Wow! You are unlike anything else in the entire universe. A billion beautiful things had to line up so you could be here living this life.
Just the right amount of star dust landing in the same place, then generations of your ancestors making decisions and taking tiny steps that led to the creation of you! You really are something special!
There’s a spark in you that holds your purpose and potential!! It’s the magic that makes you authentically you.
Light that thing up !!
Toni O’Keeffe🔆
They are softer and more sensitive than most, believe in the goodness in others and walk gently on the earth.
They live mindfully, radiate positivity, love, and healing, choosing compassion, kindness and acceptance, over hate, judgment and fear.
They smile at strangers for no reason, talk to stray dogs, leave coins on the ground for others to find and they know forgiveness sets us free.
They are creative, love their colourful clothing, enjoy having their feet in the sand, their hands in the earth, and find healing when bathing in the ocean or walking through the forest.
They understand the interconnectivity between humanity, the planet, and every living thing upon it.
They’re grateful for the journey, the lessons life offers and know there’s more to this life than the noise that surrounds us.
They’re not bothered when people mock their whimsy optimism, they dance in spite of it.
Regardless of whats going on around them, they choose to see the light. This doesn’t make them naïve, it doesn’t mean they’re unaware of the darkness. It means they choose to grow in the light.
They’re not perfect, they often trip and fall, but always pull themselves up with a song in their heart, a skip in their step and a light burning bright in their soul.
They’re the light workers. They are the rays of light shining between our darkest moments and harshest storms. They lift us up, make us laugh, provide comfort and offer hope.
They remind us that all storms pass and beyond the darkness theres always, light.
And if you’re one of these ray’s of light, thank you making our world brighter.
Toni O’Keeffe🔆
To one man, the forest is dark, scary, noisy, uninhabitable and cold.
To another, the forest is filled with light, beauty, peace, offers shelter and is filled with warmth.
We don’t see the forest as it is,
we see the forest as we are.
Look for the light and you’ll find it.
Look for the darkness and you’ll find it.
Your heart and soul will wander to the places the mind takes it. A shift in your perspective can turn the cold grip of the world, into a warm embrace.
Focus on the light and the heart and soul will follow. Focus on the darkness, and, well, you get it.
Toni O’Keeffe🔆
Before you decide to;
“put somebody in their place”
“show them the door”,
“read them the riot act”
“take them down”
“teach them a lesson”
“tear a strip off them”
“bully them”
or
“seek revenge”
…..ask yourself if that’s what they really need.
When people are struggling, trying to cope with the chaos and pain in their lives, they don’t need another storm, they need a lighthouse.
Be kind
Be compassionate
Be the lighthouse.
Wishing you a wonderful week ahead.
Toni O’KEEFFE 🌹❤️
If there’s too many trees in a forest, none of them can grow to their full potential. They block the light from one another and nothing new can take root. Life can also be like that.
When we’re surrounded by the wrong people, too much stuff, noise, clutter, negativity, busyness, even our own bad habits, we get distracted and can’t see or feel the light that’s trying to find us.
It’s okay;
When we remove the things that no longer fit into our lives, we realize many of the things we’ve been looking for were always there, hidden in the shadows of what had to go.
Create the “space between the trees”, so the light can shine in and you can grow the life you want to live.
Toni O’KEEFFE 🌹❤️
Imagine you’re on a day hike in the forest, it’s getting dark and you wander off the path.
Your lost. You don’t know which way to go. You don’t have provisions to get through the night, you’re feeling stressed, hopeless, anxious and mad at yourself for not being better prepared.
Then, as you’re stumbling in the dark, exhausted and disoriented, you see a light in the darkness. A spark of hope surges within you and you make your way towards the light.
Your anxiousness turns to excitement.
Your hopelessness turns to optimism.
All because you saw a small comforting glow in the distance.
You’re overcome with joy when you come upon another hiker sitting next to a cozy fire. This person is a stranger, yet, in this moment they’re the most important person in your life.
