Tag: Spiritual

What are you afraid of?

by The Whimsey Angel, posted in Life Journey

If my spiritual beliefs, my gay friends, the colour of my skin, the company I keep, the size of my body, my clothes, my hair, my taste in music, the language I speak, or anything else I do or anyone does, that doesn’t harm you, but offends you, look in the mirror and ask yourself, WHY?
What is it you’re afraid of?

We come into the world with a huge capacity to love, it’s our natural state. No matter what circumstances we’re born into, we’re all born with a heart ready to love.

Hate and intolerance are learned behaviour and stem from fear, ignorance and insecurity, often passed on by others.

Of course, we’ll disagree, debate and have different perspectives on things. That’s normal. It’s through civil conversations and debate that we learn and grow. These are healthy outlets and not the same as racism, hate, bullying or berating those who think, look or act differently than we do.

So, rather than living in a state of fear or ignorance about something or someone, choose to be curious and learn about it or them.

Learning about each other fosters compassion, kindness, understanding, acceptance and, erodes fear and insecurity.

We’re not supposed to be the same. It’s the diversity of our human population that has allowed humanity to grow and achieve extraordinary innovations in the areas of technology, medicine, science, engineering, agriculture, space exploration, artistic creation, and so much more, BECAUSE WE ARE DIFFERENT.

Yup, there will be some people we never agree with or get along with, doesn’t mean we have to hurt or kill them.

We’re one human family, living on one planet, under one sun. Our chances of survival will be a whole lot better if we all start getting along.

Toni O’Keeffe🔆

“You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will be as one”
~ John Lennon

One day…

by The Whimsey Angel, posted in Life Journey

One day you’ll;
🌷stop trying to impress others,
🌷no longer feel the need to win every race or argument,
🌷stop explaining yourself and forcing connections that feel uncomfortable,
🌷realize your peace and your energy is sacred,
🌷stop chasing people and things that are not meant for you,
🌷stop wanting more and be grateful for what you have,
🌷walk away before your soul becomes heavy,
🌷appreciate simple things, like, calm mornings, good people, a good book, the sites and sounds of the natural world, and a life that’s not hurried or rushed.

And when this day arrives, you will bask in the beauty, the wisdom and growth you’ve acquired along the way, and settle into the most comfortable and joyful part of life.

Now, you just have to pick the day.

Toni O’Keeffe🔆

Your soul is safe

by The Whimsey Angel, posted in Life Journey

We all have days where life feels heavy. Days where you just feel off and don’t know who, what or where you’re supposed to be. Days where the demands, the change coming at you or the sadness, can be overwhelming. You might not know where these feelings are coming from, but, there they are.

But also know this; no matter what’s going on around you or what the world throws at you, there’s purpose and learning in all of it. Even the really painful bits.

Your soul knows what it’s here to do. It understands the challenging times, and the hard stuff life throws at you.

Trust that your soul is taking care of you as you go through these difficult days. Listen to the inner voice of your very wise little soul, she has a plan, and holds the secrets to everything.

No matter what you’re going through, know that you’re okay, and know that your precious soul is always, always, safe.

Toni O’Keeffe🔆

You beautiful little raincloud

by The Whimsey Angel, posted in Life Journey

The clouds can only hold so much pressure before they burst and rain falls.

We’re similar, we can only take so much before the pressure builds and we burst (metaphorically).
But there’s lots we can do before it gets to that point;
~ learning to say no,
~practicing meditation and mindfulness,
~ engaging in creative expression,
~ regular self-care (including proper nutrition, sleep, and exercise)
~ nurturing an attitude of gratitude,
~ journaling,
~ talking to someone,
and
~ setting boundaries will help.

We’re basically beautiful little rain clouds. We have to take care of ourselves so we’re prepared to weather the storms that come with this extraordinary human journey. And, when things do get too heavy, you’re allowed to let them go.

Toni O’Keeffe🔆

Focus

by The Whimsey Angel, posted in Life Journey

Our minds and bodies respond to what we focus on.

When the big things become overwhelming or chaotic, focus on the little things, the things you’re grateful for and bring you joy.

