Harness Your Power: Notice Your "Fear Strands"

As I've studied my mind and worked with life coaching clients to help them really understand what is happening in their minds, I've discovered something: We each have a set of "fear strands" that repeat in our thinking. Have you noticed this?

It is almost hilarious to watch it. I know firsthand that it doesn't feel that way because any fear, big or small, can cause extreme inner discomfort. Our patterns become so clear to us when we observe our thoughts. We begin to see the same fears playing over and over and over. These fears drain our energy, put us on edge, make us feel sick to our stomachs and give us headaches.

The fears keep us from stepping forward to live in a way that we truly desire. In the name of fear, we stay in relationships that are hurtful and uncomfortable. In the name of fear, we oblige ourselves to activities even when our plate is already way too full.

Fear is capable of taking over our lives if we allow it to run wild.

For two days this week, my fears began to play in my head. I know my fears intimiately because I’ve studied them for several years. I could see (and emotionally feel) the toll that these old thought patterns were having. Because I am such an intense, emotional person, my fears produced a flow of tears.

Through the whole process, I could see that there was an even deeper letting go that was needed. I saw that I was trying to control things that are not (and will never be) in my control. I became aware of the pressure I was putting on myself to meet artificial deadlines and self-imposed timeframes. I was spinning futures of bad outcomes in my mind.

When I wasn’t able to stop these mental proceses, I at least watched them closely. I felt what I needed to feel. I continued to use the affirmation: “I come to the present moment. I rest in God.” Using this statement did bring me peace and helped to ground me back in the beautiful NOW moment where everything truly is okay.

This week I challenge you to become aware of your unique set of fear strands. Can you list all your major fears on paper? If not, take time to study your mind. Closely watch your thoughts so you can identify them. You are going to see interesting patterns at work. As we identify your patterns, we begin to see that we can choose new ways of approaching life.

These fear strands are beautiful. We need not fear our fears! Notice that when you can slow your mind down and move into your heart, the fears melt away (at least momentarily). The more often you can quiet your mind and move into a deeper, grander part of yourself, the more often you can experience peace in daily life.

You can do it!
I’m here to help you.
My expertise is in helping people harness the power of their minds to create a life they truly love.

from the heart,
Patricia Omoqui
http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/

Harness Your Power: Experience Beauty

I just finished a walk at a park near my home. I saw so many beautiful things. Two white butterflies were playfully fluttering along. A brilliant bluebird darted in front of me. The buds on the trees are forming, some of them are fully open now. There was a gentle breeze that kept me from sweating too much. When I closed my eyes I heard a marvelous symphony of birds chirping, wind blowing, and children laughing. There were four deer feeding on the fresh, green grass.

If I had been lost in mental chatter fretting about tomorrow, I wouldn't have noticed any of it. How do I know this? Because I've lived like that. There have been so many times I went for a walk in this park and didn't notice even one of these things. I'd have myself focused on getting my workout done -- it was a means to an end. I would walk so fast and try to figure out my to do list or how to solve the many problems in my life while I walked.

As I have calmed my mind and learned to live in the moment, I have found life to be incredibly rich and full of beauty. I stop now and marvel when I notice the first orange butterfly of the season land on a nearby flower. I sit on the bench and take a few deep breaths and let my body relax. Life feels easier. There certainly are still challenges -- real and seemingly daunting ones. But, rather than waiting until all my problems are solved to be happy, I choose to be happy and enjoy life right NOW!

The biggest change I've made is in my mind. In using the Harness Your Power process to transform my thinking, I have transformed my entire life experience.

Years ago when my suffering was at its most intense point, I never thought there would be a day that I could say: I am in awe of life and I enjoy life. I used to tolerate each day. Now, I see that there is always something miraculous to celebrate.

This doesn't mean I avoid the challenges. I just approach them in a totally different way. I relax myself. I realize that situations can transform in miraculous ways. I see each moment as perfect for my journey and growth. I have come to understand that I am always being guided. For each difficulty that pops up in my life, there is always a way to move through it!

