Category: Poem

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

Lost at Sea

At times we can feel so lost

Lost in an emotion

Lost in the worries of the path unknown ahead

Lost in the past mistakes & regrets

I know what it feels to be lost

Not knowing what is up or down

My life falling in pieces

What I thought was the end was actually the beginning of something much more beautiful

For every storm runs out of energy

The trick is to not run from it but embrace it

Life doesn’t give us what we want

It gives us what we need

To grow, adapt and eventually move on from

So if you’re feeling lost just know everything is temporary

That each day can be a start of something fresh and beautiful

With aloha,

Johnny

To Truly Live

To truly live
We must die each moment
We must let go of the past
Not obsessed over the future
Not worried about what could go wrong
Just enjoying this moment


Naturally our mind will wander like clouds in the sky
With mindfulness we anchor the mind to our breathe
Breathing in we know we are of the nature to grow old
Breathing out we know one day we will die
Knowing this we vow to live each day like it’s our last

We look at all life through the lens of compassion

We vow not live our life full of fear, anger, and hatred

Instead we will water the seeds of compassion, peace, and love each day

So they bloom at any moment
Living this way will benefit yourself, the planet and the ones around you

With aloha,

Johnny

Dreams

Here I lay

Listening to the soft voice of a yin yoga teacher

In a deep meditation

An American backpacker in a distant land

Byron Bay is the perfect place for those who are searching for self knowledge

A place to heal emotional wounds.

So here I lay in a dark yoga studio

Suddenly tears come down my cheeks

My inner Buddha speaking clearly without the distractions interfering

If I don’t let go of gambling

I let go of my dreams

I let go of my happiness & freedom

My life will read as a tragedy if I don’t change my ways

I’m 6 weeks sober from gambling

Turning my life around 1 day at a time

With aloha,

Johnny Hoffman

New Year’s Resolution

The new year is here

Will we repeat the same patterns of behavior?

Or will we grow and change into a better version of ourselves?

Many of us(including me)

Can envision ourselves in the future

Wiser, stronger, calmer, and healthier

But few can say no to whatever derails us from this vision

It takes grace, dedication, and determination to build a life worth living

If not now, then when?

With Aloha,

Johnny

A Covid Christmas & New Year

What a fitting end to 2021

Isolated from the world

A whole family coughing into 2022

But we will survive this storm

Everything is impermanent

No need to worry or stress over things I can’t control

No need to worry about my finances, I have enough!

The end of the year is a great time to be grateful for what you have

I will not wish for more

I will not wish for good health

But for grace, determination, and dedication on this path less followed

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

Pain is Inevitable, Suffering is Optional.

Pain is inevitable

Suffering is optional

How we think

How we talk

What habits we choose to practice

Cause most of our own suffering

The way out is to look deeply within

How am I causing my own suffering?

Why do I do what I do?

“There is no such thing as enlightened beings, only enlightened activities.”- Shunryu Suzuki

With Aloha,

Johnny

Feeding the Good Wolf

There are two wolves inside of us.

Always at battle.

A good wolf.

That is kind, brave, and loving.

A bad wolf.

That is fearful, angry, and greedy.

The one you choose to feed.

Is the one that grows.

To end this constant battle.

You must show deep compassion & love to the bad wolf.

Feed the good wolf with how you talk to yourself, others, and your actions in the world.

With Aloha,

Johnny

Accepting Others

Accept others

For who they are today

Not what you think they should be

The ego wants to control everything & everyone

While the divine accepts & loves others for who they are today, no matter how “flawed” they are

There is a wise zen master in all of us knows that others will change on their own pace (or not change at all)

Focus the energy you have used arguing or controlling others on becoming the best version of yourself

Your life is your message

“We are all mangoes on the same tree, ripening at different times.”

With Aloha,

Johnny