If you focus
on the darkness
that’s what
you’ll see.
If you focus
on the stars,
you’ll see
the light.
Behind every
dark moment,
every dark sky,
every dark cloud,
there’s light,
focus on that.
Love Toni🔆
Focus~
Tag: growth
Accepting the painful parts if life~
To fully love ourselves, and move our lives forward, we have to accept the experiences, the pain, the emotion, and the people, who have been a part of the journey.
There’s been many architects, engineers, and builders, involved in shaping who you are.
Each one brought wisdom, learning and growth. Some made you stronger, braver and more resilient. Others made you softer, kinder and more compassionate. They’ve all been important to your story.
Forgive the ones who made it hard.
Give thanks for those who offered you light and, embrace those who haven’t shown up yet, knowing that when they arrive, you’ve been put on each other’s path for a reason.
Toni O’KEEFFE🔆
Growing well~
Growing well is a gift we give ourselves. It’s the license we’re born with to put our physical, mental and spiritual well-being first, and make decisions without the voices of judgement, criticism, pressure or burden of other peoples expectations upon us.
Growing well is not about growing old. It’s about growing happy, peacefully, growing authentically by listening to the voice within and becoming who we’re meant to be.
We can start growing “better” by letting go of the beliefs, behaviours, attitudes and guilt placed upon us by friends, family, society and ourselves to be, act, look, live or think a certain way and, accept ourselves and the wisdom we possess thats always guiding us to be our perfectly-imperfect-best selves.
If you’re struggling to grow into a better version of yourself, try spending time exercising your curiosity and creativity by going on adventures, seeking out new information, expanding your mind by learning new things, building or creating art, a garden, poetry, stories, music, crafts or something else. Be aware of how you feel when you’re doing these things. Your feelings are messages pointing you towards who you’re meant to be. Practicing mindfulness and meditation can also help you become more aware and grounded in your quest to grow well.
Rekindle the spark with the child in you by stepping into the world of magic, playfulness and the great outdoors. When you’re being playful, listen to the messages and sensations that show up.
Continue to ponder and explore the wonder that exists around you. Find the ones who sing, dance or speak the language of your soul.
Stay active to the degree you’re able and stay connected to those who lift you up and good bye to those who don’t.
You have the right, the freedom, and the power to grow well, despite your life circumstances, and arrive at a place where you’re living your best authentic life; a life that’s calm, brings you joy, settles your soul and where you find beauty, pleasure and inspiration in the smallest, oddest and sometimes most unlikely places and people; a life where you no longer feel the need to be more of this or less of that, all you have to do is show up to life and be you.
Live long, but don’t grow old my friends.
Grow well, listening to the gentle whispers from within, fully embracing the skin and the spirit you’re in.
Love Toni🔆
We all grow into who we are meant to be~
When we’re young, we can’t fully anticipate the changes we’ll go through during our lives. Changes in the world, our priorities, our bodies, our attitudes, our beliefs, our tastes or, how our life experiences will shape us. We’ll stumble, fall, learn, grow and we’ll change.
Ten year-old you could never have comprehended the needs and priorities of the 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, year old you.
So rather than worrying about which path you “think” you should take, instead be mindful of outcomes such as good health, acquiring wisdom, being a good human and a good steward of the planet. Then, take the path that appears.
You can still cultivate your big dreams, recognizing the route to those dreams, may NOT be down the road you expected.
We all grow into who we’re meant to be. How we get there, is not as important as how we live and love along the way.
Toni O’Keeffe ~🌹❤️
~ art work created by Nino Chakvetadze
Go make some mud~
Most of our adult lives we’re on a quest to feel whole and happy.
As we wait for happiness to arrive, some of us fill the empty spaces with busyness, distractions, temporary highs, unfulfilling relationships, toxic substances, material possessions and the debt that often comes with the “stuff” we bring into our lives. But still, the emptiness remains.
As children we intuitively lived mindfully.
We knew how to laugh, how to play and what made us happy. Happiness and fulfilment arrived when we exercised our curiosity, explored our environment, created adventures, made art, made music, made mud, splashed in puddles, ran barefoot through the grass, played in a forest or a creek, took risks and knew we’d be okay even if we fell.
There’s a child who lives in each of us waiting to come out and play, hungry to make a little mud.
Even amidst the frenzied noise of a world in constant turmoil, we can still CHOOSE to be playful and happy, even if we get a little bit messy.
