Are You Ready to Enter Your Future?

Are you?  Are you really ready to enter your future?  It is a good question to think on. There is often more preparation involved in manifesting our dreams than we anticipate. 

I am going to be speaking on this topic in Abuja (Nigeria) on July 29th at Holyhill Church.  The morning service at 9 a.m. will be titled, "Your Vision Will Be Fulfilled IF..."  The evening service at 5:30 p.m. is designed as an "Enter Your Future" experience (loads of participation) and is bound to be full of incredible breakthrough moments for everyone who attends.

Anytime I begin preparing a new topic to speak on, I find, of course, that the preparation has to do with my own growth and development.  It's been a deeply introspective time for me and I feel delighted to share the insights I have come to with many audiences in Nigeria.

The irony of Entering Your Future is that you have to be the absolute best you can be in each and every present moment.


There is no better time than now to do WHATEVER IS NECESSARY to be ready to live more and more of your vision.  Often, the toughest preparation is the INNER work required.  To allow more and more of your True Self to emerge, it takes facing your fears head on.  Who would you be without the fearful thoughts you still allow to deter you?  Imagine a fear-free version of yourself.  What steps would you be taking today if you had total inner freedom?  (I challenge you to write down your answer to these questions).

I will also be speaking on August 1st at Trinity House (Victoria Island, Lagos) at 6 p.m.  My topic will be "Renew Your Mind."  If you are stuck in fear, self-doubt or a painful past, this message will give you the clues to transform your thinking so you can transform your entire life.

Face your fears this week...you are so much bigger and more powerful than these little thoughts that haunt you...

Sending you a smile,
Patricia Omoqui, The Thought Dr.
http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/

Don't resist Life - FLOW!

"Seek not that the things which happen should happen as you wish; but wish the things which happen to be as they are, and you will have a tranquil flow of life”

Epictetus quotes (Greek philosopher associated with the Stoics, AD 55-c.135)

When the river of life is pushing you forward and you decide you aren't going to move, you are going to be exhausted from struggling to stay where you are.  If you try to swim upstream against the flow, you won't get anywhere.  How do I know?  Well, many times in my life I have fought with the river of life.  I don't do so anymore.  I have learned my lessons.

In the past week there was both an earthquake and hurricane Irene in my area.  Was it fun?  No.  But it was an experience.  As I woke my children in the middle of the night because a Tornado warning sounded for our area, I took them downstairs to a safe place.  I sat in the silence calmly giving thanks for each one of them.  A moment of truth:  my children are alive, healthy and even in the discomfort of a horrible storm, we have each other.

No matter the challenge or the seeming inconveniences life brings our way,

there is learning to be found in every moment.

So, why not stop resisting what life brings your way and instead GO WITH THE FLOW?

Learn.  Grow.  Gain as much from the moments of life as you can. 

I have found that when things don't seem to be going my way, it is the time I must pay the most attention:  I am being taught something essential for the next stage of my journey.

Flow, flow, flow as life brings you forward.

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

Harness Your Power: Serve

The question that burns in my heart every day is, “How can I serve?”


I have found nothing more satisfying than helping another being by sharing my love, time and resources with them.

As philosopher and physician Albert Schweitzer said, “I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.”

Yes, there is pleasure in enjoying material goods but that soon wears off.

Yes, there is excitement in traveling the world and seeing new places, but we always long to return home.

What lasts? The only mark we leave is our loving service to others. This is what truly matters. This is what people will speak of when our life comes to an end.

The wonderful thing about services is that it is simple to do – often the smallest acts of care change the lives of people around us.

Do you have ears? Serve this week by taking the time to really listen someone who needs your attention.

Do you have arms? Offer a hug to someone who is struggling to find hope.

Do you have a few extra Naira? Offer help to a family who needs help funding their children’s education or surprise them with food that they hunger for.

Do you have expertise? Find a young person who needs your advice and support and commit to a mentoring relationship.

