Tag: Life Journey

You’re not broken ~ you’re beautiful ~

by The Whimsey Angel, posted in authentic, be you, follow your path, healing, life challenges, Life Journey, Wisdom, Life Journey,

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.

Toni O’KEEFFE ~ 🌹❤️

I wish you love~

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

I wish you Love ~

My wish for each of you is LOVE. Real LOVE. A Love that is kind, respectful, comforting, brings you joy and extends beyond a single day, a box of chocolates and some roses each year.

I wish you a LOVE that allows you to feel safe and secure in who you are and inspires you to grow into the best version of yourself. A LOVE built on soul-to-soul connections, with no expectations, only an enduring appreciation, acceptance, respect and admiration for the beautiful, perfect and unique soul YOU are.

But more than that, I wish YOU a LOVE of self, where YOU see yourself as worthy and deserving of all that is beautiful and good. A self-LOVE that allows YOU to be kind and gentle with your heart as you surrender to and inhale, this epic journey called life. A self-LOVE that offers you the absolute knowing you are a beautiful work in progress, a perfect heart under construction and an amazing, magical, being destine to do great things, even if they’re small things. And with this perfect LOVE flowing around you, I hope you reach into the world, sharing all that you know and make the world a better, softer, gentler and more loving place to be.

Yes, that’s the kind of LOVE I wish for you – not just on Valentines day, but every-single-day.

Toni O’KEEFFE~🌹❤️

Not all empty spaces need to be filled~

by The Whimsey Angel, posted in empty spaces, follow your path, growth, happiness, healing, joy, kindness, letting go, life challenges, Life Journey, Personal Growth, Spiritual, Toni O’Keeffe, wisdom, Wisdom, Life Journey,

From time-to-time many of us feel an emptiness, a lacking or void we think we need to fill in order to be happy.

We exhaust ourselves chasing happiness, chasing love, searching for meaning, chasing more of this or more of that, buying stuff to try and fill the emptiness or the sense of “lacking” in our lives.

Trying to fill this emptiness with material possessions, temporary companionship, drugs, alcohol, and busyness, almost never works. These things might mask what’s going on beneath the surface for a short period of time, but, they rarely lead to sustained fulfillment.

Perhaps this sense of emptiness is not something that needs to be filled, but something that needs to be FELT.

Perhaps this space within the ether of our chaotic human mind, is actually a waiting room that’s meant to be left wide-open, allowing old feelings, attitudes and pain to leave, and new feelings, thoughts and peace to arrive. A space we visit to lance our wounds, release our tears and the stifled ache of pent-up grief, pain, loneliness, remorse or sadness until we understand “it” and find the lesson in “it”. A space to purge the ugliness of what’s hurt us in the past and let “it” go – creating space for new things, new purpose, new meaning, to arrive. A space where we push the darkness out, and let the light in.

When the ache of emptiness or lacking creeps in, rather than trying to fill it, try to feel it. Take a walk, exercise, journal, open up and start talking to someone, go into nature, sit quietly and meditate. It doesn’t matter which path you take to get to this space, what matters is that you arrive, and when you do, you ask your pain what it’s trying to teach you. Then listen, feel, and release the things that no longer serve you or bring you peace. The answer(s) may not come right away. You may need to visit this space several times. When the answers begin to arrive, thank your pain for the lessons, then let it go. As it leaves, visualize new energy, new purpose, new feelings of wellness and hopefulness arrive. Then go out and live this one beautiful life you’ve been given.

This concept may sound abstract, however, if you’ve been feeling the ache of emptiness within, and what you’ve been doing to fill the void has not been working, what have you got to lose? other than the ache of the emptiness that haunts you.

Perhaps not all empty spaces are meant to be filled, perhaps they’re meant to be felt.

Toni O’KEEFFE~🌹❤️

The perfect partner does not exist, they become ~

by The Whimsey Angel, posted in happiness, Life Journey, love, Love and relationships, relationship, relationships, Self Love, Toni O’Keeffe

Millions of single people (and people in unhappy relationships) are consumed with finding the perfect partner.

