Harness Your Power: Key Questions for 2010

As you finish 2009 and enter 2010, I want you to consider some key questions to help you get clear:

Who am I? 
What characteristics do I choose to cultivate and embody?
What do I want in every aspect of my life? 
How do I desire to feel when I wake up each day?
How do I desire to be in my relationships?

Please find an hour this week to sit silently and meditate on these questions.  Open your heart.  Release all limitations.  You are not your past -- you are who you choose to be in THIS Moment! 

Use these questions to become clear on a listen of your Daily Resolutions for 2010.  To reach New Year's Resolution takes a day-by-day commitment.  Write your Daily Resolutions for 2010 and then post them in a place you will see them every morning when you wake up and every night before you sleep.  I'd even suggest you carry a copy with you in your pocket to be a constant reminder to you.

You can be any person you want to be.
You can create the type of life you truly desire.

Take time to answer these questions and get clear...those who are clear are much more likely to experience what they want in life!

Much love to you,
Patricia Omoqui, The Thought Dr.
http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/

Harness Your Power: Give Yourself the BEST Gift!

The most important gift we can give ourselves is Self-Love and Acceptance.  How might your life change if you moved beyond all self-doubt and self-criticism and decided to simply, unconditionally value yourself?

Here are a few ideas to help you:

To overcome your self doubt, the first and most important step is to become fully aware of your self-criticism. Take today and really study your thoughts. Why is it that you doubt yourself? What is it that you believe about yourself that causes you to think you aren’t as good as other people or that you can’t attain the level of success you desire?


To really get beyond self-doubt, you need to know why you doubt yourself.

Observe your thoughts. Write down on paper what you think so that you can see it clearly.

Next, ask yourself, “Where did these thoughts come from?” Look closely and try to get a sense of who told you this about yourself or why you decided this was true.

You may begin to see that your parents, siblings, teachers, friends etc. convinced you years ago that you aren’t good enough or you don’t have what it takes for success.

QUESTION THIS!

You are born with intrinsic value and a unique set of gifts. How could the Creator make mistakes in how you were created? You are an incredible person, one with great power. To activate your power and potential you must open to knowing your personal value. Value doesn’t come from what you achieve or what possessions you have. You ARE valuable already. Once you know this, everything in your life will begin to change.

Remember that these old thoughts of self-doubt are habits. You’ve been practicing this type of thinking for many years. So, it will take some effort to create a new set of thinking habits.

Here are some new possibilities:

I am amazing.

I am valuable.

I am important.

I am here for a reason.

I am gifted.

I am talented.

I am strong.

I am full of love.

I enjoy life.

I have fun all the time.

I am kind to others.

I am smart.

I am a leader.

I lead by example.

I listen to my heart

I respect others.

I speak my truth.

I am honest.

I love to read and learn.

I make the World a better place.

That’s enough to get you started.

To move beyond this self-doubt will take some effort on your part. But, if you do, the rewards will pay off in HUGE dividends for the rest of your life.

I have written many articles on the topic of self-esteem. If you want more of this type of writing from me, send me an email at allure@patriciaomoqui.com and let me know you want to move beyond self-doubt.

If you want to share your observations of your thoughts with me, then drop me another email and tell me what you’ve discovered. I can help you find alternate thinking that will empower you in 2010.

Also, I have a free daily email list that can support you in seeing yourself in a more positive way. Go to my website www.patriciaomoqui.com and put your email in the red box called Food For Thought if you are interested in receiving these.

Blessings and Love,

Patricia Omoqui, The Thought Dr.

www.patriciaomoqui.com

Harness Your Power: Joy & Passion

Today I write in honor of my oldest daughter, Maggie.  This Tuesday Miss Maggie Moo will turn 7 years old.  I'm amazed at how quickly these years have gone by. 

For those of you who know me well, you are aware that I call Maggie my greatest teacher.  It was her arrival in my life that caused me to do some deep soul searching.  At three months of age we were told that Maggie was a floppy baby.  She underwent every test thinkable only for us to be told they didn't know why she had low muscle tone.  We were left in total uncertainty -- told that Maggie might not walk, talk or be "normal."

