The new year is here
Will we repeat the same patterns of behavior?
Or will we grow and change into a better version of ourselves?
Many of us(including me)
Can envision ourselves in the future
Wiser, stronger, calmer, and healthier
But few can say no to whatever derails us from this vision
It takes grace, dedication, and determination to build a life worth living
If not now, then when?
With Aloha,
Johnny
What a fitting end to 2021
Isolated from the world
A whole family coughing into 2022
But we will survive this storm
Everything is impermanent
No need to worry or stress over things I can’t control
No need to worry about my finances, I have enough!
The end of the year is a great time to be grateful for what you have
I will not wish for more
I will not wish for good health
But for grace, determination, and dedication on this path less followed
With Aloha,
Johnny
The path is always unknown
There is always a fork in the road
Two or more paths in front of us
Which will be chosen?
There are infinite possibilities in this beautiful world
Yet we cling to finding certainty in an uncertain world
Not realizing that certainty is an illusion
We are a collection of our thoughts, beliefs, and actions
Each day we can change and grow
Or stay stuck in our old ways
We can’t always choose our circumstances
But we can choose our attitude and actions
With aloha,
Johnny
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
Busy is frantic
Focus is calm
Busy is mindless
Focus is mindful
Busy does not always mean important
Don’t be fooled in thinking a busy life equates to a meaningful life
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.)
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
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
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
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
Path Unknown. 