Keep moving forward.
On the path unknown.
Life is beautiful.
Life is short.
Our lives are more precious than any diamond or jewel.
Let go of the past.
It weighs done this present moment.
Crushing joy & love.
Don’t fear what’s next.
Anxiety ruins this precious moment.
Have faith.
Trust the uncertainty of the path unknown.
Why do we cling and obsess with the known?
As if we could control everything & everyone around us?
When did we lose our faith in the unknown?
Infinite possibilities lie ahead of us on the path unknown.
Embrace it with excitement & joy.
Two years ago I left my corporate job and moved to Maui to a simpler life. Now I live in New Zealand on a working holiday visa.
Alot has changed in these last two years; both inner & outer. Many amazing sunsets, beautiful ocean views, and amazing mountains. Through my journeys I experienced that happiness is found within. There were dark times living in paradise (Maui) and life isn’t always perfect traveling New Zealand. You bring your insecurities, fears, doubts, unskillful habits, and worries with you every where you go.
There are plenty of unhappy people living in beautiful destinations and many content people living in undesirable cities. Happiness is not a destination, it’s a way of life. A way of life we as individuals must find out on our own. There are many blueprints of other people’s lives to learn from though and many people who will help you along the journey.
You are not alone, but only you can truly help yourself become content with your life.
No pill, book, or material item can replace hard work and commitment. Question everything, even your own thoughts, which are often based on false narratives from past experiences.
This seems difficult but what could be more important than your own contentment? What I find liberating about this message is that we are back in the driver seat of our own life. No one can save us but ourself. We have the power to live the life we truly want to live. It only takes us letting go of old beliefs, habits, and judgments.
Kia Ora,
Johnny Hoffman
This river wanders.
Thoughts constantly flowing.
Constant white noise.
Filling the emptiness.
In meditation.
We sit by the stream.
With compassion.
Observing its ever-lasting flow.
Three coconut trees are planted near the coast of the Island of Maui.
One palm tree focuses its energy on impressing tourists by growing the most delicious coconuts on the island. It seeks constant validation from others.
The second tree wants to be respected for being the tallest coconut tree on the island. It grows its stem thick but not flexible to impress or scare others.
The third coconut tree is small and has average coconuts. It focused its energy on building strong roots deep into the ground.
A massive storm approaches from the north. High winds howl into the darkness of the night. The storm ends swiftly the following morning leaving the coastal town in pieces.
The first tree is uprooted, flying into the depths of the ocean. It spent a majority of its life trying to please others and thus had tremendously weak roots.
The second coconut tree wasn’t flexible enough to weather the storm. It spent its whole life trying to earn respect through fear and power. Its insecurities cracked under the immense power of the storm.
The third coconut tree survives the storm. Its roots were well developed and its stem was flexible in the high winds. It wasn’t living to please others or intimidate them through might.
By focusing your energy on your roots you can weather any storm.
By staying flexible, you can bend with the strong winds of life.
A wave breaks at the shore.
Never to be seen again.
One wave allows room for the next.
It accepts its impermanence.
It allows for its transformation.
The wave is both impermanent & infinite.
Each drop of water is interconnected.
Within the vastness of the ocean.
So are you.
Freedom or security.
Love or fear.
Let go or cling.
Impermanence surrounds every moment.
Keep moving forward.
A vicious storm has almost sunk Pascal’s ship. It was unexpected and disastrous. Will he recover? Or will he be damaged permanently?
Pascal lays still on the main deck.
His breath shallow.
Nearly dead.
His first officer Pablo has taken over in these trying times.
In the coming weeks, Pascal slowly recovers.
Time seems to be in slow motion for Pascal.
All seems clearer after the storm.
Dark clouds clearing to an open sky.
Pascal has realized that his suffering is of his own doing.
Holding onto whats gone.
Going with fear based decisions.
Mis-judgments.
Limiting beliefs.
Pascal vows to do better.
All flawed.
Perfectly imperfect.
There are no idols.
No holy men or women.
No saints.
No sinners.
Only human.
Born of love & fear.
Learning & growing.
There are no enlightened beings.
Only activities.
Worship no idols.
Become your own.
Bon Voyage Young Pascal!
Good luck on your journey!
The sea is calm.
But not your mind.
Anticipation gleaming from your eyes.
Butterflies fluttering in your stomach.
What wonders lie ahead?
What dangers will you have to overcome?
True strength comes from adversity.
True love from pain.
Keep going.
Even if you drown in the deep darkness of the sea.
You will have lived.
Lived with every breath.
Every beat of your heart.
With risk, comes reward.
With letting go, comes freedom.
Bon Voyage Young Pascal.
Into the great unknown.
The Narrow Path 