Category: mindfulness

Vulnerability: Our Biggest Strength.

Aloha,

Today’s blog post is about being vulnerable. Vulnerability is humanities greatest strength. It takes courage to be completely open and honest about our struggles.

Instagram & Facebook show us highlight reels of other people’s lives, which makes us feel like we aren’t living our lives to the fullest. There is a reason that studies show that heavy social media use is linked to depression, anxiety, and loneliness. We only connect at a surface level in sharing our highlights. Full transparency allows us to connect at a much deeper level.

Everyone has hardships but we rarely (if ever) share them on social media. Why is that? Are we scared that others will pity or judge us? From my experience, others will support and open up to their struggles once we break the ice. Connecting with others in this way is special.

For the past 6 weeks I have been traveling New Zealand on a working holiday visa. I haven’t started the working part of that yet though! LOL. Its hasn’t been perfect though. I spent way more money than expected on my first month of traveling which has caused me anxiety. At times, I have felt lonely in my travels, even when many others were around. Lately I have been having a hard time dealing with boredom and lack of purpose with no job. Lots of self judgements and worrying about what others think of me. Slowly I’m excepting the fact that this is a sabbatical and I will find work in the new year. I need to show some faith in myself once more and enjoy my free time.

Our society could benefit from being more vulnerable with each other. It helps us feel more connected and compassionate to others. Vulnerability takes true courage and strength. We all share the human experience together, let’s help each other live the fullest life that we can.

What have you been struggling with lately?

Namaste,

Johnny Hoffman

Is Happiness a Destination?

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

Expectations=Planned Failures.

I accept that I am flawed and not perfect… So why do I expect the world around me to be perfect?

I see myself and many others suffer from setting high expectations for the world around them. Expectations are planned failures. We expect ever traffic light will be green and every day for the sun to shine. Everyday at work has to run 100% smoothly. We expect the barista to be friendly and helpful. What if we could let go of our high expectations and just enjoy life in the now? We can focus our own energy on improving ourselves and the world around us instead of criticizing others. Sounds like paradise compared to everyday struggle of constantly being disappointed when our expectations aren’t met by our family, friends, and coworkers. We can raise the standards of what we can control(diet, friends, habits, perception) and let go of the expectations of perfection in the world around us.

Another beautiful side effect from this change in perception is that when things do go smoothly it’s so much more enjoyable than ever before. There’s much less complaining, victimization, and mindless gossip when we let go of our high expectations.

There’s no right or wrong way of living our life. But we can suffer much less by being mindful and open minded. We can’t change others into what we want them to be. We can only change our mind set towards others.

With Aloha,

Johnny Hoffman

My Path into the Unknown.

Aloha,

After 18 months of living on the beautiful Island of Maui, I have decided to take a huge step into the unknown. I have decided to fulfill a dream of mine and move overseas for 1 year to New Zealand on a working holiday visa. A mix of excitement, joy, and fear dances around my mind these last couple weeks. Fear is natural to such risky endeavors but I’m choosing to guide my life with the love of the unknown instead of fear. All the new people and experiences that lie ahead sounds exciting to me! I have faith that everything will work out as it always has. Zooming out, every risk I have taken has worked out in the long run. Why should I doubt myself and others when all of my past tells me otherwise? Moving to Maui has prepared me for this even bolder step on my path into the unknown. I left a stable career job on the mainland to move to Maui. Without this critical step, I would not be moving to New Zealand. I am grateful for Maui and the many people who have helped me along the way!

I will be living in hostels all over the north and south islands of New Zealand while working part-time to live full time. I hope to post about my experiences in New Zealand on this blog to help others live more meaningful lives. I want to inspire others to take risks in order to live the life they love. Thank you to those reading this post. I appreciate your time and attention.

 

With Aloha,

Johnny Hoffman

 

I Don’t Know.

Today I will release my need to know.

To control everything & everyone.

I will surrender to the path unknown.

 

I don’t know what lies ahead on my path.

I don’t know if I will ever get married or have kids.

I don’t know what happens after death.

I don’t know what is best for another.

I don’t know what is truly good or bad. 

As-for-me-all-I-know-is-that-I-know-nothing-11

 

 

 

Self-Worth.

Views, likes, and followers

The new currency of self-worth.

 

How many followers does a person need to feel important?

How many likes do you need until you feel complete?

How many views till you’re content with your life?

Will you ever be satisfied?

 

Let go of the constant need for outside validation.

Let go of the obsession with likes, followers, and views.

 

Embrace your mission.

Embrace your purpose.

Your life is much more important the number of followers you have.

Quality over quantity. 

 

 

 

 

Prison Break.

Humanity builds their cellblock from within.

Years of fear, doubt, & worry.

Obsessed with control & power.

False sense of security.

 

Let’s plan a prison break.

Rip the shackles off tonight.

Let go of fear, worry, & doubt.

Embrace the path unknown.

 

Oh, how beautiful true freedom is!

One day worth more than a thousand in my cell.