In the words of Anne Frank, “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” Don’t wait another minute!

Use the question, “How can I serve?” to guide you through every day this week.

Wholeheartedly serving with you,

Patricia Omoqui, The Thought Dr.

www.patriciaomoqui.com

Harness Your Power: Contemplate New Perspectives

During our weekly visit to the library I found a book that I had been wanting to read: Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life by Wayne Dyer. I didn't know much about the book's content but the title drew me in because I teach people how to heal their lives by healing their thoughts.

I was unexpectedly surprised, I should even say delighted, as I opened the pages and began to read. Wayne Dyer spent a whole year meditating on and writing about the Tao Te Ching. In the pages I found words that expressed many of the new approaches to life that I had intuitively been experiencing.

Each day I've closed my eyes before opening the book and asked to be guided to just the right page. On several days I was given the 37th verse. Here it is:

The Tao does nothing,

but leaves nothing undone.

If powerful men could center themselves in it,

the whole world would be transformed

by itself, in its natural rhythms.

When life is simple,

pretenses fall away;

our essential natures shine through.

By not wanting, there is calm,

and the world will straighten itself.

When there is silence,

one finds the anchor of the universe within oneself.

Wow. There is way too much for me to unpack from this verse in just this one blog. So, I will share with you the main idea that I've been meditating upon. The first line struck me deeply. It is so beautiful and profound. The way I read it is: The Universe does nothing but leaves nothing undone. Weeks before I read this I was often spending my time looking at the birds and trees thinking to myself, "Wow, how is it that all of nature is cared for so abundantly and yet human being seem to struggle so much?"

I spent my week looking for examples of the truth of this phrase -- of how often things are done for me without me having to do a thing. I could name a thousand bodily functions that prove this to be the case. Yet, there are other layers where I've found this to be true. When I've set an intention to be truly healed (emotionally, spiritually and physically), it seems the Universe brings me the right people and experiences that allow this to occur. Very little, if any, effort on my part happens except to be open and willing, to be surrendered to the possibility of the healing.

Other instances in my life show me that this is the case. How did I attend Princeton? The Universe arranged it. How did I start playing basketball at age 16 and end up playing pro? Yes, I worked hard on the court, but there was something more to it--there was something that occurred naturally, on my behalf, to make that a possibility. The list of these events could go on and on.

The peace in my heart has deepened this week. It is as if my inner knowing that I am safe, cared for and often carried on my journey has been given a name in finding this phrase from the 37th verse.

Take time this week to read and re-read the above verse. See which phrase sinks into your heart. Ask to be shown the meaning for you.

As we contemplate these new perspectives we are stretched. In being stretched, the diamonds and gold that we hold within are brought to the surface.

May you find deep peace and joy,

Patricia Omoqui

http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/

Harness Your Power: Love What You Do!

I've spent quite a deal of time with Maggie and Skye this week since they are now on summer break. It's such a pleasure to have this luxury (something I now considered a necessity). As we drove to some of our favorite places (the park, the zoo, the library, the pool) I was continually reminded that not too long ago, I would never have the freedom to spend this time with them. For many years I did not have this flexibility.

Let's rewind to 2004: I was sitting in an office with a nice title, a good paycheck and feeling BORED out of my mind. To honor my employer I did my best every day. I must admit, though, that my mind often wandered to the question, "What do I REALLY want to do with my life?"

I struggled for a long time and could only answer, "I don't know." Even though I couldn't pinpoint the type of position or title I wanted to have, I began writing down the things I wanted: flexibility, more time with my kids, to feel happy every day, to have freedom to travel and work whenever and wherever I wanted...the list grew over time. This clarification process went on for over a year and then suddenly, the light bulb came on. I spent two days at a Terri Levine seminar called The Learning Spa and within the first few minutes of being there, I KNEW! Many attendees were life coaches and they began explaining their job to me. What? I could get paid to help people improve their lives and feel better about themselves???

