Author: Tonia Tyler

Life is What you Make of it!

“Life is short, and it’s up to you to make it sweet.” – Sadie Delany

When I started on this spiritual journey, I didn’t even know that’s what it was. I started with taking walks in the park just as a way to relax and unwind from the stresses of life. I was under a lot of financial pressure and sunk really fast. The only relief I found was listening to my music and walking in the park.

I remember when I was much younger, I would say: “Life sucks!” Every time I would say that phrase, a woman I used to work with would say: “Life is what you make of it.” That was over twenty years ago and during times of struggle, that phrase has become my flotation device.

It’s true that if you change your mindset, it will change your life.

What does this have to do with bees? Well, I used to be afraid of the bees. After looking at them with a different perspective, I find myself fascinated with watching them lately. I know they are just doing what they are designed to do and they are not paying me no attention.

I love watching the beauty of life unfold today. I believe with all my heart, Mrs. Brown was right. Life is what you make of it, it’s up to us to us to make it sweet!

Thank you, Mrs. Brown.

Quote source: http://happyblackwoman.com/

September 12, 2014
Beautifully Flawed

You are imperfect, permanently and inevitably flawed. And you are beautiful. -Amy Bloom

I was walking in the park this morning when is this little butterfly caught my attention. Taking a closer look at it, I saw its wings were damaged.

Despite the damage to the wings, it still fluttered around among the blossoms.

It’s not what others think that holds us back from our being who we are, but what we tell ourselves that causes the biggest harm.

I’m sure this butterfly isn’t worried about if the world thinks it’s still beautiful or not. Why should we?

Quote Source: http://thoughtcatalog.com/christine-stockton/2013/11/61-quotes-that-will-make-you-feel-beautiful-no-matter-how-you-look/

September 5, 2014
Just Keep Walking

“When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm’s all about.” ―Haruki Murakami

On this one particular morning, I woke up and looked outside and saw the clouds. I have been caught in the rain before, so I really pondered on going. But sometimes the desire out weights the logic.

The walk takes about an hour and a half, if I walk at a fair pace. I was about an hour into the walk when I looked up and saw the dark clouds rolling in. I heard the thunder in the distance, so I knew I was going to get caught. There was no choice but to keep on walking especially if I wanted to get back to my car. This is when you know you just have to brace yourself.

I continued to walk and the rain started falling. The sky got darker and darker and the rain started to pour down harder. I still had quite a ways to go. I was coming to a bend in the path when a deer jumped out. It scared the crap out of me, but I had no choice but to keep on walking. By this time, I wanted to cry. I started thinking I must look like a knucklehead out here on this path in this storm, but I had to keep walking.

I had about another 200 yards to the parking lot where my car was, when there was a very, very, very loud clap of thunder and I saw a flash of lightning. I was so scared I ducked down and wanted run for cover, but where was I going to run to? I kept walking. By the time I got to my car, I was so drenched and surprising feeling accomplished. I had weathered the storm.

In life we have storms that will arise. No matter what happens around us or to us, it’s how we deal with them that makes the difference. By continuing to take one step at a time, I made it through the storm. It was a turning point in my life I will never forget.

Quote Source: http://www.goodreads.com/

August 29, 2014
Are We There Yet?

Acknowledging the good that is already in your life is the foundation for all abundance. -Eckhart Tolle

I have had a rough couple of days lately. There has been this overwhelming feeling like nothing is coming together. The one book that has helped me put some of my feelings into perspective has been Eckhart Tolle’s book A New Earth.

Driving home from the park this morning, I threw a little “tempter tantrum” over things in my life. I can look back know and laugh at myself but this morning was a different story. I finished up my walk on a good note, when all of a sudden an overwhelming feeling of anger hit me. I got mad over my financial situation and the frustration of not having the money I “need” to take care of my family. By the time I got home, my feelings had subsided. I remembered that frustration comes from focusing on the lack instead of the abundance of this universe.

I try so often to stay focused on the fact that I’m not where I used to be, but at times the thought that I’m not where I want to be seeps in and leaves me frustrated. I feel like the little kid in the car that keeps asking are we there yet?

The fact that I realize that this idea of lack is ” just an idea”, I was able to regain focus. I know at I times there will be rough patches that will pop up and I am not alone with these same frustrations. What we want out of this world we have to give to this world. In the book A New Earth, Eckhart Tolle says that also includes abundance.

I hope this helps others realize, we are all in this wonderful thing called Life together.

Quote Source: A New Earth, Awaking to Your Life’s Purpose

August 22, 2014
Beautiful Butterfly

Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. -Arthur Ashe

I started walking regularly over a year ago. I always enjoyed the great outdoors. I grew up in Connecticut where our biggest attraction in my hometown was a lake. We lived about a two miles from town and every summer, the lake was the hangout spot. There is no lake close by to hangout at, but I do have the park.

This morning on the walking path, this is what I saw.

I tried to get this guy off the walking path so he wouldn’t get ran over or stepped on and it took me all of about 5 minutes to get him into the grass.

That’s what I love about my morning walks. There is so much beauty everywhere when we take the time to stop and look.

Wishing everyone a wonderful and relaxing weekend.

Quote Source: http://africanamericanquotes.org/

August 15, 2014