April 4, 2020
By Toni O’Keeffe
This global pandemic has given us the opportunity to sit in silence and observe, really observed, how we and the rest of the world live.
One of my greatest observations is that we all have it in us to give more and be more. More loving, more kind and more compassionate towards each other and the planet.
At the same time we have it in us to be less. Less busy, less stressed, live with less, be less judgemental and less offended by every little damn thing.
I’ve learnt that time spent alone is good. It’s in this alone time that we can listen to the inner wisdom that’s always trying to get our attention. We need to teach our children how to be still and tap into their own inner wisdom.
I’ve learnt that I’m grateful for the non-monetary, simple things in life like walks, sunsets, the people I love, great conversations, cinnamon buns, laughter, friendship, my health and my puppy who really is my whacky best friend.
During these past few month we’ve seen the necessity of creating locally focused economies. Relying on products and services from around the globe is determental to our health, our economy and the planet. Look how quickly Canadian companies rallied and employed ingenuity to refit their facilities and address this pandemic and our need for protective equipment, ventilators, hand sanitizer and food.
We are learning that we can achieve a better work life balance by implementing different ways to work, learn and play. Technology allows us this flexibility. When the world regulates our new collective heartbeat, I hope people will still employ these practices.
The way we treat other living beings has to change. The lives of animals that are confined to small spaces and cages in wet markets, entertainment facilities, meat farms and research labs, are horrible. Because we have the power to cause them pain doesn’t mean we should. If we believe we are of a higher intelligence then, we should act like it.
It is our own poor treatment of other living species that led us to this pandemonium ~ and isn’t that a major bitch slap to all of us from lady Karma.
We are all connected. Anyone that hasn’t figure that out during all this, is not of this earth.
During isolation I’ve pondered the notion that we elevate and worship false idols like movie stars, reality TV personalities, pro-athletes Youtubers, Instagram influencers, models and race car drivers. Yet, none if these idols were able to get us through this.
The real hero’s, the ones worthy of our idolizations, are the ones we often take for granted. The ones that keep our lives running every day; the healthcare workers, emergency responders, the builders, postal workers, the transportation, warehouse and retailers workers, scientists, the teachers and child care workers that nurture young minds AND most importantly farmers❤️ These are the people worthy of our idolization.
On a global level we must elect leaders not based on the size of their wallet, the size of their ego or the empires they have built. Our global leaders must possess authentic concern for people and the earth. On that note, as I bare witness to the chaos in other parts of the world and even on this continent, I have never been more grateful to be Canadian🇨🇦.
We are merely visitors on this little blue ball spinning through space. We can be evicted at any moment. Mother earth gives us everything we need, she takes nothing from us. Yet, we take everything from her. The way we are living and treating her is not sustainable. The planet will survive without us. We will not survive without her.
We must act together to be kinder to the earth. We need to allow her to heal, to breath to live, so we can heal, breath and live, it really is that simple.
We have no more excuses. We have proven we can change. We have proven we can be more and use less. NO MORE excuses!
The world will not be the same after this and hope it’s NOT.
When we emerge from the warmth of our cocoons, I hope we have shed old patterns of behaviour and grown into something better, bolder and much more beautiful and peaceful 🦋.
Toni O’K ~ 🌹 ❤️
The Whimsey Angel 