I instantly realized coaching was for me. Not more than five minutes later the first speaker got on stage. I sat in my seat wondering, "Why am I not up there speaking?" I had done public speaking in junior high, high school, college and as a professional basketball player. I knew that I wanted to be on stage again.

At that point I already was producing my daily email list, Food For Thought (you can sign up at my website http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/ ). So, I finally concluded with my affirmative statement: I am an internationally recognized speaker, life coach and writer. Wow. I had my vision. It was finally clear.

The road forward was not always easy as I got launched but I kept taking small steps each day: printed business cards, set up a blog, a website, took coaching classes, did speaking gigs for free -- I started where I was with the resources I had and before I knew it, I had a paid speaking engagement and a paying coaching client! Those were exciting times for me and I certainly celebrated. There were often challenges and there still are many that I face. However, I LOVE what I do.

A friend commented on my Facebook site the other day, "Trish, you are really good at this." Yes, I am. I am good at it because it is what I am passionate about and it fits who I am as a person. My growing success has to do with my hunger to learn more, to help more people and to be the best ME that I can be.

If you are sitting in a boring job wondering how you can stomach another day of work, please begin to affirm this several times an hour through your day: I open to doing something I love to do for my work. Open to the possibility that there IS another option and you CAN find it! Just starting to believe that you won't be stuck doing work you tolerate (or even hate) will give you some fresh energy. Then begin to imagine waking up and feeling truly excited about the day ahead rather than dreading it! How different would that be?

I challenge you this week to spend at least 10 minutes each day thinking about what you would really love to do. If you already have a job you enjoy, then spend the time dreaming about personal endeavors that get your juices flowing -- is there a book waiting to emerge from your soul? Are you longing to travel to every country on the Globe by age 55? Do you want to fly in a hot air balloon? Let your heart open and allow any suppressed desires to come up for exploration.

When you do what you love and love what you do, life begins to feel much like heaven. Yes, there are still difficulties, road bumps and detours in life, but you have a lighter spirit and more energy to deal with them.

What would you really, really, really love to do? How do you really want to feel about life? Who do you desire to be? Some wonderful questions to ponder this week!

If you need any support in answering these questions, please email me. In my work, I help people get clear on what they truly want in life and then give them the support they need in moving one baby step at a time towards it.

Loving life,

Patricia Omoqui

http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/

Harness Your Power: Accept the Moment

I find myself in a different set of circumstances this week. My husband is off to Nigeria doing business and the kids are both finished school. Thus, I am a full-time mom for the week with a few spaces to get my professional work done. There is part of me that, in the past, resisted times like this. I love writing, speaking and coaching so much that it is often challenging for me to let my working time go. I am passionate and focused -- sometimes to a fault!

So, the Universe likes to throw me some twists and turns to help me remember to relax, play and be a kid again. I know that if I resist the role I'm assigned this week, I will feel frustrated, as if I'm being held back from what I want. Rather than pushing against the stream of life and where it is guiding me this week, I want to relax into my assignment and celebrate it.

What is there not to love about a week with my two little angels. They want me to be involved in everything they do. They invite me to snuggle with them on the couch as we watch a movie. They want me to chase them around the pool and they shriek with delight as I sneak up on them to surprise them. They want to sing fun songs in the car. They like to indulge in icecream, chew gum with their mouths open and let out bodily sounds that crack us all up. Why would I ever think that I should be doing something else when I am being given a precious week of intimate moments with Maggie and Skye?

Thus, I watch my mind again and again. I observe that I judge my time and create an artificial hierarchy of what are "important" ways to spend my time and what are "less important" ways to spend my time. I have to laugh at myself and the way I've been conditioned. Yet, it is wonderful to know that I need not buy - in to old belief systems and conditioning. I break these patterns of thinking and embrace each moment in new ways.

So, my assignment this week is to have fun. To enjoy each moment of not working. To be focused in the hours that I am able to work and then to let it all go and be open to the miracle of love that I share with these little, earth angels who chose to grace my life with their presence.

