Harness Your Power: Enjoy the Boring

(Maggie, Skye and two friends at summer camp)

My daughter Skye suggested we go see a movie this weekend. We went to see UP! , one of the recent Disney releases. I must confess to you, I love kid’s movies. In the childish antics and humor always appears a hidden message for my soul.

My favorite scene in UP! is when the young scout tells the elderly man how much he loved going to the ice cream store with his father. After getting their cones, the boy and his father would sit on the curb and play a game – the dad counted the blue cars driving by and the boy counted the red ones.

As the scout finishes telling his story he says, “You know, it’s the boring things I seem to remember the most.”

This one line summed up much of my learning the past year. Most of my adult life I’ve had a sense that my life was only meaningful if I was approaching or having a big, exciting moment. I assumed that the small, ordinary, routine moments were unimportant. In fact, I often rushed through them.

I was missing out on so much beauty in life!

Listening to my children giggle in the living room while I do the dishes is joyful. Scrubbing the floors with Skye "helping" me is an adventure. Tucking the little angels in bed each night is something I wouldn't want to miss. Waking up in the early morning hours to make my morning cup of coffee and spend some quiet time in peace is wonderful. Sitting on the couch with my husband after a long day and having a quiet conversation is relaxing.

Little, daily moments like this are full of deep meaning when you are open to experience them. Notice any dread you feel with the ordinary, the routine or the mundane.

Consider stepping back this week and looking at life with fresh eyes. What might you be missing out on?

Loving the ordinary and the extraordinary too,

Patricia Omoqui, The Thought Dr.

http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/

Harness Your Power: Enjoy This Big World

Every day I go on a walk. With summer here, I forgo the gym and instead take a tour of my neighborhood. I like walking through residential areas and following a similar route because I get a sense of people's lives.

One morning this past week around 8:00 am. I noticed two ambulances parked in front a house. A police car pulled up as did several other cars. Out on the lawn was an African-American man holding his heads in his hands in shock. A white woman was on her cell phone, visibly distressed with tears rolling down her cheeks. Two doors down there were some older people gathered on the front lawn greeting a woman coming out of her car. It seemed apparent that someone had died and they were giving her the news.

I was a very quiet observer. I walked lightly as I moved through the scene trying to be respectful of the deep emotions that emanated from the group. I said a prayer for these people who were beginning the grieving process. I opened to the Spirit of Life, asking that I use each day to be a vessel of love, not wasting a moment on worry or doubt. Life moves so quickly and you just never know when it will be time to move on to the eternal realm.

As I neared the corner, I passed a huge bush. I heard, "BZZZ. BZZZZ. BZZZZ." I can't describe how loud this buzzing was! I immediately walked onto the street as I rounded the sidewalk and kept a distance from what appeared to be a huge bee's nest. It reminded me to follow my intuition and give space to people (or bees) who need it. Sometimes it is best to be an invisible walker. Just observing. Aware. Tuned in to one's surroundings.

Since I was a teenager, I have exercised almost every day -- either running (when my knees were in better shape) or taking long walks. I had the joy of traveling the world and everywhere I went, I found a way to integrate my morning routine into my daily life.

In Haiti when I was a counselor at a children's camp, I rose with the roosters, walked to a local field and ran in circles in the morning humidity until I worked up a good sweat. In Brazil, before going out to the schools to teach kids basketball (and about self-esteem) I would run around two ponds right near the house I was staying. In England, I'd go to a nearby forest and run like a free spirit through the forest, no trail, dodging trees along the way.

Last night, my husband and I had a date. After a meal of Mexican food, we took a stroll along the Schukyill river. In the fresh evening air I had memories of my walks flood into my mind. I was poignantly reminded that I love other cultures and I love walking. There are so many places to see in this beautiful World! There is so much to experience. Yet, so many people get stuck in their comfort zones, with a sense that life is boring. They get into a rut of doing the same thing every day, with the same people, in the same area.

There are so many activities to try! Have you ever painted? Created a video? Experienced yoga? Gone to the theatre or the opera? Gone for a hike or to watch birds? Visited a country you know very little about simply to open your mind and explore? There are so many places (locally and internationally) to experience. There are countless ways to spend our time and energy. So, why do we get stuck in the familiar?

Even though I've been a World explorer, I've experienced these ruts too. This week I've been reminded of the possibilities of breaking free and going back to being a kid again. My daughters will try anything and they will do it with all their energy and enthusiasm. They embrace new people like they've known them for years. I'm continually inspired by them.

This week I challenge you to notice the routines in your life. Become aware of which ones feel really supportive and helpful to you. For me, my time for physical exercise is one which I adore: it raises my energy and calms my mind.

Then, notice the routines that you are stuck in--the ones that you do habitually but always feel a sense you should change. Open to see the possibilities of using your time and energy in adventuresome ways.

Life is an adventure or a bore -- it all depends on your approach.