I celebrate my daughter today!  She can walk.  She struggles still getting up the stairs.  She can talk.  She still has speech therapy and is not as understandable as other kids her age.  She has developmental delays and yet is learning to read, write and do simple math problems.  She is tenacious.  She never gives up on learning.  Thankfully she is a born teacher.  Whatever she does in the classroom at school she carries home to instruct her baby dolls all evening long.

My daughter was officially diagnosed with Prader Willi Syndrome when she was 5 years old.  I'm learning that this syndrome has a wide range of possibilities for a person's life.  I'm coming to understand that we have no idea what her future will bring so we need not spend our time worrying about it or wondering.  Maggie has taught me to live in the present moment and embrace life wholeheartedly.  That is how she lives.  She doesn't even know that she has this syndrome.  She simply lives with zest and freedom.

I give thanks today for physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, doctors, nurses and supportive family and friends who have helped us make so much progress.  Maggie is resilient.  She is smart with a very sharp set of ears --she NEVER misses a word that is said and we are often shocked when she reminds us of what we said!

I look back now and see that if I had spent the last 7 years in worry, I would have been miserable.  Instead, I have focused on the beauty in Maggie.  I've accepted her journey as HER journey, not one to be measured against other children.  I have celebrate each step of progress and watched in wonder at how she always has kept a happy spirit and a brilliant smile.

Maggie follows her passion.  She loves to teach.  She told her pre-school teacher one day that she was going to take her job and that her teacher would have to go get a job at McDonalds!  That is how serious Maggie is about her teaching.  For her birthday she asked for a white board and markers.  Since opening her gift yesterday she has been using the white board to further instruct her babies.

I am in awe as I watch her.  She jumps for joy almost every day.  She loves life.  She loves others.  She is kind.  She is helpful and motherly.  She is all that I could ever have asked for in a daughter.

Here is what I want to say to her this week:  "Thank you Miss Maggie for stimulating me to be joyful and follow my passion.  It is because of you that I am an inspirational speaker, life coach and writer.  I love you.  I am in awe of you, Mom"

Please, in honor of Maggie and because life is so short, follow your passion.  Do what comes naturally.  Remember what makes you tick, what you can't get enough of and begin to incorporate it into your life.

And, this week, please find at least one opportunity to jump up and down and celebrate life like my dearest daughter.  Notice that as you do this you MUST smile.  Jumping for joy is fun.

Living with joy and passion,
Patricia Omoqui, The Thought Dr.
http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/

Harness Your Power: Express Your Love

An emotional and interesting week it has been.  Late Sunday night I received a call from a good friend who told me that her 22 year old daughter with Cystic Fibrosis had passed away.  Life is short. 

On Friday evening I went to the viewing.  I was impressed by the incredible outpouring of love and support shown by friends and family.  This young woman had made an incredible impact on people with her courage, resilience and determination to live a full life in spite of her debilitating condition.

As I looked at each of the people standing in line at the viewing I realized that this 22 year old girl continued to live in the hearts of each of these people.  In fact, the love she had shared with all of these people lives on.  Love has no end.  Love continues to grow and deepen whether we are present on earth or not.

Share your love.  Give it freely.  Don't hold back because of your fear or insecurity.  Instead, offer it generously.  Lavish it on those you meet.  Love is what makes a lasting impact.  We are beings of love here to join with one another in love.

Today was the funeral.  Another imprint left deep on my heart was the amazing connection between those at the funeral.  Hugs, kisses, holding of hands, patting of shoulders...so much touching and kindness extended all around the room.  Why don't we see more of this shared freely between people every day?

Take the time to share your love through these embraces.  Wouldn't every day feel better if you received a loving touch from those who are close to you and even from those who are merely acquaintances. 

As one of my friends reminded this evening, the people in our lives are merely "on loan" to us for a period of time.  We never know when that time will come to a close.  So, express love NOW.

Later in the week I received an email from a college teammate who had her first child.  Ironically the baby was born the same day that the 22 year old had passed away.  Life ebbs and flows.  People arrive and people depart.  The Eternal spirit is present here and continues on when we leave our body behind.

I offer you my love today,

Patricia Omoqui, The Thought Dr.
http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/

Harness Your Power: Embrace the "F" Word!

You may think I’m crazy to say this, “I am proud when I FAIL!”


FAIL is a four-letter word many of us stay as far away from as we can.

