Category: Life Journey

I had the opportunity to spend an afternoon with a new acquaintance. The instant we met, his frantic surge of energy hit like a heavy, thunderous wave crashing over me, filling every pore of my being and leaving me completely disoriented.
His wild hand gesturing, thought after disorganized thought streaming from his mouth and mind were impossible to keep up with. As I tried to keep pace with the speed of his words and watched his arms flail about and his hands emphasize punctuation, I finally realized what it must have been like for people to interact with me over the years. Especially those that have worked with or for me.
He was exhausting. I was so stuck by his energy level, I’m pretty certain I lost 90% of what he was saying. He was a beautiful mirror and teacher that allowed me to witness the impact my own elevated energy has likely had on others. And, for this learning and observation I am very grateful.
I also had a great deal of compassion for this man. I understand the whirl that goes on inside a mind like that where there is a constant rush of thoughts, concepts, opinions, images and new ideas that have to be released. Always searching for a harbour to anchor all of it so your mind can rest.
In observing him I also came to appreciate that my own energy level, (which in the past could easily be on par with this individual) has become much calmer in the few short months since I retired. And, for this I am also grateful.

I’m thankful that this beautiful teacher walked into my life for a brief moment. Through observing him I will remain more attuned to the energy I bring into the lives of others and the world around me.
I have always believed that no one shows up in our life by accident. We are all mirrors in each other’s lives, reflecting truth that we sometimes try to ignore. When we remain open to receiving the learning from these reflections, we grow. So, be grateful for the mirrors you run into.
TO’K ~🌹❤️

I’m craving that THING that ignites my soul and sets it free.
That THING that allows me to
swim in a pool of fiery passion.
That THING that eclipses every other beautiful thing I’ve ever seen or felt before.
I’ve caught a glimpses of that THING off in the distance, then I stumble and the view disappears.
That THING speaks to me, calling me towards it.
It has touched my heart and brushed gently across my lips while I slept, allowing me a small taste of what it would be like.
So I know it’s out there, twirling about on the wind, waiting for me to join the dance.
That THING, it haunts me.
That beautiful, beautiful THING🌹.
TO’K ~ 🌹❤️

The first few drops gently fall,
Together they create a trickle,
Soon a million more follow composing a rhythm that lulls the world to sleep.

This beautiful dance washes the day away, wiping the slate clean and making all things possible tomorrow.
☔️
TO’K ~🌹❤️

It’s not fancy restaurants, expensive jewels, extravagant gestures or even my pay cheque that warm my heart and give my life meaning. It’s simple, precious moments that add up to a beautiful life.
Listening to rain fall on a lazy Sunday while sipping on a perfect cup of coffee.
Walking in a snow covered forest and appreciating the sounds of silence.
Having nowhere to go and nothing to do other than be with the ones I love.
Getting excited about swapping kale recipes with my son.
Laughing really hard with friends about really stupid stuff.
Watching children play and letting puppies lick my nose.
Reconnecting with an old friend and picking up where we left off decades ago.
Campfires next to the ocean while the sun melts into the sea.
Raspberries and random acts of Christmas. New socks.
The first scoop of peanut butter when you open a new jar.
The smell and feel of warm sheets coming out of the dryer.
And, gazing up at the stars and realizing how small but miraculous we all really are.

These are the things I love, the things that matter, the things that warm my heart and make my life a happy place to be.
Oh and…
Rain drops on rose
And whiskers on kittens – 😉
~ TO’K🌹❤️

LOOK UP ~
Look up from the busyness of your day, from your phone, your desk, your computer, the TV or anything else that disconnects you from the natural world.
Look up to the stars and marvel at how small yet so perfect we all are.
Look up into the mountains and believe that you can climb them.
Look up when you hear a child giggle and remember what it was like to play and to dream.
Look up into the forest and “hear” the silence and just breathe.
Look up beyond the moon and the glow of the entire universe and know that whatever troubles your mind will pass.

Your heart will soften, your mind will quiet, your body will ease, your soul will wake and be at peace, when you pause, and just ~ look ~ up.
TO’K ~🌹❤️

 

Toni O’Keeffe, The Whimsey Angel

July 22, 2017

I dreamt I was having a deep conversation with my 100-year-old self.
I asked the 100-year-old version of me, “When you look back on your life, what would you have done differently?”
Heres what she said;
I wish I had ;
….been more courageous with my love.
….listened more thoughtfully.
….done more to protect the planet.
….worked less and played more.
….been a better friend.
….shown more gratitude.
….made a difference in the lives of others
….spent more time with my children.
….traveled to more interesting places.
….met my soul-mate
… told “YOU” more often that I loved you.

Then, in my dream, I leaned in, looked into her beautiful, tired, longing blue eyes and whispered…
“YOU still can.”

TO’K🌹❤️

 

Toni O’Keeffe, The Whimsey Angel

Aug. 5, 2017

Sometimes you just have to stop and listen.

Toni O’Keeffe, The Whimsey Angel

July 1, 2017

What is a Canadian?
Well, I suppose the view from the rest of the world is that we’re a bunch of maple syrup and bacon eating, plaid wearing, beer drinking, loggers, toting hockey bags out of our igloos and into our canoes to get to the Timmy’s “row-through” before early morning hockey practice. They (the rest of the world) see us as a friendly lot that play our fiddles and Bar-B-Q bacon and cheddar moose burgers on the weekends, (how we do this from our backyards without melting our Igloos remains a secret that we will continue to keep from the rest of the world)
But, who are we really?
We are a beautiful blend of many races and religions from around the globe.
This colourful mix of ethnic and lifestyle diversity has inspired tolerance, kindness, understanding and compassion (yes we still have some work to do). This makes us a people that open our doors to the worlds wounded, downtrodden and outcast.

We are curious explorers that have been drawn to the pristine lakes, majestic mountains, serene forests, rolling prairie and spectacular coast lines that we call home. This appreciation of the natural world has made us leaders in environmental stewardship and guardians of the wildlife that share this land.

Having access to universal health care, social infrastructure, education, clean water, strong human rights policy and basic equality (things that over 70% of the worlds population still live without) make us among the most fortunate people on the planet.

In addition to Poutine, Nanaimo bars and butter tarts, we have introduced the world too; the telephone, Insulin, AM radio, Sonar, hockey, the Cardiac Pacemaker, the alkaline battery, computerized braille, William Shatner, Michael Bubble, snowblowers(makes sense) and fog horns, OK and Justine Bieber.
We are not just that little country north of the US, we are the second largest country in the world, with one of the strongest economies. We consistently rank among the best places in the world to live, work and play.
So as you celebrate the 150 years that this country has stood proud, give thanks to those pioneers, your ancestors and mine that evolved Canada into a place where we could live strong and free.
Finally, you’re nice, I’m nice, your neighbours are nice and I’m sorry if anything in this post offends you😬
Sorry for saying sorry.
Happy Canada Day eh’🇨🇦

~TOK🌹❤️

 

Toni O’Keeffe, The Whimsey Angel

June 9, 2017

You and I sleep under the same indigo sky and walk in the same shimmering moonlight.
We dream and wish upon the same stars, feel the same wind blow through our hair and sigh at the same warm sand as it caresses our toes.
The waves that hit the shores have echoed in your ears and mine.
We inhale the same air that gives us life and wash away our days with rain that has sprung from the same clouds.
You, I and our planet are beautifully interconnected ~ we’re kind of in this together you and I, and, thats sort of a big deal.
TO’K 🌹❤️

Toni O’Keeffe ~ The Whimsey Angel