I sense a new chapter emerging in my life. I've been in a nesting phase since 2000. Never thought I would have lived in the area I'm in for this long. It's served an important purpose for me -- had 2 kids, got clear on my career, gained wisdom I never knew was possible. Yet, my inner yearning for adventure and exploration is calling me.

You just never know what the next year might bring!

What would you like to experience?

You have power to open and create something fantastic!

A big hug,

Patricia Omoqui

http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/

Harness Your Power: Stop Comparing!

It's so interesting how Facebook, MySpace and other sites have the power to connect us with people we haven't seen in ages! For some it's fun to reconnect, for others, it brings up some interesting issues.

Recently a young man approached me online via instant message telling me that he had reconnected with some of his schoolmates online. He then said, "That my problem." I wondered what he meant so I asked a few more questions. Come to find out he had begun feeling really bad about himself because he felt he wasn't doing as well as his friends. He felt intense pressure to figure out how to catch up!

Do we really need to "keep up" with our friends and family members? Does it matter if they appear to be more successful or further along in their journey than we are? Why can't we feel inspired when we see what others have achieved rather than thinking there is something wrong with us?

These are good questions to ponder this week. After much consideration, I've concluded that I'm happy for anyone who gets great results in their lives! Yes, I certainly am. If they can do it, then I certainly can. And, I believe there is plenty of success available to all!

When we feel unsure of ourselves and are looking outside for approval, it stirs up even more self-doubt when we come across people who appear to have their act together.

This week I challenge you to look at how often you compare yourself with others. Would it be possible to turn this negative, judgmental energy into something positive?

Here's a challenge. When you begin to do this comparison, stop. Then, instead, open your heart and mind to what you desire to experience in your life in the next six months. Focus on your dream. Affirm to yourself that you have the gifts, creativity and energy to create what you desire. Then, rather than thinking about "how far behind you seem," take some steps forward in your own journey!

We waste so much emotional energy worrying about an artificial hierarchy that society tells us we need to fit into. Let this go! Be YOUR BEST! Cheer others on as they become THEIR best.

Keep your personal power intact by stopping the comparison game.

Blessings to you,

If you feel stuck in any way with this, drop me an email at thoughtdr@patriciaomoqui.com .

Patricia Omoqui

Check out my recent article on Self-Esteem...it might be just what you need to remember how valuable you are! http://www.vanguardngr.com/2009/07/11/do-your-part-end-the-epidemic-of-low-self-esteem/

Harness Your Power: Observe Communication

Ever since I was a little child I have been a take-charge leader. My mom has told me (and I do remember these days as a 3 and 4 year old) that I would get all the kids in the neighborhood together, organize them and set the course for the games for the day. Pretty amusing how we are born with certain innate gifts and tendencies. But, our greatest strengths can also be our greatest challenges.

The past few years I've been practicing stepping back and allowing others to take the lead. I'm getting better at it. It feels good to follow and participate.

Even harder for me has been to not step up to lead things when nobody else is willing to do it. Usually if there is a need for someone to lead, I'd jump right on it. Now,instead, I trust that the right leader will show up at the right time so that I don't' overload myself with responsibility like I used to.

Life is learning. I'm also closely observing my communication (verbal and non-verbal) with others -- family, friends, clients and strangers. I've been reading some excellent books the past few weeks about listening so I figured I'd check myself out to see how I measure up in the listening skills area.

I'm noticing opportunities for improvement. How often do I really allow someone to fully finish what they are saying before I jump in and give my thoughts? I invite you to observe yourself -- see if you allow there to be a moment of quiet before you respond to another person. Do you really allow them to say all they need to say before offering your own thoughts?

I have also been checking out whether I am preoccupied with my own thinking while another person is talking. Am I planning my response or am I really listening to what they have to say? It's wonderful self-learning to become aware of this.

Another aspect of communication I've been monitoring is the way I say things to other. I have always been a direct person. I speak my truth freely to others. Situations I've experienced with people close to me this year showed me that I can learn more finesse and become more gentle in sharing my viewpoints. I'm working on this!

We all have room to improve our communication skills, don't we? It starts with becoming aware. It would be interesting if we could watch a video of a few days of our lives. It would be fascinating, maybe even painful, to see how we come across to others in what we say and do.

The challenge I offer to all of us this week is to observe ourselves closely. (You could even seek feedback from people around you, soliciting their observations. Beware if you do. Don't be defensive if you ask for their perspectives. The truth can be tough to take.)

At the least, take time to notice yourself in conversations with others. What are you saying? How are you saying it? Are you interrupting them mid-sentence? Do you finish their sentence assuming you know what they want to say? Are you harsh in your words and tone? Could you be more gentle and kind in sharing from your heart?

I love life. There are constant opportunities for introspection, growth and personal expansion.

I'm joining you in this challenge. Actually, I've been doing this observation constantly for the past few days. I am letting people close to me know that I'm practicing communication skills. I want to get better and better, to be able to show love more fully through what I say and what I do.

By learning better communication skills I will be more capable at developing deeper, more loving, trusting relationships. That is most certainly what I desire! Don't you?

Learning and growing with you,

Patricia Omoqui

http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/