A New Daily Practice: Happy Heart Memories

God gave us memories that we might have roses in December. ~J.M. Barrie, Courage, 1922

A friend of mine suggested I try something new.  She said, "Try today to focus on one happy memory.  Re-live it in detail.  Feel the goodness in it.  Let it fill up your heart with joy and delight."

I thought that would be an easy task for me.  It wasn't.  In fact, I learned a tremendous amount about my next area of growth by attempting this exercise.

I grew up in a serious household.  My dad was German to the core.  He embraced philosophies such as:  "Children should be seen and not heard," and "None of that foolishness or messing around. . . stop laughing . . . get to work. . . life is serious not fun."  Thus, as a young girl, I was taught to suppress myself, especially when it came to laughter and silliness. 




I have spent much time and energy healing childhood challenges, putting the pieces inside me back together.


Fast forward thirty years.  I've been focused on my personal growth for many years now.  And, I have come a long way in clearing my mind of fears, wiping out self-doubt and getting past limiting beliefs.  In fact, I have found a way to experience peace most of the time, even in extremely difficult circumstances.

But, what I realized from doing this exercise is that I am ready now to cultivate a joyful heart! 

As I attempted the Happy Heart Memory exercise, I found myself struggling to think of fond memories.  It wasn't because I don't have any to think of, it was because I rarely bring these wonderful delights into my mind.

My heart feels warm and open, deeply satisfied and nourished when I reflect on special times.

I'm getting the hang of it now.  And, I can't believe how many smiles and laughs have been stimulated by thinking of the silly, wonderful, uplifting things that happen. 

Many of these remembrances are of simple moments--rolling on the floor laughing with my children after my husband had jumped out of the closet and scared us all to death!  Thinking of my daughter Maggie as a one year old sitting on the bed with Dad pretending she was reading a newspaper.  Or, when my daughter Skye would pretend to be Hannah Montana and perform songs for me in the living room.

You see, now that I have gotten started with these Happy Memories, something has shifted inside of me.  It is as if there was an unlit candle inside of me waiting to be sparked.  I can tell you that the more I review these fond times, the larger the flame grows within me. 

Why not give this a try with me?  I have decided that every day for the next 30 days, I am going to do this daily practice.  Yesterday I did it after my kids were asleep and in bed. I sat on the couch with some old photos and reminisced.  Today I did it while at the park walking in nature. 

I have also realized that the more I engage my senses throughout the day, I am more likely to create new Happy Memories that I can recall down the road.

Let the flame of joy ignite within you.  It will melt away more of your discomfort and pain.  It will burn away old energy and open the door to all that you desire to move closer to you.

By engaging your heart, you might just grow new wings and fly to higher heights!  That's my plan, how about you?

With great love for you,

Patricia Omoqui, The Thought Dr.

Connecting Others to Their Dreams Helps YOU Grow

Too often, we human beings operate in fear mode.  We hoard our resources--the money we have, the opportunities we get and the network to whom we have access.  We feel so protective because we think, "They will get ahead of me...there aren't enough opportunities for everyone so I have to cling to whatever I have my hands on right now."

I believe there is an alternative way of thinking.  It goes like this, "As I share my resources with others, it helps me to grow.  As I help others rise higher, I naturally rise higher as well."

That is the philosophy I embrace. It is the spirit I attempt to live with each day.  I have found that this lifestyle has great rewards. 

I will share a concrete example, an experience I have had over the past month.

In November 2011 I had the privilege of speaking in Abuja (Nigeria) to a fantastic group of women.  Their organization is called Business Professional Women - Nigeria (BPW).  I delivered a keynote address called The Mindset of the Empowered Woman.  I was inspired by being part of the event and by sharing my address with the group.

Speaking at BPW event, November 2011

While there I mentioned to the President of the group that if they ever came to the U.S., they should let me know.  I expressed my interest in helping them find the connections they need for their personal and professional growth.

Angela Ajala (BPW Nigeria President) and me at the event

Fast forward to February 2012.  I receive an email from the BPW President, Angela Ajala.  She lets me know a group of 25 to 35 women will be attending the UN Conference on the Status of Women.  She takes me up on my offer for connecting the women to opportunities. 

Let me tell you, for years I have had a vision in my heart--to be a bridge between the USA and Nigeria. For those of you who don't know, my husband is Nigerian and I am greatly passionate about Nigeria's development.  In my mind's eyes I could see myself arranging these opportunities.  I had been doing this on a small, informal scale for several years.  But now was my first formal opportunity to do a sizeable project for this aim.

Bridging two cultures - Avon hosted us and took the time to make these amazing centerpieces. I was so happy!

For three weeks I worked furiously to make connections.  My goal was to provide each woman with an experience that would open her eyes to new possibilities and ideas that she could take back to Nigeria and harness for greater success. 

Hour after hour, email after email, a plan took shape.  I found that my American colleagues were eager to have interactions with their Nigerian counterparts.  At last, an all day Mentoring Match-up schedule materialized.  I honestly could not stop smiling as I worked on the project.

February 29th was the big day in New York City.  There were meetings set up with big companies like Avon  and Eileen Fisher as well as younger companies like Snowden Capital.  I had the opportunity to stop by each and every meeting and experience the exchange of information and kindness.  It was delightful to see the spark in the eyes of the women as the day unfolded. 

Group of BPW women visiting Avon Executives

BPW Women at Eileen Fisher learning about fashion design

Snowden Capital hosted a group and shared expertise about Financial Investments

By connecting others to their dreams, I was more fully realizing my own!  My network grew as I set up these meetings.  My understanding of how to plan these trips increased.  I came away with a whole new vision for how I would arrange this type of visit the next time around.  But most of all, my heart expanded so much I felt it was going to explode!  I was so full of joy that I even teared up. (Well, that is my very emotional side for those of you who don't know me well.)

I share all this just to say -- share your connections with others.  As you get to know other people, ask them about their vision.  Share your vision with them too.  As we each offer one another assistance in making our dreams become our realities, we all benefit.  We can all grow together.  There is plenty of success to go around.

I hope you feel inspired to make an impact this way in whatever small or big way is possible.  As we care and share, beautiful ripples of success come about for all of us.

Write down these powerful words of Helen Keller and meditate on them this week:

"I am only one but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.”

What small things will you do this week to help someone grow?  Remember, as you do, you are guaranteed growth as well.

With a smile of amazing joy!

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