What more could I ask for? I am blessed. I see the perfection of the circumstances the Universe brings me. I know I am being asked to flow with life and trust in a way that I couldn't have fathomed even a year ago. Life is truly an adventure, a joyful one, when we accept the idea that each moment happens in the way it does for the purpose of our soul's evolution.

I choose to celebrate this week and find more of my inner child. My children will guide me in this process and are my best teachers.

What are you resisting? Do you feel that you should be doing something else than what you are doing? How do you feel when you judge where you are as "not good"? Just notice. The interesting thing is that when we release the judgment and accept where we are, then it all changes anyway. It's as if the Universe wants us to come to peace with the current set of circumstances and just as we do, the floodgates open and we rush forward to the next chapter of our lives.

I'm here for you to listen, to love you and to share my experience as honestly as I can. I will be availalbe this week so don't hesitate to be in touch:)

Would love to hear from you!

Patricia Omoqui

http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/

visit my listening forum on my new website for some soothing, inspiration...the Observe Your Mind tele-seminar can help you learn to see your mental patterns in a whole new way....

Harness Your Power: Thanks to Pioneers

Last night I watched the movie "The Secret Life of Bees." The movie was set in the 1960s in the South of America. What touched me most deeply was a scene where a teenage African American boy went to the movies with a white girl his age. The two were clearly falling for each other. When they arrived at the movie theater, the young man had to go through the "coloured" door and the girl went through the "whites only" entry of the theatre. Rather than sitting in separate areas like they were supposed to, they decided to sit next to each other and share the snacks they had purchased.

Angry white racist men stormed into the theatre and began to beat the young man. The girl screamed, begging them to stop their violence. They continued their violence anyway and took the boy away in a car. Nobody knew if the boy would ever be seen again. (You'll have to rent the movie to see what happens...)

As I sat with my husband watching the movie I began to think of how often I take for granted that I am in an inter-racial marriage and my children are of mixed race. Look how far the United States (and other parts of the World) has come in regards to race relations in the course of 50 years. Of course, there is still racism, but much has changed!

Today, I take time to celebrate pioneers--people who have stood up for their vision of what is right. When confronted with violence, anger and hatred from those who want things to stay the same, they don't back down. Pioneers see beyond where the culture is and know that we can evolve further. Martin Luther King Jr reminds us, "Almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world better." That is the type of minority I want to be counted in.

I thank the leaders of the women's rights movement and the civil rights movement for the progress they made and for the groundwork they laid to allow me and my family the lives we live today. I am truly grateful that they stayed focus and never gave up.

It also caused me to consider whether I have the type of courage to stand for my truth. I want to be so committed to progress and to helping others live their best lives that I never let up in my pursuit for what I believe in. I pray that in moments of trial I will be able to stay the course and be strong as those who have gone before me.

Don't give up on what you believe in. Follow your passion. Live your vision no matter what anyone around you tells you. There will be plenty of naysayers and many cowards. Martin Luther King Jr. also said, "A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus." Don't stick with the crowd. Stay true to your heart. Pave the way. Create the future.

Be the pioneer that opens the way for future generations to enjoy an even better, more peaceful and secure World than we have today.

with sincere desire to make our World a better place,

Patricia Omoqui

http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/

Harness Your Power: Silence & Listening

I spent this entire week looking inside myself, learning and growing. I was reminded through some interactions with people close to me, that I want to improve my listening skills. A few days before these conversations occurred, I had picked up a book at the library called, "The Sacred Art of Listening." How is it that I always have the books I need right at hand? I'm so grateful for the way the Universe is always at work, supporting and preparing me even when I don't know what I need!

In this helpful book, I was reminded of the importance of practicing personal silence. Quieting our minds opens up space for us to BE more of ourselves. It is also an important practice in relation to listening. If our minds are uncontrolled when we are by ourselves, the mind's activity will inevitably pick up its pace when we are interacting with others. Then, when we find ourselves in intense conversations where we hold differing viewpoints with others, the mental speed ramps up another notch entirely!

