This dance called life

From the day we’re born, we’re programmed to, two-step, side-step, hop, skip, jump, twist, twirl and boogie, between the demands and expectations of family, school, career, relationships, society, our human emotions, our quest for happiness and ultimately “our purpose.” It’s quite the dance.

The music is continually playing and changing. We bump into others, trying not to step on toes. We slip, fall, break a heal, or break a leg. Some days we dance alone but still, we dance.

And even though we all have different dance moves, different tastes in music, wear different colours to the dance and none of us knows when this life ballet will end, we still have to show up, get along and dance whether we want to or not.

So what’s the point of this little song and dance? It’s this; ~ Life IS the dance.

Our purpose is to make the most of every step, every misstep, every song, every partner, every blister, every moment, every “thing”.

No matter how well you dance, what songs you dance to, how fast or slow, you move, who you dance with, how often you change partners or if you dance alone, find the music that’s in harmony with YOU and tap, waltz, jig, jive, polka, salsa, hip-hop, twirl, tango, do-si-do, or plié and enjoy the insanely beautiful rhythm of it all.

Regardless of who you are, what you do, how much money you have, who you voted for or who you worship, we’ll all get sore feet, the shoes will come off and the music will stop, for all of us.

So while you’re here, get those moves on
and, enjoy the dance.

Toni O’KEEFFE 🌹❤️

Life should excite you!

If life doesn’t excite you once and awhile,
you’re doing it wrong.

That thing, that makes you feel alive, tickles you in all the right places, gives you joy, sets your soul on fire, and allows you to live fully in the moment;
whether it’s riding, gliding, running, singing, sailing, climbing, performing, paddling, or something equally amazing, find that thing, and do it, often.

Despite this wildly weird west coast weather, I hope the week ahead is an absolutely wonderful one for you!!!

Toni O’KEEFFE ~🌹❤️

Touch the ocean

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~🌹❤️

When life knocks you down, stay there for awhile

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 ~🌹❤️

Let’s Dance

Let’s dance ~

You may be sent into the lives of others to help them find a way through the heaviness of their pain or the turmoil in their life.

They may not understand or appreciate the meaning of your presence, help them anyway.

Plant seeds of kindness, compassion and wisdom all around them and hope the seeds take root and grow.

No matter how strong, brave, smart or tough we think we are, none of us can do this alone. We’re not supposed to.

We’re at our best when we show up for each other to offer comfort, create laughter, provide light, offer healing and love. In fact, when we’re helping others, we realize, we’re really helping ourselves.

And maybe that’s what this human journey is all about, just showing up for each other, without expectation, because it feels so good when our messy, yet amazing little souls are entangled in this colourful cosmic dance.

Toni O’KEEFFE ~🌹❤️

Life is the forest

~ Toni O’KEEFFE

As I strolled through the forest and along Englishman River today, it struck me how much life is like a forest.

Depending what storms have blown through our lives, where the light is shining, where we’re planted, who’s planted beside us, how solid our foundation is, how deeply our roots grow or what nutrients are in the soil, we will either flourish and grow strong or struggle to survive.

Like the forest, life is filled with twists and turns and unfamiliar pathways or paths that are blocked.

When we meet another soul, we don’t know what foundation they’re built upon, how sturdy their root and support system is, what storms they’ve walked through, what change has blown through their lives, what twists and turns they’ve had to endure or, what might be blocking their light or blocking their path.

Imagine if we were all be bit more understanding, patient, kind and gentle with each other, how much stronger we all could grow.

Toni O’KEEFFE ~🌹❤️

Be still and listen ~

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

The “L” word

I use the “L” word a lot. I tell my family, friends, even my dog, “I LOVE them.”

I love my home, my community, my morning coffee, cinnamon buns, Prosecco, chocolate, harp music, a good “who-done-it”, walks in the forest, starry nights, the sound of the ocean, crazy wild storms, songs that make me cry and spontaneous adventures ( lol- sounds like an online dating profile😁).
My point is, each of us use this one small word; “LOVE”, to define the emotion, passion and affection we have for so many things.

So why then are so many afraid to say it? Maybe it’s because we’ve made saying “I LOVE you” weird. Our socialized definition of the word is based on romantic love, when actually, LOVE goes further and so much deeper than that.

If you’re a part of my tribe and I tell you “I LOVE you.” it means; I’m grateful for the bond and history we share, the memories we’ve made and the time we’ve spent together. I appreciate the energy and wisdom you bring into my life. I’m drawn to your creativity, your soulfulness, your wit, the way you lift me up and make me feel. When I say “I LOVE you” I’m saying I’m glad you were born and I’m happy you’re a part of my life.

Now, what’s so scary about that?

Just saying the words “I LOVE you” is uplifting to the one speaking them.
Being told we’re loved is not just nice, it’s necessary. We all need to know we matter.

LOVE has the power to inspire, comfort, heal, and pull us up from the darkest of places. There are more songs, books, movies and poetry written about LOVE then any other topic. We have special days to celebrate love, we’re consumed with finding love, and without love our species would, well, die off.

In a world that always seems to be in peril, sharing our love for one another is the glue that will strengthen our bonds and allow us to better navigate the challenges, conflicts and disagreements life throws at us.

So let’s stop making it weird.
Spread the “L”word. I promise the more you give, the more you’ll get.

Have an absolutely fabulous day.
PS – I Love You

Take time to look back to see how far you’ve come.

I love this girl.
She used to be shy, afraid of the world, and worried about what she might become.

I’d like to go back in time, give her a hug and whisper in her little ear;
“You’re perfect just as you are. There’s going to be some storms and you’ll face them. You’ll get lost now and then, but you’ll always find your way back.
Every once and awhile you’ll forget who you were meant to be, but then you’ll remember and you’ll be fine. Everything’s going to be okay.”
❤️
I’m grateful I got to be her when she grew up.
❤️
At times, life seems to inches along so slowly and you don’t realize how far you’ve come or how much you’ve grown. Then, you turn around and wow, it hasn’t inched along at all. Time has flown by. You’ve crossed oceans, navigated storms, trudged through some muck, fought some battles, have a few scars, climbed mountains, seen some breathtaking vistas, met amazing people and covered a lot of ground. And damn, you should celebrate all that.

Take time to look back, reflect and remind yourselves how far you’ve come.
You might be surprised to find, you’ve come a long, long amazing way baby.
So, Cheers to you!
🥂❤️