

Instead of embracing the uncertainty.

And being grateful for what they have.

Many live as if they will never die.

Only to never truly live.

What if we could live each day knowing that our life and everything/everyone will end?

Would we cherish even the worst of pain?

Knowing that life itself is precious.

Gratitude is the antidote to anger & resentment.

Being mindful of the impermanence of life is key to enjoying what we have today.

Starting today we can build a better life for ourselves & the world around us.

With Aloha,

Johnny

Life is Precious.

You are loved

Precious

Important

Your life matters

A continuation of your ancestors

A rebirth of a dying star

A diamond in the rough

In the vast infinite universe

How quickly we forget

The preciousness of life

Including our own

Thank You!!!

Thank you farmers for growing my vegetables.

Thank you farm workers for bearing the withering sun.

Thank you food packers and factory workers.

Thank you truck drivers.

Thank you grocery store clerk’s.

Thank you police officers.

Thank you fireman.

Thank you soldiers.

Thank you to dish washers, cleaners, bussers, servers, cashier’s, office workers, engineers, doctors, lawyers, laborers, salesman, and stockers.

I’m grateful for your hard work. 🙏🏼

DNAncestors.

My ancestors walk with me.

They live on in my DNA.

An English sailor.

A German farmer.

An Italian factory worker.

A Spanish settler in Mexico.

An Aztec Warrior.

A West African slave.

How did you survive disease?

War-torn countries.

Blatant racism.

Food scarcity.

Unbearable suffering.

Because of your perseverance & strength.

I have this opportunity to live.

Thank you.

Gratitude.

I breathe in.

I smile.

How wonderful it is to be alive!

Joy pulsates through my body.

A smile lights across my face.

My heart beats with compassion.

My lungs full of gratitude.

Grateful for pain.

Heartbreak.

My breath.

And Joy.

Grateful to be alive.

I will smile.

I will laugh.

I will dance.

For life is impermanent.

Thank you life.

Thank you impermanence.

Thank you.