They scour dating sites and social media profiles, look across crowded rooms, join singles clubs or go to bars looking for “the one”.

In reality, I don’t believe this perfect partner exists. They “become”.

When two perfectly flawed, quirky people come together, they can BECOME perfect for each other if they accept each other as they are, trusting that together they can grow into better versions of themselves.

Human beings have a tendency to be judgmental and look at the messy flaws in each other before we look at the endearing and beautiful qualities we all possess. If you do this (assess the flaws) you’ll never find “the one” because we’re all messy little humans filled with flaws and cracks.

When we plant a seed or a bulb in the ground, it’s messy, it doesn’t grow over night. When planted in the right conditions and when it’s taken care of, the seed grows into exactly what it’s supposed to be. Relationships are the same, they don’t just happen. When planted in the right conditions and with the right care, they can flourish and grow.

*The right conditions implies there are no abuse, infidelity, addiction, moral differences or other serious issues that have to be addressed.

Everything ever created (even YOU) was messy in the beginning. An oak tree, a symphony, a work-of-art, a relationship, all require time to germinate and grow before they BECOME the masterpiece they’re destined to be.

So try looking for the one who is not perfect, but is authentic and possesses qualities such as kindness, respect, a sense of humour, someone who’s supportive, caring, playful and shares similar values.

Then cheer each other on, comfort each other when things don’t go according to plan. When you disagree don’t argue, communicate.

There is some irony in me writing this piece, as I’ve had, hmm a few relationships. They all provided me with insights about myself and human relationships. In particular;

  • When was kind, loving, supportive and understanding with my partners, we both grew into better versions of ourselves.
  • When I expected a partner to change a behaviour or change things about themselves (or they had these expectations of me) the relationship went sideways quickly.
  • When one partner tries to stop the other from growing, the relationship also sours quickly.
  • Relationships work when both partners commit to growing together and, support one another in growing as individuals.

She may not have the perfect body, he may not be perfectly groomed, you may not see eye-to-eye on a-lot of things and, you probably both have flaws, annoying little habits and imperfections. Don’t let that stop you. If the core building blocks of kindness, respect, honesty and trust are there, and you’re both committed to becoming better versions of yourself, together you can BECOME a masterpiece.

Treat your partner like the partner of your dreams, and, they just might BECOME exactly that.

Toni O’Keeffe~🌹❤️

Look for the helpers~

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

Mr Rogers said; “look for the helpers”.
This is wise advise for both children and adults.

When you’re struggling, be aware of who comes into your life unexpectedly. These helpers may be different than the people you generally welcome into your tribe, all the more reason to welcome them in.

If you’re in pain, lost, drowning in your own messy life circumstances, grief or chaos, you might not recognize these helpers when they show up, you might even push them away.

Put your ego, pride, judgment and stubbornness aside and accept that they are here to help and guide you through the storms in your life. If you don’t have the strength to reach out, accept the help when others reach in.

No matter how strong, brave, smart or tough we think we are, none of us can do this alone. We all need a village.

There are people you haven’t met yet, (and some you have) who will bring peace, comfort, laughter, wisdom, light, healing and help into your life.
Let them.

Toni O’KEEFFE ~🌹❤️

“Helping Hand” painting By Emile Renouf

Touch the ocean

by The Whimsey Angel, posted in Life Journey

I wander back to places I’ve been,

people I’ve met,

wonder why they’re part of

this one life I get.

It goes by fast,

this adventure is swift,

Every breath, every step,

every scene is a gift

Your days will end,

It’s not a race.

Slow down, breath,

Laugh, love and embrace.

I understanding,

why we’re here,

But, the lessons that come

are not always clear.

Candles of hope,

lit day-after-day,

the choices we make,

lighting our way.

Vistas to feast on,

new lives to hold,

Stories are written,

then rewritten and retold.

Keep your heart open,

your mind curious,

enjoy the dance,

don’t be so serious.