None of us like to consider ourselves failures…we have come to believe that failing is something bad, something we should dread and avoid at all costs.

Maybe we’ve gotten our belief all wrong.

“Failure” is merely an attempt to do something that doesn’t work out the way we had wanted it to. Failure is for the courageous -- it is taking a risk, giving an idea a try.

Failure means we have boldly put ourselves to a test.

Failure is good. Failure is just another step of growth on the path of success.

Why aren’t you taking steps on your personal dreams for success?

Do you hesitate to act for fear of failing?

If so, consider the wise words of Barack Obama, “Making your mark on the world is hard. If it were easy, everybody would do it. But it’s not. It takes patience, it takes commitment, and it comes with plenty of failure along the way. The real test is not whether you avoid this failure, because you won’t. It’s whether you let it harden or shame you into action, or whether you learn from it, whether you choose to persevere.”

The only true failure is not trying, not acting when you know what can be done…the only real failure is withholding your unique talents, perspectives and action.

Please, my brothers and sisters--step forward and TRY! Just do your best in improving your life, your community and your nation. We need you to learn and grow.  Growth comes from trying.

Trying hard and failing often…but always learning, growing and giving my best,

Patricia Omoqui, The Thought Dr.

www.patriciaomoqui.com

Harness Your Power: Prepare for the Holidays (and Challenging Family Members)

In the spirit of Thanksgiving (for those here in the United States) and for those getting ready for the December Holiday Season, I thouhgt I'd offer you some ideas to get prepare for the interesting and sometimes difficult interactions with family and friends.

1. NOTHING needs to be taken personally -- especially in regards to your family members! Remember that just because they are snappy, judgmental, or overly direct, you really never know what is happening inside them.  But, the way they act toward you has to do with THEM not you.  Be as compassionate and understanding as you can.  Let what they say go in one ear and out the other rather than taking this to heart. 

2. Be a kid...have fun, lighten up, relax, let it flow...take the days you have visitors in stride and focus on fun and laughter and love.

3. PEACE and LOVE and JOY...these are your key words...if you focus on creating moments of this, and release all heavy energy, this will be a wonderful time.

4. Before next Thursday write a list of everything you like and appreciate about those who you dread interacting with the most.  Keep the list in your pocket on Thanksgiving day and as soon as you feel yourself getting worked up, then stop and read...focus on the good, focus on the good...let the rest go.

5. Be you and enjoy the moment. Make sure that you enjoy yourself.  For those of you who get tired of dealing with difficult adutls, why not get on the floor with the kids or go outside and play!
Hope some of these tips work for you!  You won't know unless you give them a try.


Here are a few affirmations to use in preparing mentally.  Pick one or two of these each day and repeat them to yourself often.

I have a peaceful, loving holiday with my family.

We grow together and love each other more.

I am compassionate toward _______________ (fill in the blank with a challenging person).

I see the best in each person.

I offer love and kindness.

Nothing is personal.

I let people be who they are!

I lighten up and have a good time.

I laugh and eat and smile and cook and play.

I give thanks for it all...even the difficulty!

With love,
Patricia Omoqui, The Thought Dr.
http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/

Harness Your Power: Peaks and Valleys

I was reminded today that life is a series of cycles --there are ups and there are downs, there are times of rain and times of drought, there are times of plenty and times of want.  When we understand that there is value in all situations, the "down times" allow for tremendous learning.

When we resist these difficult times, we feel tremendous suffering and exhaust ourselves.  What if we could relax and know that there are important lessons to learn, essential people to interact with and powerful tools to gain?  Though it might not feel easy or less intense, the challenges take on a new color and texture.

I want to encourage you today to ask the following questions if you are facing difficulties:

What is it that I am learning from this time?
What if I knew this challenge was purposeful for my soul's development?
What if I could open my eyes and see the situation from a totally different perspective?

I'm asking these questions myself.  In doing so, I am finding some fascinating answers.  I'm being reminded that life happens only one moment at a time.  I need not worry about 2 weeks from now or 2 years from now.  I can instead open to what is available to me in the moment I am living.  I can open to the gifts of today.

I am finding many miracles and blessings in these times even though they feel hard.

I offer you my love.  If I can be of assistance to you please drop me an email.

All is well,
Patricia Omoqui, The Thought Dr.
http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/