Practicing silence helps us to see that we can be in control of our minds rather than having our minds in control of us. We are able to slow down the thinking mechanism and open up space in our head and our heart when we do this. Then, during our daily life, we can use silence "on-demand" to get back to peace. I often spend moments breathing each day to calm myself and regain perspective. The same can be true for using silence in the time we spend with others.

To truly listen to another person, we must be able to slow our minds down. If not, we will be thinking of our to-do list, past history we've had with the other person or the next thing we want to say to them rather than deeply hearing them. If our minds are quiet, we can graciously accept their words and take them in. Rather than jumping into a barrage of comebacks, we can sit and consider their perspectives. Then, after a few moments of quiet, we can respond lovingly to what they say.

Imagine if only 1% more people in the World practiced this! There would be less conflict and love would grow. We all desire to be heard. So, let's take time this week to work on our listening skills. I'd recommend that each day for the upcoming week you spend at least 2 minutes in silence focused on your breath. See if you can get your mental chatter to slow down a bit. Fill your lungs with breath and shift your own energy. Practice this on your own first. Then, if you find yourself in an intense conversation with another person, practice it again. Quiet your mind and practice moving your thoughts out of the way so you can receive what they are communicating to you.

Let me know how this goes! Let's be the change we want to see in the World. Let's reduce the conflict in our lives so that we reduce the conflict in the World at large.

On a side-note, please check out my updated website. It is full of wonderful resources to support you in your personal growth and well-being. My only desire in life is that more and more people see that they can move beyond suffering and become truly peaceful and happy inside.

A big hug,

Patricia Omoqui

http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/

Harness Your Power: Taker or Giver?

I share with you a concept I have been meditating on all week: Am I more focused on taking love from others or giving love to others? Take a few minutes and honestly answer this question. So many of us are so hungry for love, attention, success--we are consumed with what we can get out of life and we forget the beauty of giving!

The irony of giving is that you experience love in a deep way when you are offering it to another person. You can't help but receive when you give!

The ultimate giver is one who plants love seeds everywhere she goes: smiles, kind words, good deeds, thoughtful care put into every moment. These seeds grow into incredible flowers, leaving a trail of exquisite beauty on the path behind her. Yet, the true giver feels no need to go back and pick the flowers that have grown. In fact, the giver is so busy enjoying sharing love that she rarely looks back to see the result. Planting the seeds as she moves forward is joy in and of itself.

The flowers that bloom are merely icing on the cake of love!

To be this kind of person giving love you must fill your own heart with love. Why wait to accept yourself, truly love yourself, until another day. Start today. You are amazing, incredible -- you are here for a special purpose. You will be more effective and enjoy life so much more when you understand that loving yourself is essential to well-being. As you feel good about yourself, then you have so much more energy to enjoy others.

If you aren't very happy with yourself, then plant a seed of self-love in your heart this week.

If you do love yourself, then open to the idea of planting love seeds wherever you go this week. Don't worry about the results...just plant away! The Universe will water and grow the seeds for you.

Have fun doing your planting!

I'll be planting with you,

Patricia Omoqui

http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/

Harness Your Power: Give Thanks For Earth Angels

Yesterday I woke up and was sick. I haven't felt that bad physically in years. I give thanks for the experience because I was cared for so nicely by my daughters and my mom (the photo here is my Mother, Gayle Dulcey). Chicken soup, seltzer water for my tummy, and time for rest all helped me to feel better. My daughters kept coming and asking me if I was feeling better. When I couldn't take the questions, they were quiet and just snuggled close to me. I am blessed.

Have you ever noticed just how many Earth Angels show up along your path? I am coming to appreciate these wonderful people who give me kindness.

Take time today to drop an Earth Angel in your life a thank you note or give them a call. By acknowledging these acts of grace, we increase the love in our World.