They offer you shelter, warmth, food and water. You graciously accept. You’re relieved and you feel safe.
In the morning this stranger guides you out of the forest to safety. You hug, shed a tear and say goodbye. Your grateful, humbled and alive.~~~~~~~
We all stumble. At times, we feel lost, alone, anxious, stressed or hopeless. Pride or self doubt might stop us from seeking help.
You sweet soul, when you’re lost, do what you’d do in the forest, look for the ones with the light and let them guide you.
Toni O’KEEFFE ~🌹❤️
Nothing hurts more than the lack of affection we give ourselves.
It’s not arrogant, big-headed or egotistical to like or even love yourself, in fact, it’s necessary.
If you seek love, look in the mirror, learn to appreciate, accept and love that reflection.
Treat yourself kindly, talk to yourself kindly. Nurture your body, mind and spirit with kindness, gratitude and acceptance.
We place far too many expectations on others to love us and make us happy.
Your happiness is your job.
My happiness is my job.
When we learn to love ourselves, we have fewer expectations of others, and that’s liberating.
Amongst 7 billion people on this planet, there’s no one like you.
You’re a magnificent, unique, beautiful and mysterious masterpiece.
Treat yourself like one.
Love yourself like one.
Toni O’KEEFFE ~🌹❤️
Toni O’KEEFFE
April, 2022
Once upon a time there was a boy named Woo.
Woo pondered the concept of “light.”
He had heard terms such as:
“He lit the way for others.”
“She was a beckon of light.”
“He lit up the room.”
“She was glowing.”
Woo did not understand these terms.
He only knew light as the warmth and glow radiating from the sun or the light from a candle.
He was perplexed has he contemplated how a person could be “light.”
So, Woo asked his mother; “Mother, how does a man light the way for others.”
“You will know when someone lights your path and leads you out of the darkness,” she replied.
He asked his grandfather; “Grandfather, how does a woman become a beckon of light?”
“You will know when your mind is awakened and inspired by the wisdom and knowledge of your teachers,” replied his grandfather.
He asked the village healer; “How can a person glow or radiate light?
The healer replied, “You will know when you observe a mother holding her child for the very first time.
All the replies Woo received were different. He still did not understand, so he wandered to the river to sit and contemplate what he’d been told.
Woo saw a disheveled, homeless man sitting next to the River.
“Why do you live like this, alone and without a home?” Woo asked the man?
“What makes you think I’m alone and without a home?” ask the man. “The earth is my home. I’m surrounded by the beauty and light of the world, I’m not alone at all.
The response from the man surprised Woo. “What is the light of the world?” Woo asked.
The man replied “You will know when you witness the smallest act of kindness and your heart is touched. You will know when you no longer judge others for the way they look, think or live, but rather seek to accept and love those who share your path, because you understand we are all apart of a greater light.
“I don’t understand,” said Woo.
“Close your eyes and tell me what you hear?” asked the man.
Woo closed his eyes and listened.
“I hear the powerful rush of the river,” said Woo.
“What created the river?” asked the man.
“Many drops of rain falling from the sky.” Woo replied.
“That’s correct,” said the man. “One raindrop can not force a river downstream but together the droplets are powerful.”
The man then asked Woo to look into the sky. Woo did as he was asked.
“What do you see?” asked the man.
“I see stars lighting up the sky,” said Woo.
“That’s correct, said the man. “One star alone cannot light the sky, but many stars together with the moon can create a path that guides ships and weary sailors home.
“Now, touch the ground.”
Woo placed his hands on the ground.
“What do you feel? asked the man.
“Many blades of grass,” said Woo.
“That’s right,” said the man. “The ground is solid. It holds back the river and helps the river stay it’s course. All those tiny blades of grass with their roots intertwined, are a part of the solid foundation which guides the river to the sea where it meets other rivers and together they fill the Ocean.”
