Tag: Uncategorized

Letting go of the Pursuit of Happiness

For us to be truly happy we must let go of the pursuit of happiness

Because when we feel temporarily happy, we desperately cling to it

We become restless and fearful of losing happiness, which causes a vicious circle of suffering

So for us to be truly happy we must be calm and centered

You can’t be truly happy if you’re not calm

So instead of seeking pleasure or avoiding pain

Seek the discomfort of stillness

Look within that restlessness, anger, or hatred

And let go of the pursuit of happiness

Instead of trying to find this elusive happiness, practice the middle path of awareness, peace, and being calm

Each time we fall off the path of clarity & calmness we self reflect, let it go and move forward

From my experience, this way of living seems much more sustainable than chasing elusive happiness

A friend shared this with me and it has enriched my life significantly and I hope it does the same for you

With aloha,

Johnny

A Simple & Uncomplicated Life

A simple & uncomplicated life is for me

I do not need fancy clothes, shoes or any other material goods

True joy is not found in sports cars, jewelry or the amount of money in our bank account

True happiness is not acquired through what we receive in life but what we give to the world

Giving is living

I vow to not hoard money

But to give to those in need

I vow to live a simple life

And to reduce suffering in myself & the world

With aloha,

Johnny

Nature Within

Breathing in I see myself as water, flowing & flexible

Breathing out I see myself as a mountain, strong & stable

Breathing in I see myself as a flower, fresh & beautiful

Breathing out I see myself as space, free & vast

Water, flowing

Mountain, strong

Flower, fresh

Space, free

Breathe, enjoy

With aloha,

Johnny

Dreams

Here I lay

Listening to the soft voice of a yin yoga teacher

In a deep meditation

An American backpacker in a distant land

Byron Bay is the perfect place for those who are searching for self knowledge

A place to heal emotional wounds.

So here I lay in a dark yoga studio

Suddenly tears come down my cheeks

My inner Buddha speaking clearly without the distractions interfering

If I don’t let go of gambling

I let go of my dreams

I let go of my happiness & freedom

My life will read as a tragedy if I don’t change my ways

I’m 6 weeks sober from gambling

Turning my life around 1 day at a time

With aloha,

Johnny Hoffman

Focus on Yourself

Many focus their energy trying to help others

Leaving themselves drained, unhappy and frustrated

They do not realize that you can not give by throwing

By forcing your beliefs on others you fall off your path and push others away from you

Just focus your energy on becoming the best version of yourself

Those who are lost in the darkness will see your light shining

It’s up to them if they want to walk along the side of you or to stay on their path

With aloha,

Johnny Hoffman

Live Your Life

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

Pain is Inevitable, Suffering is Optional.

Pain is inevitable

Suffering is optional

How we think

How we talk

What habits we choose to practice

Cause most of our own suffering

The way out is to look deeply within

How am I causing my own suffering?

Why do I do what I do?

“There is no such thing as enlightened beings, only enlightened activities.”- Shunryu Suzuki

With Aloha,

Johnny

Why I Travel.

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.)

Relax, Nothing is Under Control

The sun will rise
And set
Relax, nothing is under control

Days will go by
People will get sick
Loved ones will die

Jobs will be lost
People will cheat, lie, and push your buttons
Relax, nothing is under control

Our mission is to rise above and stay positive even in the darkest of times
Knowing that everything & everyone is impermanent

We can find joy by letting go of control of others and situations
All we can control is our reaction and attitude to the chaos around us
Resilience is built by not avoiding hard situations but by embracing them with love, compassion, and acceptance.

With aloha,

Johnny