On another note, I must say that I am blessed with THE BEST MOM in the whole world. We celebrated Mother's Day here in the United States yesterday. As soon as my mom knew how sick I was, she dropped her plans and came to my side. She is the most giving, loving, caring person I've ever met. I am blessed to have her in my life.

I realized yesterday the job of a mother never ends. I'm 35 now and still my mom is caring for me. Of course, I do my best to care for her now too -- but, it struck me that being a mother is a lifetime assignment.

To health and Earth Angels and Mothers,

Patricia Omoqui

http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/

Harness Your Power: Stop Trying to Control Others

I want to share a quick insight to help you in your week: We CAN'T control other people. Have you noticed? People do whatever they want to do...and often, it is not what WE want them to do, is it?

Notice this week how much stress and drama you create when you try to make someone do something that they really don't want to do. Yes, we can make suggestions and offer ideas and opinions to others. Then, we need to let go. We need to allow others to follow the path that they want for their life journey. Their life is up to them and they are the only ones responsible for their experience.

Too often we think we know what is best for another person. When they don't do things our way, we get angry and disgruntled. We feel the need to lecture and push them to move in a new direction.

What if we were to trust each person to their own journey?

I've found that as I let people make their own choices, they actually do fairly well. I make suggestions and lovingly share my perspectives, but then I believe that they will do whatever is best for them (even if I would never make the same choices.)

It is a relief to stop trying to control other people. I find then when I don't focus my attention on controlling others, I have plenty of energy to focus on me. I need this energy so that I can be my best.

I'm also learning that no matter what other's decide to do (even the people most intimate with me), I can always choose to be happy and empowered. I'm never stuck in any situation. I am always guided as to a way forward. More and more I am coming to realize that I don't NEED others in my life...I enjoy having people in my life and I love interacting with others and sharing love. However, I am whole in and of myself. The less needy I feel, the more I can give others the space they need to be themselves.

I have also realized that decisions that other people make are about THEM not about me. So, if someone rejects me, says something hurtful or makes a choice that could seemingly hurt me, I realize that they can decide whatever they want. My power lies in choosing how I respond to each moment.

Just for this week tune into how often you try to control others (your children, your spouse, your friends, your lover). Watch how this drains you and causes you to worry. Open to seeing and approaching your relationships with fresh eyes.

The bird in the cage is not free. When we open the door and allow the bird to do whatever it wants, we will know if it wants to be with us if it comes back freely.

All my love,
Here to support you,
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/

Harness Your Power: What Is Your Approach?

Here is a question I have been pondering for the past few years: Does Life emerge through us or do we need to "make" things happen?

I'd love to hear your philosophy.

In our society, most people adhere to the idea that it is our responsibility to make it all happen on our own. Let's call this the Responsible approach. We push forward. We rack our brains coming up with new solutions and next steps. We forge ahead, trying to stay ahead of the pack or even just with the pack. We believe it takes 110% of our effort to get to where we want, even if we go down many rabbit trails as we move forward. Action is king. The challenge with this approach is that we often exhaust ourselves, feeling guilty if we aren't always taking steps. After all, WE are responsible to make it all happen so an idle moment is not about resting, it is about wasting precious time that could be used in effort forward.

I've been learning about and practicing a new Guided approach-- a much simpler, easier one. In this perspective, there is very little action needed. We only act when we are clear about the next steps. Our next steps come from our inner guidance, from deep within us rather than from our mind. We find that when we wait for intuition and then follow, the path forward is miraculous, graceful and often more direct to what we want than the Responsible approach.

This Guided approach requires an inner peace and calm -- a way to quiet the small, chattering mind so that a grander, wiser voice can emerge. In my experience, I've been able to tap into this voice in a clearer way through meditation. What I've realized is that this voice has always been there throughout my whole life. I often didn't hear it or understand what it was because I had always been so busy making lists of pros and cons for every decision I made.

The challenge in living from this perspective is patience and faith. Do we really believe that guidance will come when we need it? Are we willing to trust? Is it okay that the path forward is easy or we feel guilty if we don't stress our bodies and minds to get to our goal?