At that moment, “a light” went on in Woo’s head. “I think I understand!” Woo exclaimed. “Everything is connected. Each of us is like one small star, one droplet of rain or one blade of grass.“
“Yes,” said the man.
“Each star, each rain drop, each blade of grass and each one of us shine, grow or flow in different directions. However, when we work together we create something stronger, brighter, better, and more powerful.
We shine our light when we share our courage, strength, wisdom, acts kindness or love with others. We don’t all shine the same. But, we all shine.”
Woo now understood.
“Thank you,” said Woo, for shining your light on my path.”
“And, yours onto mine,” replied the man.
The End
Toni O’KEEFFE~🌹❤️
Once upon a time, there was a woman sitting on a large moss covered rock next to the ocean.
She sat quietly looking out across the water, feeling the sun on her face, the wind blow through her hair, inhaling the fresh sea air and taking in the beauty before her. She could sense an angel was near, and she feared it was “her time.”
The angel approached and sat beside her.
“I felt you were close,” said the woman.
“Were you afraid of my presence?” asked the angel.
“No,” the woman replied. “But I have so many regrets”.
“What are those regrets?” the angel asked.
“I regret I didn’t love myself enough to be who I was meant to be. I lived in fear of judgment, so I didn’t express my love, my creativity or my passions and missed what could have been the best parts of my life.
I realize now all I had to do was love myself, love and accept others as they are, and love this beautiful planet we’ve been given. It’s so simple yet, I made it so hard and, I’ve wasted so much time.”
The angel looked at the woman and said,
“Hmmm, if you had more time, tell me what you’d do?
The woman’s eyes lit up and her posture straightened.
“I’d live my life as a peaceful warrior, promoting kindness. I’d love without fear and without expectations. I’d sing more often, build more sand castles and dance in the rain. I’d explore this amazing planet and I’d express my creativity in ways that felt right for me.
I would set myself free by forgiving anyone who’s ever hurt me. I’d strip hatred, jealousy and judgment from my heart, as these things bring NO joy to me or others.
I’d live in a state of acceptance and embrace the beautiful differences I see in all of us.
I’d spend less time away from the people I loved. I would be less busy, less stressed, less concerned with what others thought, I’d consume less, worry less and be less impatient and less critical. I’d be less offended and make fewer assumptions.
I would BE fully awake, so I could see the world as the magnificent masterpiece she is, and, I would look into the world with grateful eyes and a compassionate heart.”
“That’s beautiful and perfect,”replied the angel. Now, go do those things.”
“What?” replied the woman. Aren’t you here to take me away?”
“No” replied the angel. I’m your angel of wisdom and light. I’ve always been with you. It’s only now that you’re beginning to see me and awaken to the wisdom that’s always been inside of you.”
The woman wept tears of gratitude. “How much time do I have?” she asked excitedly.
“I don’t know. None of us know. You might have an hour, a day, a week, months or many years. But, it will end. It’s the impermanence of life that makes this journey so precious.
No matter what you did yesterday, if you wake up tomorrow, see this new day as a gift. BE present on that day and BE fully awake. And if you wake up the day after that, live the same way.
None of us are getting out of this alive. But, we do get to decide how we live, how we love and what we learn along the way.
The well of wisdom and light you’ve been seeking, its in you. It always has been❤️”
The End
Toni O’K~🌹❤️
Life became easier when I surrendered my own tenacity and began to live with an open heart and an open mind.
There are things I’ve discovered and learned along the way, which I might never have unearthed if I had remained locked in my own stubbornness.
Our struggles often result from our inability to see the possibilities beyond our own thinking and the doctrines imposed on us.
Living with an open heart and mind means considering alternatives, actively listening to opinions different from our own, being kind before jumping to judgment and being aware of signs along the way pointing you in new directions.
Open minds and open hearts, have created more music, magic, poetry, peace, love and light in the world, then closed minds and cold hearts.
Toni O’Keeffe~🌹❤️
The Whimsey Angel 