where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
-Saint Francis of Assisi
Tag: mindfulness
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
Our Own Life is Our Message.
What do you want to be remembered for?
The shiny sports car?
A fancy corporate title?
Or is there more to life than accumulation and status?
I want to be remembered as a compassionate person.
As someone who reduced the amount of suffering in this world.
Who left this world a little more peaceful then when I arrived.
Not through talk alone but through mindful action.
Our own life is our message.
With Aloha,
Johnny
Love vs Fear
Every decision is either motivated by love or fear.
If we choose love, we will build a life we love.
If we choose fear, we will build a life we fear.
Each decision, big or small is important.
Choose love.
Greed.
How will we break from the spell of money and power?
Caring more about the dollar then human life
Living as if our bank account is the only thing that matters
Sacrificing our grandparents for the dow jones
Even in crisis, the rich get richer
Leaving crumbs for the rest
I’m not a revolutionary
But a man who questions everything
Especially my own life
I will look within
Within my greed
Doing my best
To choose generosity over greed
And the love of life over the fear of losing money
I’ll Stay in my Own Lane.
I won’t change you
I won’t judge you
I won’t argue with you
I’ll stay in my own lane
For life is too short for me to focus my energy on others
Telling them what they should or shouldn’t do
My work will be to accept all as they are
For I’m no god nor tyrant
No dictator or ruler
My path is mine to walk
No one can walk it for me
And I can not force you to change
Grow & change in your own time
Or not!
Who am I to judge?
I have plenty to work on
Much growth to be had
Any energy spent on you would be wasted
For my life is my message
If others follow
That’s great
If they don’t
That’s fine too!
I’ll stay in my own lane
Living Our Values.
Compassion begins with me
Peace begins with me
Love begins with me
How I talk
How I listen
How I eat
How I breathe
How I write
I must live my values in order to make the world a better place
I must practice faith that what I do matters in an infinite universe
Sexual Responsibility.
Same song & dance
As I leave in the middle of the night
Regret
Sorrow
Same song & dance
Sex with another woman without commitment
Trying to fill the void
Fill the void in my heart
I must do better
Burn it to the Ground.
Lighter fluid & matches
Ashes flutter in the darkness of the night
My fancy clothes, trinkets, and stuff melting into the nothingness of my once cluttered home
A weight has been lifted
Holding me back from living the life I was born to live
Freedom
Freedom from fear
Freedom from stuff
Freedom from career aspirations
Freedom from obsessing about status, money, and power.
“What designer sofa defines me as a human being?”
“The liberator who destroyed my property has realigned my perceptions.”
“It’s only when we lost everything, that we are free to do anything.”
-Fight Club
Which Path Will I Take?
There are many forks in the road.
Left or right?
Indecision paralyzes me.
Fear fills my mind.
My mind racing in circles.
Anxiety filling each moment.
Who knows where each path will go?
Maybe I could let go of this fear.
And pick up love.
Embrace the adventure that life truly is.
Curiosity can fill the space where anxiety once was.
All will work out on the path unknown.
The Narrow Path 