When it all feels like too much; the news, the weather, the loss, the lies, the demands, the cost, the noise, the political unrest, the sadness, the brokenness, or, whatever it is for you, Pause Unplug, step back, and reach for the good stuff. The beauty in nature, the beauty in you, the generosity and kindness of those who love you. Laughter, music, art, pets, flowers, sunshine, rain, colourful sunsets, your favourite cozy blanket, the perfect cup of coffee, the sound of the ocean, a kiss from the wind, and all the other little miracles that surround you.
Let neither success or failure go to your head. Both are simply stepping stones guiding you down your path. Neither make you better, less, above or below anyone.
Judging yourself or comparing your successes and failures to others is futile. We don’t compare a cactus to an oak tree, or, poison ivy to a lotus or, a zucchini to bamboo. While they are all plants, each serve a different purpose within the environment they grow. Like plants, we each play different roles within the environments, families and cultures where we grow.
Be grateful for both your successes and your failures. They are the sign posts pointing the way and fuelling your personal growth.
Let them wander through forests and meadows, explore seasides and mud puddles. Let them dance, sing their whimsy songs, colour outside the lines, paint the sky, hang off clouds, dream their big dreams and tell their tall tales.
When we try to shut down an individuals, creativity and move them onto a path that’s not authentic for them, often, what we’re really doing, is crushing souls.
When we say things like; “grow up” “that’s stupid,” “that’s childish,” or “don’t be so ridiculous;” we might be robbing someone of their dreams, their creative gifts, their playfulness and taking away the thing that gives them joy.
The damage done with a few mocking comments takes only seconds to utter, but decades or an entire lifetime to repair.
Whether they’re four or 84, nurture their joyful, silly, whimsy bits. That spark of wonder is their light, and could evolve into a masterpiece, an important scientific discovery, a life’s work or might merely be the thing that allows an individual to cope in an often cold, critical and angry world.
Let them hang on to their whimsy bits. That’s where the light resides in all of us.
On days when you don’t have it all together, just wing it; the hair, the lipstick, life, everything!! If you’ve got coffee(and maybe a dog),everything’s gonna’ be alright. 🤗☕️🐶 Toni ❤️
This sweet dream carried me away to a field of flowers, where I fell in awe of the tapestry of colour so brilliantly stitched together.
Floating above the field, I gazed down upon tall golden sunflowers reaching for the sky, lupins exploding in hues of purple and blue, sunny daffodils and wild crocus all sharing the same soil and blooming side-by-side.
Crimson poppies, delicate white daisies and purple bachelor buttons their stems splendidly entangled, grew freely, no fences, no boarders, just beautiful wide open space allowing their roots to stretch and grow.
Rays of sunlight touched each flower, and bounced off dew-drops, making every flower sparkle. Tiny delightful buttercups dancing between it all, knit this rich bouquet of diverse colours, scents, sizes and varieties together.
Bees, butterflies, birds and bugs of every type, moved above, below and upon the tapestry doing their part. How wonderfully all life here cooperated, grew, bloomed and thrived perfectly together, it was stunning.
Then a single dandelion, falling to seed at the end of her days, but still so beautiful, called to me and asked me if I’d like to make a wish upon her, I did. I was moved that in her final moments of life, she still had something to offer, and she offered it to me.
As I continued to float above this kaleidoscope of grace and peacefulness, the flowers became us; me, you, my family, my neighbours, strangers and I knew this peaceful field was showing me, how life could be, how life should be.
I drifted back to this world, and woke, with new hope and optimism for our own diverse, and colourful human garden.
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.
The next time you find yourself walking into a battle, confrontation, debate or an argument, ask yourself if you really need to be there.
Not every battle cry is meant to be answered. Some provide the opportunity to rise above whatever (or whoever) is trying to provoke you.
Of course not all conflict should be avoided. Sometimes conflict is healthy and necessary. Conflict can stimulate new ideas, challenge our thinking, lead to problem solving and foster creativity.
However, when emotions are highly charged or, our ethics or morals feel compromised, or, we don’t feel heard or understood, or, we’re recycling the same old arguments and conflicts with individuals who are disrespectful and manipulative, we might be putting our self esteem and mental well-being at risk.
You CAN walk away from the toxic people, relationships, environments or unhealthy patterns of behaviour, that try to call you into battle.
You don’t have to show up for every conflict that invites you in. Your greatest victories may be realized in the battles you never fight ☮️.
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.
The Whimsey Angel 