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
True freedom is found when we let go of whatever holds us back
This includes unneeded stuff.
True freedom is letting go of trying to control everything and everyone
The only thing you have control over is your reaction to the world around you
Let others live their life, grow, and learn from their mistakes in their own time
It’s not your responsibility to heal or save others
Lead by example
With Aloha, Johnny
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
31 years
I have loved
I have learned
I have met so many great people
Seen so many new places
Experienced the beauty this world offers
I’m content with the life I have lived
Even with the challenges each day brings
I’m grateful for life
Here is to each day alive
“Life is a test, gratitude is the answer.” -Timber Hawkeye
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
I will do my best
To not gossip
To not judge
To not be violent with my speech or actions
Society is made up of individuals like you & I
My changing our-self
We in fact change the world
With Aloha,
Johnny Hoffman
Why do we only appreciate places, people, and pets when they are near their end?
Or worst off when they are already gone..
We know logically that all things must come to an end.
A sunrise will turn to sunset, leading to a new day.
Everything & everyone has a shelf life.
Could we feel Impermanence emotionally instead of purely logically?
Most run around ungrateful for life.
That life SHOULD be a certain way.
Instead of embracing the uncertainty.
And being grateful for what they have.
Many live as if they will never die.
Only to never truly live.
What if we could live each day knowing that our life and everything/everyone will end?
Would we cherish even the worst of pain?
Knowing that life itself is precious.
Gratitude is the antidote to anger & resentment.
Being mindful of the impermanence of life is key to enjoying what we have today.
Starting today we can build a better life for ourselves & the world around us.
With Aloha,
Johnny
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
I’m an indentured servant in the 21st century
Not to a single person
But to my discover and capital one credit cards
Commercials taught me I needed these precious cards
They they would bring me joy
The opposite was true
For every time I gambled
The shackles on my wrists got tighter
Everytime I mindlessly consumed
The shackles got tighter
The thousands I spent at coffee shops was all to dig myself deeper into financial slavery
Until one day I awoke to my servitude
Realizing my freedom has been stripped from me slowly each day from my unwise decisions
Now aware
I will be more mindful
I will practice discipline
I will practice compassion
I will practice transparency
I will break from indentured servitude
One day at a time
With aloha,
Johnny
Is humanities purpose to exploit the world?
Exploit other humans
Exploit mother earth
Exploit are fellow animals
All in the name of greed
Or are we here for another reason?
To love other humans
To cherish mother earth
To protect are fellow animals
All in the name of love
Time will tell which path humanity will take moving forward
For now I choose love over fear
Protection over exploitation
Values over money
My life is my message
With Aloha,
Johnny
The Narrow Path 