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 🌹❤️
Showing up for each other is easy.
Sometimes, all we have to do is, put down our phones, be present and listen.
Listen not to judge or advise or jump in with our own commentary, but to really listen, with the kindness and compassion of our whole heart.
Toni O’KEEFFE ~🌹❤️
Guess what?
You are the boss of you.
You’re allowed to slow down.
🍁🧣🍂
Peace, calm, maybe a bit of wisdom,
and even healing, find us when we stop “doing” and rest.
Wishing you a peaceful, calm, happy weekend.
Toni🌹❤️
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 🌹❤️
Have you ever wondered why you’re drawn to certain people, places, music or art?
Chances are you’re in harmony with, and vibrating (vibing) on compatible frequencies with these things and people. Let me explain.
When children play, they know what and who they’re drawn to and in-tune with. They authentically display these connections through their words, actions, drawings and their raw untainted playfulness. As a child, I knew exactly what I was drawn to, and what I loved. In the course of growing into an adult, I forgot or unplugged from, these connections.
Over time our natural connection to things can become weakened by the world around us. To reestablish these connections, we need to tune back in.
When words, images, music and even people, resonate with us and make us feel good, it might be a signal that we’re plugged into a source of energy (a frequency) that’s in harmony with our natural human vibration.
Like-attracts-like, so whether you call this source; energy, spirit, ego, intuition, divinity, soul or another name, this entity recognizes the frequency you’re in harmony with and guides you towards it.
If you want to amplify your connection to your source, try;
[ ] Going into nature where the sounds of our modern world are muffled and the vibrations of nature are in harmony with our bodies and minds. Close your eyes, listen and feel.
[ ] Meditation/prayer; will help quiet your mind so you can feel and hear more clearly and tune into your source.
[ ] Listen to music, wander through an art gallery or read inspirational content, then be aware of the emotions and the sense of connection resonating within you.
[ ] Become playful again. Paint, draw, write, build, hike, kayak, sail, garden or engage in other activities that lift your spirit, quiet the mind and nurture the connection between yourself and your source.
[ ] Find your tribe. Just like the sounds flowing from the strings on a violin can be in-tune with the keys of a piano, so can we be in-tune with some people or, create horrible noise with others. So, find the ones you’re in-tune with.
[ ] While alcohol or drugs, might make us feel good temporally, these things can numb our natural vibrations, alter brain structure and function, making it harder to connect to the things we’re naturally in harmony with.
If you’re struggling, find the source(s) of energy that feel good. You might find it in a person, a forest, a piece of music or another creative outlet that plugs you into your flow and brings balance and harmony into your life.
**Attempts to plug into your source WILL NOT cause electrocution, dry mouth, hair loss, cramps, fever, diarrhea, sore eyes, acne, weight gain, constipation or ED. No renewal prescription is required. 😁
Toni O’KEEFFE ~🌹❤️
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 ~🌹❤️
Everything you need;
to live your best life,
is in here ❤️
not out there…🌍
Your heart
and soul,
they know
the way,
they have
the answers,
they carry
your truth,
Slow down.
Breathe.
Listen.
Toni O’KEEFFE ~🌹❤️
In the end, nothing will hurt
more than;
~ the paths not taken,
~ words not spoken,
~ wounds that didn’t heal,
~ moments lost,
~ joy never found,
~ a life not lived.
We’re here to take a few chances, have a colourful adventure or two, learn about ourselves, the planet and everything around us. To fully feel the highs and lows of this unique human journey. Don’t waste it. Be brave, bold, and curious as you own this thing called life!!
Yup you’ll make mistakes, you’re supposed to. You’ll get hurt, don’t let that stop you. You’ll get knocked down, eventually you’ll get back up and, you’ll get messy, oh well 🤷🏻♀️.
Be fearless, have fun and laugh till it hurts. Everyone of us is a student of life, and everyone of us will mess up, so, forgive those who hurt you, forgive yourself for the times you’ve been less then perfect. Face your fears with all the courage you can muster.
When you exit this ride, I hope your hair is a mess, your knees are wobbly, you’ve lost your hat, the wind has kissed your face so many times your cheeks are raw and, your final thought is “wow, that was amazing, absolutely frickin’ amazing, let’s do it again.”
Toni O’KEEFFE ~🌹❤️
The day may come when the people, things and habits you’re used to, no longer fit or feel like you. Embrace the calling to let these things go and move on.
We’re not meant to stay stuck in the same place or the same mindset.
When water stops flowing it can become stagnate, foul, murky and toxic. If we stay stuck in the same place or mind set for too long, we can also become stagnant, foul, murky and toxic.
Our minds are meant to be exercised and fed. When we’re not grazing on new knowledge, new vistas, new opportunities or new adventures, we can get stuck.
We’re meant to flow, to move forward, to have new experiences, learn new things, challenge our own thinking, and grow.
Change can feel overwhelming and it might feel easier to stay in the box we know. Human beings do this all the time. We stay in uncomfortable relationships, uncomfortable situations, uncomfortable jobs, uncomfortable communities, uncomfortable shoes and uncomfortable behaviours and habits that add little joy to ours lives, because it’s familiar, it’s what, or sometimes “ALL”, we know.
But, once you rise, step out of your comfort zone, stretch your enthusiasm, move beyond your fear and shake off the old, you’re ready to take on the new.
Don’t waste your one beautiful life and your curious and hungry mind, remaining stuck in one place. The place that feels familiar may not be the place you belong.
Toni O’KEEFFE ~🌹❤️
***If you need help getting unstuck, reach out for support🙏🤗
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 ~ 🌹❤️
The Whimsey Angel 