Monday, February 23, 2009

Harness Your Power: What's Right?



Have you noticed that when you worry about something that your suffering intensifies? Are you aware that when you re-live situations from the past, fretting about them, that you are suffering about something you can never change?



As I worked with several clients this week I was reminded of the importance of what we choose to focus on. This may sound very simplistic to you, and it actually is. Each moment we have choices to make: Will we focus on what seems wrong in a situation or will we focus on what seems right?


My grandmother is a wonderful woman. About four months ago, due to some major health issues, her sons and daughters realized that she needed full time care. They moved her to a nursing home in the area. This was a major change for her. At first, she could only find things wrong with the situation--the food was terrible, the people who worked there were not nice enough, and the bed was uncomfortable.


It was hard to see her resist this change but our family understood that she was going through something difficult. We were patient and did our best to see the good in the situation for her until she could see it herself. After about 2 months she began to settle in. One night my mom called me and said, "You'll never believe what Grammy said." She continued, "She said how she loved the food and how the people are so kind to her!" Wow. What a change this was.


Did the situation change? No. My grandma's focus changed. It went from finding the things she didn't like to appreciating the things she did like. As a life coach, it was fascinating for me to observe this transition.


My grandmother, as well as my clients, always remind me that if I'm going to teach people to focus on the positive aspects of situations, then I better do the work too! So, moment after moment, I search for any good thing I can find in the challenges in my personal life and in the World at large. It is amazing that there is ALWAYS something good to focus on -- even if it is something small, there is good in everything.


I challenge you this week to lessen your personal suffering by posting these questions all around you (in your home and in your office -- maybe even your car): "What's Right? What positive aspects can I find (in this person, in this situation etc.) "


If nothing comes to mind, then just be quiet. Listen. You will be guided to new perspectives and new ways to see life. Awaken to each moment -- miracles abound.


May you see the blessings all around you, even in seemingly dire circumstances,
A big hug of comfort and love,
Patricia Omoqui
http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/


Monday, February 16, 2009

Harness Your Power: Be Thankful

So many people are in the midst of challenging times. The key to finding peace is to stay centered in the present moment and take stock of the multitude of blessings in our lives. There is always something good to find. There is always something to smile about.

I've been focusing my attention on the blessings. Whenever my mind goes towards worries, I stop. I decide that I will stay positive and I will avoid suffering by letting go of worry-based thoughts that arise in my mind. Even when things are tough I see now that I don't need to suffer even more by going over the issues in my mind over and over and over. I used to do this all the time and find myself sick to my stomach, exhausted and wanting to hide from life.

I have realized that I always have what the Universe desires for me in each moment. Everything (whether abundance or lack) is a blessing. It is an opportunity for me to stretch my mind and expand my heart. It is a privilege to walk through challenge because it gives me more opportunities to implement what I say I believe.

So, this week, take time every day to list on paper all that you can be thankful for. If you find your mind spinning and upset about the challenges in your life, stop and breathe. Release your burdens to the Universe. So much of what we worry about is not in our control. Let's not focus our energy on the things we can't control. Instead, let's control our attitude.

If you are looking for a great book, I'm reading one right now called Happiness Is A Choice. It's EXCELLENT to read right now!

A big hug to all,
I'm here to support you any time you need me!

Patricia Omoqui
http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Harness Your Power: Move to Deep Inner Peace and Calm


This has been an interesting week for me. I feel as if my internal energy has been shifting and growing more calm. My grandfather's death triggered some deep intensities -- though I miss him, I knew that what I was experiencing was different than grief. This event stirred up some of my deepest fears and pain. For a few days I sat with this old energy and just watched it. After I moved through it, I experienced a state of calm and peace deeper than I've know my whole life.


Even though there are many seeming challenges in my life I feel relaxed and peaceful. I am experiencing evidence of these internal changes in my outer world. As my energy is shifting inside, I see "stuck" points and areas of clutter in my house disappearing. Though I've envisioned these changes for a long time, they are suddenly getting resolved. I am able to simply and easily move into the space and take care of it. I wasn't able to do that before.