I have found myself and others I introduce this to thinking "this is way too easy." Also, I find that this underlying belief that I was programmed with is very strong, "I have to make things happen. I am responsible and must keep acting all the time or I am being lazy."

Yet, I made a decision a few years ago to adhere to the Guided approach. I wanted to test it to the fullest and see if it works. I'll share a bit of my experience with you.

My faith has been deepened from following this approach. In fact, I often feel as if I'm sitting in a space of "not knowing" for long periods of time. Each day I open to what my next steps would be. I often sense that my next step is to relax, to wait, to be present to whatever comes to me throughout the day. Then, I'll get clear direction about who to call, where to go and what needs to be done next. The more I relax into not knowing, the easier life becomes. I have more peace in this approach and I am much better rested. I also often find myself amazed at how things come together in the least expected ways.

Here are some recent examples. I enjoyed writing so I decided to start writing a weekly blog in addition to Food For Thought, the daily email list. Through the blog, I was clarifying my ideas and getting the hang of writing longer pieces. Out of the blue, I was approached by a woman in Nigeria with the opportunity to write a weekly column for one of Nigeria's largest newspapers. I didn't come up with this idea and I had no clue that writing for an International newspaper would be part of my journey. But, because I had followed the guidance to write my weekly blog, I was ready for the opportunity.

Because I was writing the weekly column, I was invited last June to be the keynote speaker for a large Women on Wellness conference. While there I was interviewed for TV. Then, months later, the woman who interviewed me offered me the opportunity to have 5 - 7 minutes each week on her morning TV show.

Each of these opportunities arrived in my life. They emerged on my path. I didn't seek them out. When I was ready, they showed up. I took action when I needed to -- I wrote the weekly column. I created the TV segments. It was all so simple, so effortless and exciting. It was (and continues to be) miraculous.

When I review my past, I see that many of the things I thought I made happen were actually given to me! It's fascinating to take a closer look.

I'm in a phase now of waiting for the next step forward. I find that all the right life coaching clients show up. The ideas for my weekly column pop into my mind. I get expert feedback on my TV segments without even asking for it! The next steps always become clear.

My struggle has been waiting and sitting in the unknown for what seems long periods of time. Yet, the more I relax into these times of quiet and darkness, the more I see their value. Being in the dark is actually refreshing, it isn't scary any more. (It has given me plenty of opportunity to face my remaining fears!) They are preparatory times of healing, taking care of myself, my home and my children. They are times of being creative and allowing growth that I didn't even know I needed to take place.

One last note--I find that when moving from the Responsible approach to the Guided one, it can feel rather uncomfortable. I have felt that two different mindsets were happening at once. It felt like a verse from the Bible that I remember memorizing as a child, "A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways." I eventually decided that if I wanted to find out the approach that felt right to me, I needed to give the Guided one my complete attention. I'm continuing to "test" it out.

I'd love to hear your perspective on this. Please leave a comment on this blog or send me an email at allure@patriciaomoqui.com . What have you found to be true and best for you?

May you have an easy, guided, miraculous week,

Patricia Omoqui

http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/

Harness Your Power: Do The Work

I'm in Los Angeles this morning as I write this blog. I am at a training called The School For The Work. It is hosted and led by Byron Katie, one of the most enlightened, beautiful human beings I've encountered.

In the three days I've been here I already feel another layer of unquestioned fear-based thoughts and beliefs, have melted away. It's as if new energy fills my heart and joy floods my Soul.

Please take time this week to check out: http://www.thework.com/ . I'd encourage you to watch some of the videos she has of her doing The Work with other people. There are a variety of topics so pick one that appeals most to you. Listen to the four questions she uses. Notice how they turn the thoughts around. This process is simple and it works if you allow your mind to open.

