Harness Your Power: It's Not Personal Unless You Make it So!

(No, that is not a picture of me!)

Too often we take what other people say and do as a personal attack.  I've learned that other people are entitled to their own opinions, judgments and perceptions.  It's up to me whether I allow what they are saying to upset me or if I see what they are offering as simply information to consider.

Here's a good story I found on the subject:

A tale is told about the Buddha, Gautama (563-483BC), the Indian prince and spiritual leader whose teachings founded Buddhism. This short story illustrates that every one of us has the choice whether or not to take personal offence from another person's behaviour.



It is said that on an occasion when the Buddha was teaching a group of people, he found himself on the receiving end of a fierce outburst of abuse from a bystander, who was for some reason very angry.


The Buddha listened patiently while the stranger vented his rage, and then the Buddha said to the group and to the stranger, "If someone gives a gift to another person, who then chooses to decline it, tell me, who would then own the gift? The giver or the person who refuses to accept the gift?"


"The giver," said the group after a little thought. "Any fool can see that," added the angry stranger.


"Then it follows, does it not," said the Buddha, "Whenever a person tries to abuse us, or to unload their anger on us, we can each choose to decline or to accept the abuse; whether to make it ours or not. By our personal response to the abuse from another, we can choose who owns and keeps the bad feelings."

Are you accepting negative "gifts" from others?  You don't have to.  You always have a choice of whether you take in what another person offers you.
 
Choose wisely.  Each choise affects the quality of your life experience.
 
With a wish for peace,
Patricia Omoqui, The Thought Dr.
http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/

Harness Your Power: Transform Self-Doubt

You walk into a room.  You start to think, "Do I fit in here?  My clothes aren't as nice as hers.  My handbag and shoes are last season.  I wonder if they think I'm fat.  I feel so out of place here."

You put on your smile and start interacting with the other guests.  The voice in your head keeps chattering, "This person seems so accomplished.  They seems important and well-connected.  I don't measure up.  I wonder what they think of me.  Oh no.  What I said didn't make any sense.  Why can't I do better at having these conversations?"

Self-critical thinking can sabotage us.  It keeps us from being relaxed and at ease.   It hinders us from enjoying each moment of life.  It gets in the way of a bold, confident approach to conversations. 

I know about this kind of thinking because I have moments of it myself.  I've studied my own self-critical thought patterns for several years now.  As I observed my mind closely, I saw that I was my own worst enemy.  I was harder on myself than anybody else.  In fact, I'd never say to others the type of harsh judgmental words I would say to myself.  I've learned that this type of thinking need not control me.

When my mind starts down these negative paths, I stop.  I take a few deep breaths.  I then refocus my mind on the wonderful, unique aspects of who I am:  "I am a woman full of courage and love.  I have gifts and talents, unique ones.  I embrace and love myself for who I am. I stand tall and confident.  I love learning and growing.  I relax and choose to focus my mind on the good in myself and in others.  I am here on Earth for a reason."

That new thinking energizes me.  It ignites my inner light.  It clears away the clouds of comparison with others so I can really listen to another person when I am having a conversation.  I become more effective when I love and affirm myself.

This week I offer you a challenge.  Take a day and observe your mind.  Pay particular attention to the self-talk you have.  What do you say about yourself?  Are you critical?  Write down any negative or judgmental things you have thought about yourself.  Become aware of how often you "beat yourself up" in your mind. 

Now, take your list of thoughts and transform them one by one.  Consider the question, "What good can I see in myself?  What gifts do I have to offer?  What are all the great things about myself?"  Write down as many empowered, positive statements as you can.  If you can't think of any, seek some help from a trusted, loving friend. 

We are each amazing people.
We become more remarkable as we honor ourselves in our thoughts.

Seeing the best in me and seeing the best in you,

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

Harness Your Power: Breathe!

Stressed?  Overwhelmed?  Pressured and worn down?

Perhaps you could use a break.  Why not create small moments of peace and new energy by switching off all electronic devices and sitting in total silence?  You could go into nature to do this.  Or, you could use the living room couch.  You could even do this in the car.

For five full minutes breathe in and out as deeply as you can.  Feel your breath moving in and out of your body.  Notice how amazing this breath can be.   Let it fill you.  Quiet your mind and simply relax into the moment.  Be.  Simply be present where you are.  Choose a one word mantra like "peace" or "joy" or "calm" or "relaxed" and focus solely on that word as you breathe in and out.

It is okay to disengage from everything and everyone and take a few minutes to refresh and revive yourself. 

Just do it.
Just breathe.
Just step away from the noise (inner and outer).
Just give yourself a few minutes of delicious quiet.

You deserve peace.
Why not create it with this simple daily exercise?

I'm doing the exercise with you this week.

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

Harness Your Power: My Motto

Simple ideas can create revolutionary change.

My motto has become, "I do what I can, with the resources I have, where I am RIGHT NOW!"  I use this affirmation in all aspects of life. 

Each of us has the power to create positive change in our personal lives, in our professional lives and in our nations.  Yet, so often we get stuck thinking, "I just don't have enough money or time yet to make the personal change or the purposeful impact I want to make."  I'm here to tell you this week, you do have what is needed.

Think of it this way, sometimes the greatest transformations come from the smallest things -- shifts in thought patterns lead to radical life changes.  Often, a simple, loving act like listening to a friend can change the course of a person's life.  Sometimes a smile to a stranger can change the feel of their day.  Don't wait to create change.  Start today.

Do what you can.
Use whatever inner resources you have if you feel that your bank account isn't low enough to use your finances.
Start where you are with the people who are currently in your life.
Do it RIGHT NOW.  Yes, the call for taking action is TODAY!

Our assignment this week is twofold:

1.  Follow through and take the next daily step in the road to your personal transformation.  Make the phone call you know needs to be made.  Write your vision for your life down on paper.  Get your resume updated or get the business plan together.  You know you are ready for great changes so don't wait another day to do one small thing.

2.  Do something, some small thing with great love, to brighten another person's life.  If you want to use money to do so, great!  If not, get creative and show love in a cost-free high-impact way.  Who in your life needs some extra kindness?  Seek them out and offer them compassion today.

The small things done with great love add up to the lasting legacy of love we leave. 

Post this simple motto in a place you can see it each morning so that you remember the power you have!

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