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: Beyond Shame to Seeing Commonality



Just before hiting the runway.  Empowered.

 I had a fantastic time last week at the Women Empowering Women event in Philadelphia.  It was a tremendous day of sisterhood, connection, and apprecation of what we as women share in common.

In the morning, there was an intimate discussion forum.  More than twenty women from many different walks of life (CEO, Psychiatrist, Lawyer, Doctor, Life Coach, recovering drug addicts, formerly homeless) spent three hours talking.  Powerful, transformative moments occured as woman after woman shared stories of challenges and triumphs. 

It is clear to me that giving voice to our stories opens us to feeling empowered, to connecting with others and to seeing that WE ARE NOT ALONE.  The stories shared during the forum had common themes of low self-esteem, body image struggles, rape, sexual abuse, betrayal, abandonment by parents and addictions.  Regardless of titles, economic status or skin color, there was COMMONALITY.  Each woman has her own story--a dynamic one of personal growth. 

I cried. I laughed.  I hugged.  I felt it all very deeply.  I shared my own story from childhood, one I hadn't shared in many years.  It felt good to express what was there, shed a few tears and heal more deeply.

We are more similar than different.  Don't allow your pain to cause you to hide.  You are not alone. Your pain may come in the form of your unique story, but each human being has experienced some form of pain. 

Find someone you trust to confide in.  Voice what needs to be said.  Get it out in the open in a safe place so that you can be heard.  By telling it aloud you open the door to more freedom and peace than you may have right now.  If you aren't ready to say it to another person, take time to journal about it.  Find an outlet for self-expression that allows you to process the experience and move forward.

Consider these words, "If we want to change our lives, our relationships or even the world we must start by understanding and overcoming the shame that keeps us silent" (Anonymous Professor).

Your pain turns into beautiful colors woven into the fabric of your remarkable being.
Don't be ashamed, rather, become empowered.  Be proud of who you are!
 
With my love,
Patricia Omoqui, The Thought Dr.
 
P.S. I also got to have fun as a model in the fashion show.  Enjoy the pictures :)



Getting Make-Up - how glamorous !



Striking a pose.



Strutting on the runway....too fun!



Sisterhood, Beautiful Women Connected



Harness Your Power: Be Patient

I am practicing patience.  Every day, I have a set of intentions and goals.  And, every day turns out differently than I plan it to be.  I am learning that my path unfolds in a way I never expect and in a timing that is far different than I originally planned.  I also see that it is happening in a way that is for the best of me and my family.

The wisdom I continue to gain as I work as a coach, speaker and writer is profound.  And, the more I practice what I teach, the more I realize that  I am still in need of practice!  I am fascinated by this adventure I am on.  It is truly an adventure full of ups and downs, highs and lows. 

Each experience enriches the fiber of my being.  I am stretched farther than I thought I could go.  I am learning to be more surrendered than I ever wanted to be.  It feels good to keep growing and yet stay peaceful in the midst of many challenging circumstances.

I have come to believe that things do happen, the breakthroughs I long for do come, at the RIGHT TIME.  I do not know what that right time is...but God certainly does.

So, this week I encourage you to trust your journey.  Just have fun and enjoy this interesting journey you are on.  Engage with life each day.  Relax.  Don't worry so much.  Allow yourself to be present enough to enjoy the gifts of wisdom being presented to you in the form of HARD CHALLENGES.  Yes, these are truly gifts as are the difficult people who enter your life.

I wish you a patient, peaceful week.
May you find joy in the waiting.

With love,
Patricia Omoqui, The Thought Dr.

Harness Your Power: This Moment is Perfect

I may have gotten you thinking with the title of this blog -- This Moment is Perfect.  Some of you reading this might say, "How can this be perfect when I don't have the money to pay for my mortgage or my groceries?  It feels so dark, so uncertain and uncomfortable."

I can relate to this response.  I've been contemplating this quite a bit lately. 

I've come back to the realization that in this moment, THIS EXACT MOMENT, I am always provided for.  Though the future is uncertain and I have no idea how the challenges in my life will come to resolution, this moment is just fine.  I must choose not to run ahead to a few days from now, a month from now or a year from now.  We are all being forced to be present to life right now.

The question is, will you be in the moment with a head full of fear or will you be in the moment with a heart full of peace?  This is the choice.  Believe me, I know it is not always an easy thing to move into a feeling of peace.  I've struggled with this myself lately.  But, I keep coming to the truth that my whole life there has always been a way forward, a miraculous provision at just the right time.  So, why not just rest into the arms of the Divine?

