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
I will do my best
To not gossip
To not judge
To not be violent with my speech or actions
Society is made up of individuals like you & I
My changing our-self
We in fact change the world
With Aloha,
Johnny Hoffman
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
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
-Saint Francis of Assisi
This poem is inspired by Kid Cudi’s song “Lovin’ Me” off Man on the Moon III: The Chosen One
Hell & heaven live within us
The inner voice that tells us that we aren’t good enough
Strong enough
Pretty enough
That we aren’t worth love
The seeds of self-hatred sprout into suffering
Only self compassion can lead us out of the dark
Into the light of peace & love
Self love being key to humanities transformation into a more peaceful species
If we don’t love ourself
If we can’t show compassion to ourself
How can we share love & compassion with others?
With Aloha,
Johnny
Link to “Lovin’ Me” by Kid Cudi
I’m an indentured servant in the 21st century
Not to a single person
But to my discover and capital one credit cards
Commercials taught me I needed these precious cards
They they would bring me joy
The opposite was true
For every time I gambled
The shackles on my wrists got tighter
Everytime I mindlessly consumed
The shackles got tighter
The thousands I spent at coffee shops was all to dig myself deeper into financial slavery
Until one day I awoke to my servitude
Realizing my freedom has been stripped from me slowly each day from my unwise decisions
Now aware
I will be more mindful
I will practice discipline
I will practice compassion
I will practice transparency
I will break from indentured servitude
One day at a time
With aloha,
Johnny
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
Is humanities purpose to exploit the world?
Exploit other humans
Exploit mother earth
Exploit are fellow animals
All in the name of greed
Or are we here for another reason?
To love other humans
To cherish mother earth
To protect are fellow animals
All in the name of love
Time will tell which path humanity will take moving forward
For now I choose love over fear
Protection over exploitation
Values over money
My life is my message
With Aloha,
Johnny
There once was a star in the milky way
Until one day this star grew old
This distant star died & transformed into a supernova
Sending its space dust in the vast darkness of the Universe
Until one day this dust accumulated and condensed under pressure
To form our home, Earth
The star never truly died
It was reborn
Reborn as you, me, and every species that has existed on this planet
We are brothers & sisters
Sharing this beautiful planet together
With Aloha,
Johnny
Question society
Question your culture
Question your thoughts & behavior
Your diet
Your values
Your opinions, beliefs, and habits
Question if this is truly who you are
Or what you were taught by others
Life is too short to live it blindly
Not questioning what we have been told
Question everything, including yourself
Is this what I truly believe from logical evidence?
By love?
Or is it driven by greed, hatred, or fear?
