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
Tag: Poem
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
Indentured Servitude
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
Exploitation vs Protection
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
Question Everything.
Question society
Question your culture
Question your thoughts & behavior
Your diet
Your values
Your opinions, beliefs, and habits
Question if this is truly who you are
Or what you were taught by others
Life is too short to live it blindly
Not questioning what we have been told
Question everything, including yourself
Is this what I truly believe from logical evidence?
By love?
Or is it driven by greed, hatred, or fear?
Lost.
I’m lost in the negativity
Drowning in the sea of news
Death counts on my mind
Economy crashing
Endless news of this pandemic
Fear & anxiety
Run through my mind
The 2nd pandemic
Of our times
I know this will all pass
Impermanence ends all
All we can do is have faith
Faith that things will work out
The way they are suppose too
Ferris Wheel of Life.
The Ferris Wheel of life
Enjoy the views
The sounds
Bask in awe of life
As you turn slowly
Aging
Growing
Ever-changing
Embrace your childlike curiosity
As you notice all the details of nature
Outside & within you
Beauty found everywhere
Love unconditionally
For everything & everyone is impermanent
Enjoy each day alive
Knowing it won’t last forever
The ride will end for you & I
Allowing others to enjoy the ride
Without death, there is no life
Embrace both
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
Kobe & Gigi.
Some of us won’t grow old
Some of us will die too soon
They will not see another beautiful sunset
They won’t see their children grow
Their death is a tragedy
But an important lesson for us all
That life is short
Too short to hold grudges
Too short to be cruel
Too short to hate
Hold the ones you love closely tonight
For we truly don’t know what lies ahead
Show gratitude for your life
Show love to all
RIP Kobe Bryant, Gigi Bryant, & the 7 others who lost their lives today
You all will live on within your family & friends
