This life in finite
So I will live the life I desire
Go off the beaten path
Not worrying about society expectations
Judgements of others is a sign of their insecurities
Live simply if you want
Pursue life experiences instead of money, fame, and respect
Choose love
Not fear
Create your life through mindful actions, not impulses.
With aloha,
Johnny
Travelling is liberating
It opens my eyes to different cultures & people
It challenges me
It enriches and expands my existence on this world
Exploring the outside world often leads to exploring the inside
New challenges bring growth
The fellow travelers I meet broaden my understanding of the world
One step can lead to a thousand
New connections and inspiration for the next adventure
Travelling will not make you happy or complete your life
But it can expand, enrich, and enlighten your life if you allow it too
With Aloha,
Johnny
(Backstory, I have traveled and lived in Hawaii; backpacked New Zealand, Vietnam, Japan, and Thailand. My next travels will be to Italy, Croatia, and Greece.)
A drifter
A vagabond
Never commiting long term to a job
A relationship or location
This is how I choose to live my one life for now
For the open road is welcoming
New people
New experiences
The journey along the windy path into the unknown
Adventures with new friends
New places to explore
Discovering who you are through the adversity of uncertainty
The uncomfortable decisions you have to make that push you to be better
Never stagnating in one spot
Not decaying & mold from staying still too long
I’ll embrace this journey as a vagabond for now
Not knowing where life will take me
I have lived in paradise
Warm weather
Palm trees
Tall lush mountains above me
I have travelled far & wide
In search of adventure
Hawaii
Japan
New Zealand
Vietnam
Thailand
I have been tested on this journey
Brought down to my knees
Fearful of uncertainty
But I kept going
Faith in the path unknown
As I pack my bag one last time
Tears fall down my cheeks
Joy of the many great memories
Flooding my mind
Many new friends
So much growth
Beautiful mountains, ocean, & people
It was worth every penny spent
Worth every fearful moment
On my path unknown
Why do we cling and obsess with the known?
As if we could control everything & everyone around us?
When did we lose our faith in the unknown?
Infinite possibilities lie ahead of us on the path unknown.
Embrace it with excitement & joy.
Where do I stay?
Where do I go?
Path unknown.
Will I be able to let go of obsessing about the known?
Will I be able to embrace this path of newly found freedom?
Aloha,
Today’s blog post is about being vulnerable. Vulnerability is humanities greatest strength. It takes courage to be completely open and honest about our struggles.
Instagram & Facebook show us highlight reels of other people’s lives, which makes us feel like we aren’t living our lives to the fullest. There is a reason that studies show that heavy social media use is linked to depression, anxiety, and loneliness. We only connect at a surface level in sharing our highlights. Full transparency allows us to connect at a much deeper level.
Everyone has hardships but we rarely (if ever) share them on social media. Why is that? Are we scared that others will pity or judge us? From my experience, others will support and open up to their struggles once we break the ice. Connecting with others in this way is special.
For the past 6 weeks I have been traveling New Zealand on a working holiday visa. I haven’t started the working part of that yet though! LOL. Its hasn’t been perfect though. I spent way more money than expected on my first month of traveling which has caused me anxiety. At times, I have felt lonely in my travels, even when many others were around. Lately I have been having a hard time dealing with boredom and lack of purpose with no job. Lots of self judgements and worrying about what others think of me. Slowly I’m excepting the fact that this is a sabbatical and I will find work in the new year. I need to show some faith in myself once more and enjoy my free time.
Our society could benefit from being more vulnerable with each other. It helps us feel more connected and compassionate to others. Vulnerability takes true courage and strength. We all share the human experience together, let’s help each other live the fullest life that we can.
What have you been struggling with lately?
Namaste,
Johnny Hoffman
Two years ago I left my corporate job and moved to Maui to a simpler life. Now I live in New Zealand on a working holiday visa.
Alot has changed in these last two years; both inner & outer. Many amazing sunsets, beautiful ocean views, and amazing mountains. Through my journeys I experienced that happiness is found within. There were dark times living in paradise (Maui) and life isn’t always perfect traveling New Zealand. You bring your insecurities, fears, doubts, unskillful habits, and worries with you every where you go.
There are plenty of unhappy people living in beautiful destinations and many content people living in undesirable cities. Happiness is not a destination, it’s a way of life. A way of life we as individuals must find out on our own. There are many blueprints of other people’s lives to learn from though and many people who will help you along the journey.
You are not alone, but only you can truly help yourself become content with your life.
No pill, book, or material item can replace hard work and commitment. Question everything, even your own thoughts, which are often based on false narratives from past experiences.
This seems difficult but what could be more important than your own contentment? What I find liberating about this message is that we are back in the driver seat of our own life. No one can save us but ourself. We have the power to live the life we truly want to live. It only takes us letting go of old beliefs, habits, and judgments.
Kia Ora,
Johnny Hoffman
Aloha,
After 18 months of living on the beautiful Island of Maui, I have decided to take a huge step into the unknown. I have decided to fulfill a dream of mine and move overseas for 1 year to New Zealand on a working holiday visa. A mix of excitement, joy, and fear dances around my mind these last couple weeks. Fear is natural to such risky endeavors but I’m choosing to guide my life with the love of the unknown instead of fear. All the new people and experiences that lie ahead sounds exciting to me! I have faith that everything will work out as it always has. Zooming out, every risk I have taken has worked out in the long run. Why should I doubt myself and others when all of my past tells me otherwise? Moving to Maui has prepared me for this even bolder step on my path into the unknown. I left a stable career job on the mainland to move to Maui. Without this critical step, I would not be moving to New Zealand. I am grateful for Maui and the many people who have helped me along the way!
I will be living in hostels all over the north and south islands of New Zealand while working part-time to live full time. I hope to post about my experiences in New Zealand on this blog to help others live more meaningful lives. I want to inspire others to take risks in order to live the life they love. Thank you to those reading this post. I appreciate your time and attention.
With Aloha,
Johnny Hoffman
I am home.
I have arrived.
Present in this moment.
Focused on my breathe.
Letting go of my attachments.
My fears & doubts.
I am home.
I have arrived.
In the now.
Path Unknown. 