If you can~ 🍃 still your mind, when chaos surrounds you, 🍃 observe life, without judgement 🍃 see freedom in having less rather than more, 🍃 hold the natural world, in reverence for the majesty she is, 🍃 appreciate simple pleasures and simple times, 🍃 regard kindness and gratitude, as two of the most important and beautiful human characteristics, And, 🍃 maintain your sense of self, in a world that’s constantly trying to shape you into something you’re not, then,… you my friend, will find peace as you sail upon, this funny little thing called life.
I don’t go to the forest to get away from the real world, I go to the forest to be with the REAL WORLD. The quiet, the beauty, the safe embrace of the trees, and the voice of wisdom that comes when the mind is still; these are things that provide a tranquil retreat and a peaceful haven from our busy human world.
Do you need a time out? step into the real world. 🌲🌲🌲🌲 Toni O’Keeffe🌹❤️
Let neither success or failure go to your head. Both are simply stepping stones guiding you down your path. Neither make you better, less, above or below anyone.
Judging yourself or comparing your successes and failures to others is futile. We don’t compare a cactus to an oak tree, or, poison ivy to a lotus or, a zucchini to bamboo. While they are all plants, each serve a different purpose within the environment they grow. Like plants, we each play different roles within the environments, families and cultures where we grow.
Be grateful for both your successes and your failures. They are the sign posts pointing the way and fuelling your personal growth.
It’s easy to be in awe of the beauty in nature. Multiple shades of green draped over a forest. The way bold colours melt together to create a sunrise or sunset. The twinkle of stars, the fragrance of different flowers painted in every colour imaginable. The beauty of ocean waves rolling in and out leaving beautiful polished stones and shells behind. Tall grass dancing with the wind, song birds singing, clouds creating illusions in the sky. We appreciate and love all of it.
What if we looked at each other the same way, in awe of how beautiful, brilliant, colourful, twinkly and different we all are?
If we accepted one another no matter how we looked, sang, danced, rocked or rolled, wow this would be one happy peaceful, planet of twinkly, bright, dancing souls. 🌟
In the end, nothing will hurt more than; ~ the paths not taken, ~ words not spoken, ~ wounds that didn’t heal, ~ moments lost, ~ joy never found, ~ a life not lived.
We’re here to take a few chances, have a colourful adventure or two, learn about ourselves, the planet and everything around us. To fully feel the highs and lows of this unique human journey. Don’t waste it. Be brave, bold, and curious as you own this thing called life!!
Yup you’ll make mistakes, you’re supposed to. You’ll get hurt, don’t let that stop you. You’ll get knocked down, eventually you’ll get back up and, you’ll get messy, oh well 🤷🏻♀️.
Be fearless, have fun and laugh till it hurts. Everyone of us is a student of life, and everyone of us will mess up, so, forgive those who hurt you, forgive yourself for the times you’ve been less then perfect. Face your fears with all the courage you can muster.
When you exit this ride, I hope your hair is a mess, your knees are wobbly, you’ve lost your hat, the wind has kissed your face so many times your cheeks are raw and, your final thought is “wow, that was amazing, absolutely frickin’ amazing, let’s do it again.”
Stop believing anyone who tells you you’re broken. You’re not, you’re absolutely beautiful.
You might hurt and have scars, but the pain you feel is growth, not brokenness.
Our life experiences aren’t supposed to feel, look or be the same as everyone else. So lets stop judging ourselves against the lives we see others live.
Your life journey might be painful because it’s about falling down and learning to get back up.
My journey might be filled with grief and heartache so I can understand loss and then comfort and have compassion for others when they experience it.
My neighbours journey might be about tolerance, acceptance and compassion, so they can become advocates for diversity and understanding.
We’re all going to fall and get hurt along the way, it’s part of the journey. Our hearts might get heavy and our spirits might crumble but, these are the experiences and emotions we’re meant to “grow” through.
Each stabbing ache, each crushing disappointment, every loss or painful fall from grace, provides us and those who bear witness to our lives, the opportunities to learn and transform. This pain shouldn’t break us, it should makes us stronger and wiser.
If you perceive your life as broken because you’ve been knocked down a few times, then you’ll feel broken. However, if you perceive your life as an amazing classroom, where you’re constantly learning and growing, then, you’ll greet each day with curiosity and excitement. You’ll become stronger and better equipped to deal with the tough stuff when it comes along. Let your scars be a reminder of how far you’ve come.
So relax, inhale the lessons, exhale and live the learning. No matter what people tell you or what you see in the mirror, you’re not broken. You’re both a beautiful student and teacher in this insanely wild and wonderful classroom called life. And, you’re right where you’re supposed to be, bumps, bruises, dents, scrapes, scars and all.
Be still ~ Close yours eye ~ Slowly inhale ~ Hold ~ Now, let your shoulders drop and the muscles across your neck and brow loosen and relax as you slowly exhale. As you release your breath, imagine all pain, stress, anger, jealousy, fear, fatigue, regret or sadness, melting and floating away. Let it all go.
These uncomfortable emotions and physical discomfort are often sent to wake us up. They remind us to stop wasting time on the wrong people and the wrong things. They are calling us to to live, create, explore and love in ways that lift us up, not break us down.
If each day is a repeat of the day before and you’re not fully living, your mind, body and spirit will send you messages through feelings of discontent, fatigue, tension and illness. Listen to those messages.
My Dad used to say, “learn something, create something, observe something, meet someone or go somewhere new everyday, it’ll keep life interesting.” He was right.
We never know when we’ll take our last breath. Don’t waste this day, this life, this moment on things and people that bring you down.
You deserve happiness and joy. You have this one, big, colourful life. What wild and wonderful things are you going to do with it?
Don’t die with your hopes, dreams, desires, words, art, music, love, passion still in you. Open your heart and unleash your magic into the world.
Now, be still and listen, where does your mind, body and soul want you to go?
The Whimsey Angel 