We need the struggle ~

We need the struggle.

An acorn needs the struggle from the deep earth into the light to establish its roots.

The butterfly needs the struggle from the cocoon into the world to push blood into its wings, so it can fly.

A baby turtle needs the struggle from the nest across the sand, to fire up its leg muscles so it can swim.

Our human struggles are necessary. They help us plant our roots, exercise our endurance and help us grow.

Without the struggle many things, including us, would never grow.

Toni O’KEEFFE🌹❤️

Find your vibe

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 ~🌹❤️

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 🌹❤️

Put it all down

This might be a good day to put it all down.

If you’re carrying the weight of the past,

you’re not living fully in the present.

Whatever he, she or they, did or said to you, let it go. You are NOT the pain or burdens others placed upon you. Nor are you the opinions anyone has of you.

Put it down. Put it all down.

This weight is no longer yours to carry.

Some of it was NEVER yours to carry.

Toni O’KEEFFE ~🌹❤️

———————————

~ Happiness is YOU!

It’s ;

~ YOU not judging and comparing yourselves to others and you accept yourselves as YOU are.

YOU seeing and appreciating the blessings (big and small) all around YOU.

YOU realizing happiness does not come from stuff, but from the attitude we (YOU) have about life.

YOU making the choice to be happy.

Happiness isn’t something we look for. Happiness is YOU.

Toni O’KEEFFE ~🌹❤️

——————————————-

A wise soul will exercise curiosity

before judgement, ask questions

before criticizing, and attempt

to understand before making assumptions.

We all have it in us

to be wise, funky,

beautiful souls.

So let’s be funky!

Toni O’KEEFFE ~🌹❤️

—————————————

That emptiness you sometimes feel?

Perhaps it’s your soul creating space for;

new things,

new ideas,

new adventures,

new people,

to arrive.

This emptiness may feel like loneliness, sadness, a sense of wanting, or disappointment.

Don’t try and fill the emptiness, sit with it, feel it. Then invite it to leave. Use this feeling as an opportunity to open your heart, your mind to receiving something new.

There’s a season for all things and all people, to come in and out of our lives.

Let them come, and,

Let them go.

Toni O’KEEFFE ~🌹❤️

——————————

In the

right light,

even the

darkest of

storms cast

a beautiful

light.

No matter what

you’re going through,

there’s light

behind this storm.

Toni O’KEEFFE ~🌹❤️

———————————

We miss so much

as we rush through life.

If you knew

everything you

love today, would

be gone tomorrow,

including your family,

friends, your stuff,

your home, your pets,

would you slow down and

live differently?

would you look

at the world differently?

would you act differently?

It all will be gone, all of it,

love it all exactly like that.

Toni O’KEEFFE ~🌹❤️

——————-

“Thank you for the good times, the bad times and the learning and growing we did together. I’m wiser, stronger and kinder because I had this time with you.”

Let these be your parting words as you walk away from ANY personal, professional or intimate relationship that’s come to an end.

If they you hurt you, let you down, caused you pain ~ forgive them. Learn from it.

The hate, disappointment, anger, fear, or regret you carry, feeds your pain, not theirs.

Walk away with a grateful heart knowing you’re wiser, stronger and kinder because of the time you spent together.

Even if it was painful, be grateful that this lesson is over.

Toni O’KEEFFE ~🌹❤️

——————————-

Life will hurt.

Nature will heal.

If you want

to hurt less,

you know

where to go.

Toni O’KEEFFE ~🌹❤️

————————————

Look at you,

enjoying life,

finding joy,

laughing, spending

time with people

who lift you up,

loving yourself,

letting go

of all that

toxic stuff.

Way to go!!!

Oh, this isn’t you?

Why not?

Toni O’KEEFFE ~🌹❤️

—————

Pain has purpose.

let it hurt,

let it heal

then,

let it go.

Toni O’KEEFFE ~🌹❤️

———-

At any moment,

in any day,

you can stop,

and decide to

do things differently.

to live differently,

to love differently,

to care for yourself

or others

differently.

You have more

control over this

grand adventure

than you realize.

Toni O’KEEFFE ~🌹❤️

—————————-

Want to heal

the heart,

the mind,

the body,

the soul.

slow your pace,

slow your breath,

Step into nature

Toni O’KEEFFE ~🌹❤️

—————-

Don’t waste your energy creating anger, hate, doubt, jealousy,disappointment, physical pain

Use it to create warmth, kindness, tolerance, self love

~ You have never made a mistake, ever.

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 ~🌹❤️

Thank you for not giving up❤️

To the artists, dancers, singers, musicians, composers, poets, writers and creators~ who were told “you’re not good enough” and told to give up your creative dream and get a real job……..
THANK YOU for NOT giving up!
You add the colour, the music, the passion, the words, the fun and the inspiration our world so desperately needs right now.

Your creative gifts are the tether we cling to as our world dangles in peril.

Some of the most creative minds including; Vincent Van Gogh, Paul Cezanne, JK Rowling, Elvis Presley, Fred Astaire, Walt Disney, and many more, were told to give up their creative dreams ~ thankfully they didn’t listen.

“Imagination is more important than knowledge.” ~ Albert Einstein

Toni O’KEEFFE ~🌹❤️

Be grateful for “the ones”

Be grateful for the ones who show up and love you exactly as you are.

The ones who go along for the ride, just to make sure you’re safe.

The ones who shelter you from life’s storms and bring out the sun to celebrate your greatness achievements.

The ones who know when you need time alone to just be.

They ones who are patient, stand back and let you live your learning.

The ones who never judge you or ask you to change, in fact, they ask for almost nothing.

The ones you turn your back on from time-to-time and when you turn back around, there they are, still standing in your corner cheering you on.

The ones you call to talk to about anything and they listen without judgment even when you make no sense at all.

They might be a parent, grandparent, a
sister, brother, cousin, lover or loyal friend ~ you may not always be kind to them ~ you may not always thank them for showing up – but, they always do.

One day they might be gone, don’t take them for granted. Be grateful for the ones who show up and love you ~ exactly as you are.

Toni O’KEEFFE ~🌹❤️

Get Messy~

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 ~🌹❤️