Category: Reflection

Slow down

by The Whimsey Angel, posted in Life Journey, Reflection, self discovery, Toni O’KEEFFE

Go slowly~

Life goes by oh so quickly. It seems the faster we go, the faster it all goes by and, the more we miss along the way.

Like looking out the window of a speeding train, when we move too fast or we’re too busy, we barely see a thing, just bits and pieces and most of life becomes a blur.

When we slow down, we begin to observe and listen more deeply, and, we see our lives, each other and the world more clearly.

I don’t know why we were led to believe that being busy and doing things quickly, is better. For some things, of course, but in general, life is calmer when we live, work, play and love slowly.

You may actually get to where you’re going quicker and achieve your goals faster by slowing down. Walking gently through life improves our ability to be mindful and focus; which can result in better decision-making, fewer accidents, less stress and, better emotional self-control.

Allow yourself to go slowly, to savour the sights, the sounds, the feelings and the moments that make up your life. Take time to inhale life deeply and enjoy the view.

If you don’t know how to slow down, you can start by;

  1. Slowly letting go of things and people that misuse your time. If it’s not necessary or doesn’t bring you joy, let it go.
  2. Spend time in nature. Nature has a calming and healing effect that causes us to slow down, to breathe deeply and release anxiety and stress.
  3. Practicing mindfulness and meditation, teaches us how to slow down and observe life as it is.
  4. Slow down your morning routine. Sip your coffee or tea slowly, stand out on your patio or balcony and slowly inhale and exhale as you begin your day.
  5. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude; Gratitude helps us focus on what we have instead of what we think is lacking, which then reduces our need to work harder and faster to acquire more.

As you pass through your one, short, beautiful, life, you’ll see more, feel more, experience more and be happier when you move slowly and gently along your path.

None of us are getting any more time, so enjoy the time you’ve got, whats the rush?

Toni O’KEEFFE🌹❤️

Dream anyway

by The Whimsey Angel, posted in be you, follow your path, Life Journey, Personal Growth, Reflection, Toni O’KEEFFE

Not every race will be won,
Not every dream will come true,
Not everyone you love, will love you back.
Not every goal will be reached.

Run anyway,
Dream anyway,
Love anyway.
Reach anyway

Every step in the wrong direction,
every dream that fades,
every love thats lost,
every unfulfilled goal.
puts you on the path towards
what and who is meant for you.

Nothing you do is ever wasted, nothing.
There is wisdom, lessons and growth in everything, even the most painful of things.

Toni O’KEEFFE 🌹❤️

We don’t arrive to this life adventure knowing it all. If we did, what would be the point?

by The Whimsey Angel, posted in Life Journey, Personal Growth, Reflection, Toni O’Keeffe

We don’t arrive to this life adventure knowing it all. If we did, what would be the point?

I remember this chaotic, impatient, awkward, young girl, tripping over life. You might remember a similar girl or boy from the early days of your own life story.

When I reflect back on this girl, I do so with such compassion and love, because I realize now;
~ How hard she worked to find her voice and to be heard.
~ How she struggled to find the values to guide her.
~ How desperately she wanted to find her purpose.
~ How determined she was in her quest to find her place in the world and find her tribe,
And
~ How passionately she craved, and still craves, authentic human connections.
Back “then” she couldn’t even describe what this craving was.

I hope you see and admire the younger version of yourself the same way. Be gentle with, and forgive yourself for the mistakes you think you’ve made, because none of it was a mistake. That younger you, was just trying to figure life out, searching, learning and growing like we all are.

Wherever you are along this life journey, is exactly where you’re meant to be. Be grateful that your younger self got you this far, now, keep on going💖.

Toni O’KEEFFE 🌹❤️

Go outside and play~

by The Whimsey Angel, posted in healing, Life Journey, nature, Planet Earth, play, Reflection

Put that stuff down.
You’ve done enough adulting today.
Time to go outside and play.

We function better when we create the time to play outside. Outdoor play is good for our mental well-being, our physical well-being, in particular, our lungs, our hearts and our muscles. Outdoor play also does wonders for our spiritual selves, our relationships and our working environment.

So go outside and play, its oh so good for you🤗.

Love Toni ☀️🌹❤️

You can move mountains

by The Whimsey Angel, posted in learning, life challenges, Life Journey, Personal Growth, Reflection, Toni O’KEEFFE

When I was a child and became overwhelmed with any large task or homework assignment, my father would say “pull one weed at a time.” He was referring to his approach to weeding the garden.
If he looked at all the weeding to be done as one large task, it would’ve been overwhelming and never gotten done, so he approached it one weed at a time.

Fast forward to today, I was out walking and came across two young men standing in front of an enormous mountain of rocks.
I stopped to chat as they Ooh’d and awed over my little dog and I asked them what they were doing.
They were building a stone wall.
The rock for the wall had been delivered, but had been dumped in the wrong spot, now they had to move it.
One of the young men jokingly asked me if I knew how to move a mountain?
“Yup” I said, “one weed at a time.”
They were both confused, so I explained the analogy and they got it.

Whatever lies before you, take it one minute, one hour, one step, one day, one page, one breath or one weed at a time.
In fact, you can move mountains,
when you move them, one stone at a time.

Toni O’KEEFFE ~🌹❤️

~ You have never made a mistake, ever.

by The Whimsey Angel, posted in growth, Life Journey, Personal Growth, Reflection, Toni O’KEEFFE, wisdom

Your past has shaped you, taught you and led you to places and people that helped you grow. Some of those places and people have hurt you, pushed you down or left you with scars.

But, you my dear, you are not your past. You are NOT the opinions others had, or have, of you. You are NOT the things you did or the things that were done to you. Nor are you the mistakes you THINK you’ve made.

You have never made a single mistake, ever. There are no mistakes, only lessons. What you do with those lessons is up to you.

You are the sum of all your experiences and the learning these experiences brought you. You get to decide how to build upon all that.

So, take a deep breath, forgive yourself for the mistakes “you think” you’ve made, give thanks for the lessons and celebrate how far you’ve come, because wow, you’ve come along way my friend, and here you are, still standing❤️

Now, get out there and build something, anything you want, upon everything you’ve ever done, and enjoy this one big amazing life you’ve been given.

Toni O’KEEFFE ~🌹❤️

Be grateful for “the ones”

by The Whimsey Angel, posted in gratitude, Life Journey, Love and relationships, Reflection

Be grateful for the ones who show up and love you exactly as you are.

The ones who go along for the ride, just to make sure you’re safe.

The ones who shelter you from life’s storms and bring out the sun to celebrate your greatness achievements.

The ones who know when you need time alone to just be.

They ones who are patient, stand back and let you live your learning.

The ones who never judge you or ask you to change, in fact, they ask for almost nothing.

The ones you turn your back on from time-to-time and when you turn back around, there they are, still standing in your corner cheering you on.

The ones you call to talk to about anything and they listen without judgment even when you make no sense at all.

They might be a parent, grandparent, a
sister, brother, cousin, lover or loyal friend ~ you may not always be kind to them ~ you may not always thank them for showing up – but, they always do.

One day they might be gone, don’t take them for granted. Be grateful for the ones who show up and love you ~ exactly as you are.

Toni O’KEEFFE ~🌹❤️

Be still and listen ~

by The Whimsey Angel, posted in authentic, be you, follow your path, growth, Life Journey, Reflection

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?

Toni O’KEEFFE ~🌹❤️

  • photo Paul Zizka