Tag: Zen

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

The fellow travelers I meet at hostels 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

Liberation

Let go of the need to be right
Let go of the need to control others
Let go of the need to control your surroundings
Allow others to be who they are
Allow situations to unfold without complaining or controlling anything
True liberation is found when we don’t allow outside situations to hinder our own happiness
True strength found in staying positive even in the most challenging situations

Your life is your message

With aloha,

Johnny

Feeding the Good Wolf

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

Let Go of Control

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

Accepting Others

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

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

The Beauty of Impermanence.

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