I also find that the Universe truly does make my schedule. When I stop worrying about how things will work out, they just do work out easily and effortlessly. My daughter Skye got a stomach bug on Wednesday night. I had several life coaching clients scheduled for Thursday. Skye needed my attention on Thursday when she stayed home from school. I was shocked when 2 of my 3 clients called and cancelled their appointments. This rarely happens! Then, when my remaining client called, Skye was asleep and I was able to give my full attention to coaching. There is truly nothing to worry about. Everything works out perfectly.


I am also getting to a deeper knowing of a verse in the Bible that says something like, "No matter what state I find myself in, I can be content." I feel truly satisfied right now with what I have. I even feel that if for some reason I lost everything, that the peace that passes understanding would still be there. And, if for some reason the Universe poured millions of dollars into my life, I'd still be in peace. My joy, peace and hope don't come from the material world, it comes from my connection to my Source.


I don't know if I'm expressing in words the profound sense of calm that I have within. My energy used to be so frantic, fearful and worried. I've focused for the last few years on shifting my thinking, on healing the deep hurt and pain in my being...and at last, I've come to a level of peace I thought to be possible....but now know to be possible.


I look forward to journeying deeper into this peace. I apologize if these ramblings aren't fully clarified. I am trying to express this new experience in words and sometimes words aren't adequate to express what we feel.


I wish you deep peace and inner calm this week.

There is nothing like it. It changes everything.


A big hug to all,

Patricia Omoqui

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Harness Your Power: Love and Give


This has been a shocking week for me. On Thursday I received a call from my mom. She told me that my grandfather had passed away. I could hardly believe the news. Even though he was 87, he was strong, positive and a constant in my life. Saturday we had a simple but touching memorial service to celebrate his life. As people shared stories about my grandfather and talked about how he had impacted their lives, the theme became clear: he loved and accepted every person he encountered and he had a giving heart. (This picture shows my grandfather and my niece, Trinity on Christmas Eve this past year).


It's amazing to see the ripple effect that my grandfather's love had on our family. Because of him, my mom learned to be kind and truly accept people. Thus, she passed that gift on to me and taught me, through her example, that every person I encounter is important, special and worthy of love.


My grandfather was extra-special to me. After my parents divorced when I was 16, my dad was absent from my life. During those years, my grandfather played a vital role. He came to all my volleyball and basketball games. He was one of the loudest voices in the stands, "Go Trish!" I heard that throughout every game and it was so comforting and encouraging to have him cheering me on. He was there when I scored my 1,000 point at Souderton High school. He walked me down the aisle at my wedding. He was at the hospital soon after each of my children were born. No matter where I was traveling or what I was up to in my life, I knew my grandfather was thinking of me, supporting me and praying for me.


An amazing life. I believe life is so very simple. Our true purpose is to be love, to share love and to engage in loving acts to show others they are important to us. That's it. Very easy to do. So, why does it get so complex?


It's ironic to me that today our pastor spoke about being a generous giver. It's like the Universe continued the theme from the memorial service yesterday -- what joy comes when we are willing to give from our heart lovingly. As we do, we receive tremendous gifts in return. There is no need to be stuck in a "MINE" mentality -- guarding our possessions, striving constantly after more stuff, postponing our joy for a day when we have more.


On another note, I had the opportunity to spend some extra time with my daughter Maggie this week when we went to a doctor appointment. On my way home she said to me, "Mom, I love my life. I love our neighborhood. I love my house. I love my friends. I love my school bus. I love my family." Wow. She has never so clearly expressed her gratitude for her life. I smiled wide as I heard her words. I am SO thankful to have a 6 year old daughter who loves life. There is very little more that I can ask for than that my children be happy, grateful and full of love.


I desire to pass on to my children what my grandfather gave to me: I want them to understand that every person is an incredibly unique creation of God. I want them to learn by my example that each person deserves to feel respected, accepted and loved rather than judged.


My joy in life right now is so profound. Though my grandfather's death has brought many tears, it has also shown me how simple, loving acts can make a tremendous difference in the world.


May you be filled with inspiration to LIVE LOVE this week.

All my love for each of you.


Patricia Omoqui