What’s Good Or Bad?

What’s truly good or bad?

Thanks to impermanence everything changes.

My darkest times have led to moments of liberation, joy, and enlightenment

So I don’t know if it was bad or good when I have self destructed in previous relationships or with my gambling addiction.

When things appeared to be falling apart they were really falling in place.

In the dark, there is some light

In the wrong, there is some right

Every storms runs out of power, the trick is to not run from it

Embrace the darkness & allow it to transform you into someone you couldn’t of imagined

As my teacher Thich Nhat Hanh said..
No mud, no lotus

Through deep suffering there is joy

With aloha,

Johnny

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

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

Deep Compassion to Ourself

When I child suffers, he or she cries a lot. They are hurt and in pain. A mother can transform their child’s suffering into tears of joy by listening and showing loving compassion to their child. Soon the child is smiling and joyful. I have seen this and experienced in real time.

You can do the same with your most inner child. Showing deep compassion to the hurt, misunderstood, and anxious parts of ourself. This is the practice of healing ourselves and the world. This is a way to transform suffering into joy in our own body and mind. 🙏🏻

Namaste,

Johnny

Focus on Yourself

Many focus their energy trying to help others

Leaving themselves drained, unhappy and frustrated

They do not realize that you can not give by throwing

By forcing your beliefs on others you fall off your path and push others away from you

Just focus your energy on becoming the best version of yourself

Those who are lost in the darkness will see your light shining

It’s up to them if they want to walk along the side of you or to stay on their path

With aloha,

Johnny Hoffman

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

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

Self-Love

When I eat vegetables

I show love to my body

When I eat fruit

I heal my body

When I eat beans & whole grains

I nourish my body

When I exercise

I practice self-love

I vow to treat my body with love

For this is my one life

What if your one focus this year was loving yourself?” -Timber Hawkeye

With Aloha,

Johnny

Choosing Compassion 3 Times A Day

Will you choose compassion?

Or apathy?

Will you choose curiosity?

Or tradition?

Will you choose peace?

Or taste pleasure?

Each day we can choose what world we want to live in.

Each meal deciding the fate of innocent animals.

Each meal deciding the future of our species.

Each meal deciding our health outcome.

We vote with our wallets each day & meal.

The first step is awareness.

The next is action.

Consider a vegan diet & lifestyle.

With Aloha,

Johnny

Loving Me

This poem is inspired by Kid Cudi’s song “Lovin’ Me” off Man on the Moon III: The Chosen One

Hell & heaven live within us

The inner voice that tells us that we aren’t good enough

Strong enough

Pretty enough

That we aren’t worth love

The seeds of self-hatred sprout into suffering

Only self compassion can lead us out of the dark

Into the light of peace & love

Self love being key to humanities transformation into a more peaceful species

If we don’t love ourself

If we can’t show compassion to ourself

How can we share love & compassion with others?

With Aloha,

Johnny

Link to “Lovin’ Me” by Kid Cudi