Kindness is key

Don’t hold a grudge,

What your neighbours doing,

is not yours to judge.

This path seems long

when we first arrive,

It’s not long at all,

I now realize.

Release the things

that tie you down

They won’t matter,

when you’re no longer around

So touch the ocean,

Kiss the sky,

Embrace this life

Before you die.

Toni O’Keeffe~🌹❤️

This is where I’m going

by The Whimsey Angel, posted in Life Journey

… to arrive at a place where the soul is calm and at peace with the storms its walked through,

…to hold no anger or regret,

… to carry a deep love and gratitude for the ones who have shared the journey, even if what was shared was painful,

…to love and be loved authentically,

…to sit in silence with the messiness of the world beside me and still be okay.

Ah yes, this is where I’m going…

Toni O’KEEFFE ~🌹 ❤️

What’s calling you?

by The Whimsey Angel, posted in Life Journey

You were born with a “calling”, a “ gift”, a “talent”, and it’s meant to be exercised and shared.

Your calling might be creating music, poetry, art, laughter, or joy. It could be building, healing, teaching, cooking, inspiring, protecting, inventing or caring for or being of service to others. It could be anything.

Depending on the cultural, religious, social and political environments we grow up in, our natural callings might be stifled. We may be forced to put our callings aside and place ourselves into boxes that fit our environment, but don’t fit us.

When we’re NOT exercising our callings we’re not being our authentic selves and, we might feel un-easy, sad, depressed, frustrated, confused and a sense of longing to find and understand ourselves creeps in. We might feel uninspired, lethargic or bored and adopt toxic habits and addictive or risky behaviours in order to feel something and fill the void of whats missing. This dis-ease, can make us physically and mentally unwell.

When we’re doing what we’re born to do, we “feel”it. We feel inspired and motivated, we feel joy, a sense of purpose and we feel grateful and happy.

Some people know early on what their calling is. Others have a hard time finding it beneath the layers of life circumstances that have been thrown upon them.

If you haven’t found your calling, go into the world and experience new art, music, architecture, food, nature, culture and people. Read, travel, learn, meditate, develop networks of friends who are different than you. As you do these things, be aware of what resonates for you, sense what feels right. These feelings, might be a calling pointing you towards a happier, healthier life.

Become a curious explorer and dive deep into the mysteries of your own mind, attitudes and beliefs to unearth where your gift(s) have been buried and then set them free.

You beautiful, wild and whimsy spirit, is something calling you? Don’t be afraid to answer the call.

Toni O’KEEFFE~🌹❤️

When life knocks you down, stay there for awhile

by The Whimsey Angel, posted in Life Journey

When life knocks you down,
stay there for awhile.
Catch your breath,
rest, look up at the sky,
gaze at the clouds,
the birds, the stars,
the moon, whatever’s
up there, and know,
this thing that knocked
you down, is only a
lesson along a path that
leads to something better.

What happens to us,
doesn’t determine
who we are. So rest.
When you’re ready,
carry on knowing
this lesson is now
behind you.

Toni O’KEEFFE ~🌹❤️

Is it time?

by The Whimsey Angel, posted in Life Journey

A moment will arrive when you realize it’s time to tread beyond your comfort zone, escape your fears and everything weighing you down.

In this moment you will know with great clarity, it’s time to move beyond the obstacles blocking your path and allow the things calling you from beyond the veil of fear, doubt and judgment, to be born. Let them be born.

The fear you face may appear larger than it actually is, because it’s standing right in front of you. This fear may merely be the voices of others who have constantly told you what you should or shouldn’t be. Tune the voices out and walk, ride, skip, jump, sail or fly forward. Once you do, the fear will be gone, the fog will lift and you will clearly see the path towards the things you’ve been wanting to do, see, say, and become.

Be brave and muster your courage.
We never know exactly when our journey here will end, but we know it will end.
So, those dreams, goals, aspirations, creations ~ is it time?🌟

Toni O’Keeffe ~🌹❤️