Just observe your mind. Watch yourself. See what is really going on inside you. Watch the thought, emotion, action progression. Then consider, "Who would you be without the thoughts that cause you stress and suffering?" As you open to stretching the viewpoints you have and seeing yourself and life from different perspectives, new freedom fills your whole being.

I am so blessed, so grateful, so amazed at how supported we all are by the Universe. I invite you this week to notice how supported and loved you are -- do you see the miracles surrounding you, occuring in your life? If not, notice the beliefs and thoughts that block you from seeing the good and beautiful.

With deep love for myself and for each of you,

Patricia Omoqui

http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/

(P.S. the above picture was taken by my best friend, an amazing photographer named Carrie Draghi. She lives in Hartford...the picture expresses my feeling of increasing freedom. www.cdraghiphoto.com If you are in her area, there isn't anyone better to work with. She's fun and excellent at what she does.)

Harness Your Power: Learn From the Animals and Birds

So many people around the World are experiencing challenging financial circumstances. Walking through financial difficulty can bring heart pain, sleepless nights and intense stress levels. Feeling sick to your stomach, losing your hair (literally) and being irritable is not the way most of us want to live. Yet, when the fear of the future and the guilt of the past races through our mind incessantly, it is hard for us to be our best.

As I meditated yesterday an idea flowed into my mind: How much do we really need anyway? We can learn from the birds, animals and insects. Do they have gigantic houses full of "stuff"? Do they have cupboards filled with extra food? No. They know something, they have mastered and integrated a concept that I believe the World is being guided to: Live one day at a time trusting that your needs will be met. Trust the Universe. Fry flee. Scurry along with joy and energy.

I have moved through an interesting process the past few years. At the outset, I was visualizing a huge house, tremendous wealth, a lifestyle with all the "extras." As I've been healing inside, I have begun to see that more than anything material, I want peace, freedom and love. My focus has shifted to wanting the flow of abundance to rush into my life so that it flows through my hands and out to the World. I want to be the most effective, loving person I can. How I want to feel is more of what I focus on than what "stuff" I want to have.

Having nice things and enjoying life is wonderful. I love to enjoy these things but I see that what I truly desire is something much deeper. I now trust that the Universe will bring to my life the perfect arrangement financially that will enable me to most effectively help others and enrich my life experience.

I see clearly how little I really do need to be happy. The verse from the Bible rings so true to me: I have learned that no matter what state I am in, I can be happy. Happiness is an inner state and has very little to do with what I have.

So, those are my musings this week. I trust it will give you something new to consider.

When you see a bird flying in the air, ask the Universe to help you soar higher.

When you notice an animal scurrying along, affirm that the Universe will supply you with what you need one moment at a time.

There is plenty for all.

A big hug,

Patricia Omoqui.

http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/ (check out my free resources page -- there are excellent resources to help you in your personal transformation.)

Harness Your Power: Let Yourself Feel

I challenge you this week to notice how often you feel an emotion and then judge yourself for it. I know that I still do this. I also see this in many of my clients. This week one of my clients told me about a very strong emotion she experienced when she was out for dinner with someone close to her. Rather than digging deep and getting to the reason she felt what she felt, instead, she told herself she shouldn't feel that way.

When we deny, suppress and push away our feelings, we miss out on valuable clues. Why am I so angry with this situation? What was it that made me feel so much despair just now? This type of question leads us to learning and growth.

We have built-in systems to guide us through life. We've been taught that it's wrong to feel certain ways...and to express ourselves.

I encourage you this week to allow yourself to feel however you feel about anything--yes, about anything you want! Give yourself permission to be yourself. As you notice your emotions, get to know yourself better. Ask yourself why this emotion has value for you and what you can learn from it. That goes for the positive ones and the negative ones too.

Follow your internal clues to your personal breakthroughs!

Honesty is the key to growth and healing.

Please join me on Facebook this week! Request me as a friend - my profile is under Patricia Omoqui. I will be distributing articles, videos and other special tips and hints through this venue.

Blessings and love to each one of you,

Patricia Omoqui

http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/

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/

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/