Yes, we each must do our part.  We need to show up every day and do what we are guided to -- to take the steps to provide for our families.  As we do our small, simple tasks, we find that the breakthroughs come in the perfect time of the Divine.  We want the breakthroughs to come sooner and this often causes us terrible grief and inner conflict -- WHY ISN'T THIS SITUATION CHANGING NOW???

I'm here to say that it isn't changing because the learning you are called to do is not yet complete.  Each challenge is preparation for your path ahead.  Try to relax and learn rather than fight with life.  You will save energy and feel better if you take this approach.

I give my love to each one of you.  I understand the feelings of difficulty.  I also know that there is always hope, always peace and always love available to us as we become present to the Divine.

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

 

Harness Your Power: Move through Intense Times

I will be honest and tell you that these days feel extremely intense.  Life feels unsettled.  Challenges seem larger than even a year ago.  I know I am not the only one experiencing this as many clients, friends and family members express this to me.



Here are a few affirmations and thoughts that I've been using that may be of help to you:

It is well.
All is well in THIS moment.
I give thanks for....(then I find any blessing no matter how tiny it appears to be to raise my energy.)
I am growing in compassion for others through these challenges.
I find ways to express love and understanding as often as possible.
My mind and heart are being stretched and expanded from these experiences.
I am prepared for the path ahead.
Every opportunity offers me tools and lessons if I choose to embrace them.

I am walking moment to moment...but then, isn't that the only way life happens.  We just think there is certainty ...but there is always the unexpected.  I choose to expect the best!

In a spirit of miracles and love and kindness,

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

Harness Your Power: Take Care of Your Soul

I had the privilege this weekend of hearing two excellent speakers. The first was Thomas Moore who wrote some bestsellers such as Care of the Soul and Dark Night of the Soul. As I listened to Thomas Moore speak I learned of an important distinction that I had not considered before -- the difference between Soul and Spirit. I had used those words interchangeably. Thomas contrasted these words, suggesting that Spirit is that part of us which desires to transcend, to feel bigger and grander than our experience in a human body. Soul, on the other hand, is that aspect of us that lives day-to-day, walking through life.

He has spent time with many spiritual communities. He commented that those who are very focused on their spiritual practice are often time out of touch with their Soul. In fact, they have difficulty in relationships, challenges in their sex life and don't enjoy the basic aspects of the Soul like preparing a meal and enjoying it with family and friends.

As I sat listening I realized how true that had been for me until this past year. I felt there was something "lower" about the basics of life. In my mind there was a hierarchy of the ways I would spend my time and energy-- at the top was my spiritual life, then my career and then the basics of home life. Because of this view, I often struggled to enjoy the basic activities of daily life.

As I encountered the idea of mindfulness about a year ago and really began to practice it, I began to experience joy in every activity. I soon realized that I could find peace in folding laundry and get a sense of bliss from making a meal for my family. Before these two activities felt difficult and unhappy to me.

Thomas suggested we focus as much on our Soul as we do on our Spirit. Enjoy nature. Go to a museum and connect with some art. Learn to cook. Put together a dinner party and give it your all -- bring your favorite friends together to share in wonderful food, drink and talk. Focus on your relationships.

These are very basic ideas but ones that I felt glad to be reminded of. So many of us right now are facing financial challenges, losing jobs, dealing with relationship problems and health issues. It is okay to feel as if your Soul is walking through a very dark time. In fact, if you can embrace these times and move through them with an openness to learning and deepening your wisdom, you can begin to see the beauty in the darkness.

I speak about this from a space of experiential knowing. I've been in a very dark time the past eight weeks. Many miraculous things have come from wading through the mires of my fears. In the darkest moments I always found that if I just took some deep breaths and focused myself within, there was light to be found. Peace was within me even if my circumstances felt in chaos.

Embrace the darkness. Listen to your Soul. It will whisper to you and guide you to what it needs. Be honest. Find others to support and help you through these times. Most of all, go inside. Love yourself. Admire your courage for moving through this human journey.

You are resilient. You are courageous. You are learning and growing. This is what your Soul came to do! Be glad for each experience in life. It is all truly perfect and on schedule.

(The other speaker I listened to was James Twyman. He is a truly amazing human being -- encouraging all of us to see how connected we are. He recently wrote a book called The Moses Code. He is also an excellent musician. All of his work focuses on bringing greater peace to the World. http://www.emissaryoflight.com/_.aspx?t_t=5)

With deep love for each of you,

Patricia Omoqui

http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/

View my YouTube videos at: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=patricia+omoqui&search_type=&aq=f