That whimsy child in you may just be lost beneath the clutter, the distractions, the busyness, the possessions, the stress, too much information, self doubt and responsibility.
Today’s a good day to set that perfect, playful, child free and reclaim your “happy.” To let go and jump, skip, slide, soar, sing, surf, run, ride, sail, paddle, peddle, splash or swim, right past anything blocking your path to happiness.
Now, go make some mud.
Toni O’Keeffe🌹❤️
Keep moving ~
~ Life is like one long beautiful bike ride
I love riding my bike. When I’m riding, I see the world differently. I’ve noticed that when I’m riding, the bike will veer in the direction I’m gazing. Yesterday the bike almost pulled me into a blackberry bramble as I watched baby rabbits scurry into the underbrush. A few days ago, I almost landed in the river, watching a doe and her two fawns cross the water as I rode by.
When I’m looking forward, the bike goes straight ahead. I don’t have to think about staying upright, my inner guidance system keeps me upright and balanced.
When I fall, I pull myself up, dust myself off and start peddling (and yes, I’ve had a tumble or two). Sometimes there’s stuff blocking the path and I have to move the debris or find my way around it. When a storms blows in, I stop and take cover or ride a little slower.
When I properly maintain my bike, check the tire pressure, grease the chain, etc, my bike functions better and is better able to handle the bumps in the road.
When I’m mindful of my surroundings and fully present, wow it’s a beautiful and pleasant ride.
Life is similar. When we’re looking forward it’s easy to stay on our path. If we fall we have to pull ourselves up and carry on. When toxic people or our negative thoughts, block our path, we have to deal with them before we can move forward.
When life storms, such as heartache, loss, illness or disappointment, blow in, it’s important to take the time we need, wait for the storm to pass before we move on.
When we take care of our bodies, minds and spirits, we function better, we’re happier, we’re balanced and we’re better equipped to handle the bumps along the way.
Being mindful and fully present in our daily lives makes the journey more enjoyable and meaningful.
So, stop giving time and attention to things that pull you off your path, like toxic relationships, worry, jealousy, anger and hate. These things mess up our balance and can land us in those prickly, uncomfortable brambles.
Take care of your mind, body and spirit, you’ll feel better and be so much happier if you do.
Einstein said; ““Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” he was right (he’s Einstein, of course he was right) 🚲.
So keep moving forward you beautiful, magical riders, take care of yourselves and enjoy this marvellous, magnificent ride called life.
Toni O’Keeffe🌹❤️
Slow down
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;
- 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.
- 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.
- Practicing mindfulness and meditation, teaches us how to slow down and observe life as it is.
- 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.
- 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🌹❤️
Reach for the good stuff~
When it all feels like too much;
the news, the weather, the loss,
the lies, the demands, the cost,
the noise, the political unrest,
the sadness, the brokenness, or,
whatever it is for you,
Pause
Unplug, step back, and
reach for the good stuff.
The beauty in nature,
the beauty in you,
the generosity and
kindness of those
who love you.
Laughter, music, art,
pets, flowers, sunshine,
rain, colourful sunsets,
your favourite cozy blanket,
the perfect cup of coffee,
the sound of the ocean,
a kiss from the wind,
and all the other
little miracles
that surround you.
Toni O’Keeffe🌹❤️
Let neither success or failure go to your head ~
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.
Toni O’Keeffe🌹❤️
Let them hang on to their whimsy bits~
Let them hang on to their whimsy~
Let them wander through forests and meadows, explore seasides and mud puddles. Let them dance, sing their whimsy songs, colour outside the lines, paint the sky, hang off clouds, dream their big dreams and tell their tall tales.
When we try to shut down an individuals, creativity and move them onto a path that’s not authentic for them, often, what we’re really doing, is crushing souls.
When we say things like; “grow up” “that’s stupid,” “that’s childish,” or “don’t be so ridiculous;” we might be robbing someone of their dreams, their creative gifts, their playfulness and taking away the thing that gives them joy.
The damage done with a few mocking comments takes only seconds to utter, but decades or an entire lifetime to repair.
Whether they’re four or 84, nurture their joyful, silly, whimsy bits. That spark of wonder is their light, and could evolve into a masterpiece, an important scientific discovery, a life’s work or might merely be the thing that allows an individual to cope in an often cold, critical and angry world.
Let them hang on to their whimsy bits.
That’s where the light resides in all of us.
Toni O’KEEFFE 🌹❤️
The Whimsey Angel 