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
From single cell
To hairless apes
Humans left their jungle home
For the great unknown
Soon they ate what they could to survive
Then hunter-gathers began to settle
Building thriving empires on maize, rice, wheat, & rye
The next evolution of the human species
No more need to slaughter
No more need to abuse & exploit their fellow earthlings
In 2021, humanity is still stuck in the past
Stuck in greed, tradition, & fear
Some though are waking up to the suffering of the world & it’s beautiful creatures
Choosing compassion at every meal
If humanity takes the next step towards a vegan world
The world will heal
The animals will live
Pandemics will end
With Aloha,
Johnny
Check out the documentaries “forks over knives”, “cowspiracy”, & “dominion” for why switching to a vegan diet is crucial for saving ourself & earth. Check out nutritionfacts.org for how to eat a healthy plant based diet.
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
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
Culture wants me a certain way
Break under the pressure
Bend my values
Ignore my instinct of compassion
Indulge my ego
Feed my darker side
How do I pave my own path with such pressure?
Constant flashing lights
Tell me to eat foods against my values of health & compassion
The talking heads on the screen tell me to fear the world
They have enticed me my entire life to choose greed, hatred, fear & apathy
Dividing me into a million labels
For me to fear the other
Not today
I will choose another path
Paved with compassion, understanding, & love
This is the path of the peaceful warrior
A path that doesn’t fight greed, anger, & hatred
It just focuses on growing peace by showing compassion, love, & understanding to all
Divinity is found within all
Even if they don’t realize it
Buried under years of conditioning
Fear, anger & greed cover the jewel that is your true nature
To be kind
To help
To love
Wisdom is the process of unlearning
Unlearning old habits & beliefs that hold back us from touching true joy
Allowing us to see our true nature
Divinity is found
Within you and I
But also ego
All humans have this battle within
Dark & light
Devil & angel
Ego & divine
Grow the divine fertile seeds with love & compassion
Acknowledge the ego
Bow to it
Feed it carefully
Feed it with understanding
Care for the darker side
For in caring for the dark we grow the light
When we are lost
When we hit the lowest of lows
There is always light
Light within us
Surrounding us at every moment
Let the wind dry your tears
For every storm will pass
The sun will rise once more
Bringing light into the darkness
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
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.