This week I saw a marvelous example of guidance. David, my husband, came down the stairs. I remembered that I wanted to suggest to him a book I had seen in a local bookstore. "David, you really should read the book Africa Rising," I said. "You have to be kidding me," he replied. He went on to explain, "I was just on the phone with a professor from Drexel and not more than five minutes ago she told me that I needed to read the book Africa Rising." We both chuckled. More and more we are experiencing this clear, direct guidance from the Universe. It's delightful to become aware of how easily we are led along life's path.

As fate would have it, we were about to take the kids to the library to get some books. And, of course, we were able to find the book Africa Rising for David to have at his disposal that evening.

Is life easy or hard?

Is it miraculous or dreadful?

Can you see the beauty all around you?

If you are struggling, please take heart. It is possible to feel better about life. If you need any help or support in doing this, please contact me at patricia@patriciaomoqui.com . I will do anything I can to provide you with my insights and experiences so that you too can feel joy, experience peace and open to the beauty that surrounds us all.

You are loved.

There is hope.

Patricia Omoqui

http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/

Harness Your Power: Learn From Intense Reactions

I had a classic situation of "getting a button pushed" on Easter Sunday. Someone close to me said something and I found myself becoming defensive. I watched myself as this inner reaction was happening. I could sense an escalation so I walked away, took some deep breaths and gave myself some space.

I looked closely at what was said. I knew it wasn't true but I still felt a deep need to defend myself. Why was I being so defensive? I waited for an answer. Then, I saw something going on beneath the surface.

I had a very sensitive spot inside myself. I felt that I had been putting others before myself and this person was accusing me of making myself a priority and pushing others aside. What! How could they think this way!

I tried to understand why this was getting to me and I realized it was because I was putting my needs aside too much to please others. I was "sacrificing" my needs and wants for others. Because of this I had built up some anger and resentment that got activated when this learning partner accused me of putting myself before other people.

What wonderful clarification comes when we find ourselves getting worked up! I actually have grown to celebrate these discoveries. Rather than looking at the other person as being "wrong," I instead turn within and look at why I am feeling so strongly about what has been said or done. As I do this, I always discover meaningful insights to help me grow.

Here is what I gained from the tough moment: if I am going to help others and accommodate the schedules of other people, I should do so because I want to not because I feel I have to do so. I noticed my old pattern that I have of bottling up the way I really feel to keep peace. If I had been expressing the way I felt all along, I wouldn't have been on the verge of a major eruption!

I love my patterns. I know them well. Yet, they still sometimes find subvert ways of staying in operation. What gives me great joy is that these patterns always do get exposed and brought to my attention so I can take another look and see new opportunities for shifting my thinking and behavior.

Watch when you feel someone has "pushed your buttons." Notice intense emotions like anger, disappointment, frustration, guilt or shame. These emotions are clues that point you to more personal learning.

I trust you will enjoy this week, even the moments that feel stressful. There is beauty even in stress!

To your peace and well-being,

Your Learning Partner,

Patricia Omoqui

http://www.patriciaomqui.com/

Harness Your Power: Let go of drama

I share a brief thought with you this week. I attended a party this weekend and the biggest energy drainer I noticed was drama. Little comments turned into hours of discussion. "Can you believe she said that? Did you see what he just did?"

I challenge you to become aware of how often you take comments of others and make them a personal matter. Remember that people project what is going on inside of them and it really has very little (maybe even nothing) to do with you.

What if you just allowed a statement to go in one ear and out the other without taking any of your precious energy? If you can't, notice why these things bothers you so much. What is the "hot button" inside of you that gets pushed because of what another person says? Do you respond and increase the drama?

If you allow your buttons to get pushed, keep an eye on the inner impact. Just notice for now. You may begin to see opportunities for harnessing your power that you weren't aware of before.

To keep your energy intact and be at your most powerful, let go of drama!

With love and power,

Patricia Omoqui

http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/