It might be a sunrise, a great cup of coffee, the view from your favourite spot, your favourite furry friend in your lap, a warm bath, slowly inhaling fresh air, a walk along the ocean, a ride or stroll along your favourite forest path, seeing snow drops and crocuses bloom in spring, your health, your home, your loved ones. Whatever it is, wherever you are, focus on what feels good, what’s working and what brings you joy.

You don’t have to calm the chaos. You only have to focus on bringing calm to yourself. The chaos will pass.

Toni O’Keeffe🔆

Adulting is not working

by The Whimsey Angel, posted in Life Journey

Clearly, adulting is not working,(anywhere in the world).

So let’s put it all down, stop talking and start laughing, stop listening to the news and instead, take time to listen to birds chirping, children playing, rain falling, rivers flowing or waves crashing.
Stop scrolling, and take a break from the noise, the politics, the anger, the chaos; and, pull out some crayons, Lego, or play-dough, or go outside and make a tree-fort or make some mud, blow some bubbles, or watch bugs do bug stuff, and remember what it’s like to be playful, creative, happy, connected and alive.

Let’s all just take a break from whatever “This” is.

Toni O’Keeffe🔆

You’re not selfish

by The Whimsey Angel, posted in Life Journey

YOU’RE NOT SELFISH.
You’re allowed to say no, not just when you’re too busy, but, when what’s being asked of you;
~ is unrealistic,
~ violates your core values,
~ violates your personal boundaries,
~ will affect your well-being,
~ is unnecessary or unhealthy,
~ drains your financial resources,
~ depletes your energy,
~ feels uncomfortable,
~ makes you feel guilty,
Or,
~ your gut tells you a situation is wrong.

These are situations you might want to say NO to.

We teach people how to treat us, and we build our self esteem, when we set boundaries and when we’re living our values. This isn’t selfish it’s necessary.

Your time, energy and financial resources are assets to be invested in the things that matter.

You, your dreams, your well-being, your life, your values, your loved ones, matter. Invest in that.

Toni O’Keeffe🔆

Life is not a fairytale

by The Whimsey Angel, posted in Life Journey

~ Life is not a fairytale 🧚‍♀️

We’re born into the world as these happy, loving, innocent, free-of-sin little souls who spend the first chapter of life learning how to communicate and live in our human body.

The second chapter of life is spent doing, being, believing and learning, what we’re told to do, be, believe and learn.

The third chapter of life we come to terms with the fact that we don’t want to do, be or believe everything we’ve been told.

Chapter four we spent undoing and unlearning what doesn’t feel authentic, and finally growing into who we’re meant to be.

Then, if we’re lucky, we get a fifth chapter, where we don’t really care what others think or say about us, we’re comfortable in our skin. We have a sense of who we are, and we’re finally able to be our true self.

The wonderful thing about life is, you can skip to chapter 5, at any point. Today, you can jump to chapter 5!

Life is not a fairytale, but, you can still take charge of your happily ever after.

Toni O’Keeffe🔆

The age-of-grace~

by The Whimsey Angel, posted in Life Journey

As the age-of-grace settles in and our hearts soften, we begin to see life through the warmth of our authentic selves, and see life for how she is supposed to be;

~gentle 

~compassionate

~loving

and 

~simple

We begin to remember the loving little souls we were, before the outside world got its messy hands on us and pushed us off our path.

This latter stage of life, when the wisdom and experience we’ve acquired over decades is firmly planted, might be the most beautiful stage of life as we begin to see things as they really are. We shine brighter, letting go of the regrets, the fears, the behaviours, and material possessions that have weighed us down. 

And, although our physical beauty may begin to fade, there’s a new beauty that blossoms, one that whispers a loving caution to those who follow, urging them to let go and live with lighter hearts and tender souls.

But like “us”, the ones who follow, must live their learning, and, if they’re lucky, they too will reach this gentle point in life when they look back and realize they made life too hard, too complicated, perhaps too angry, too chaotic and too cluttered, and, they’ll realize, it didn’t have to be this way.

On any day, in any moment, we can decide to live gently, compassionately, simply and shine brighter than we ever have. Because one day we all reach an age-of- grace where we look back and wish we had.

Toni O’Keeffe🔆