Harness Your Power: Flow with Life's Surprises

On Friday I boarded a plane to Dallas, TX.  This was to be the first stop on my journey to Albuquerque, NM.  We took off at 11 a.m.  Plane had already been delayed several hours.  While in flight we were told the Dallas airport was closed.  The pilot took us to Little Rock, Arkansas.  The airport didn't have any free gates open so we sat in the plane for four hours until the Dallas airport reopened. 

While sitting there for four hours, I had some great conversation with fellow passengers and chose not to look at my watch even once.  I reminded myself, "I will get there when I get there."

Finally we arrived.  I go to the American Airlines counter and I'm told, "All flights to New Mexico have been cancelled for the remainder of the day."  My mom and I are given a voucher for a local hotel and find our way there. 

To go with the flow or to fight with the reality of life?   It was all out of my control.  All I could do was choose a perspective that permitted me to experience peace and well-being during these unexpected changes to our schedule.

Friday we woke up, had breakfast and boarded a plane to Albuquerque.  At last we had arrived.  It was a relief and a joy to finally be to our destination.

I'm here in Albuquerque with the intention of finishing my first book.  I came here last October with the same intention.  I made great progress on my last trip but there was more that I needed to learn, ways I needed to stretch in order for the books to be fully written.

I will be honest and tell you that I have NEVER written a book.  It can feel daunting at times.  The self-doubt arises, "Trish, who are you to think you have a book to write and share with others?  You haven't done this so how do you think you know what it means to write a book?  What are you thinking trying to pull this off?"

This trip I have decided to put all self-doubt and fear aside -- the ironic thing is that is partially what my book teaches.  It's funny that writing a book on transforming your thinking forces the author to further transform her own :) 

I am enjoying the process.  I've decided to release all timetables and inner pressure to GET IT DONE.  Instead, I am spending the time in silence and stillness.  I'm swimming, walking and sitting in nature.  I'm resting when needed.  And, I'm opening my computer to write anytime I feel inspired.  One day, I am sure, this book will get done.

The cover is designed.  The graphic artist awaits the final text for interior design.  I remind myself, all things happen in God's time.  I surrender myself to this amazing process.  I never would have believed it could be tihs challenging.  Perhaps I never would have started it if I knew! 

So this week, why not GO WITH THE FLOW!  Enjoy the unexpected twists and turns on your path.  If you open to these moments rather than fight with them, you may find some wonderful life lessons and even a few joyful moments too.

Pay attention to your fear and self-doubt.  Why not see your power?  Why not understand the potential you have?  As you let go of these harmful thought patterns and open to seeing the good in yourself, you may find some amazing things come about -- who knows -- maybe YOU will be writing a book soon.

With all my love
Please say a prayer of inspiration for me this week :)

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

Harness Your Power: Power of Self-Talk

This morning I will be speaking locally at a Mother's Day breakfast.  I am looking forward to sharing insights with the mom's on the importance of self-talk.

We are typically our own harshest critics.  About 7 years ago I discovered that my thoughts about myself were harsh, guilt-ridden and extremely judgmental -- "I'm not a good enough mom or wife.  I should do better.  I don't measure up.  I can't keep up with others.  What if I don't give my kids what they need?  I am too fat.  I am not pretty enough.  I should be working harder, longer and doing more...."  On and on and on the self-talk went. 

From the outside people thought I had it altogether.  But on the inside I was beating myself up constantly. 
I was my own worst enemy. 

As I began to study my mind I realized that beating myself up was only one possible approach.  In fact, I began to see that I'd never talk that way to other people, so why would I be doing this to myself?

I began to review this disempowered self-talk and revise it.  Here is what I came up with to replace the old thinking:  "I am a good wife and mom.  I do my best every day.  What gets done today gets done.  The rest can wait until tomorrow.  I love myself and honor myself for trying so hard.  I am a beautiful person inside and out."

With this change in self-talk I began to feel better.  And, I began to find proof of all the ways in which I was a good wife and mom.  The better I felt inside, the more energy I had.  The more energy I had, the better I became.

How is your self-talk?  Take a close look this week.  Begin to write down any negative, disempowered thinking that haunts you.  Write the thoughts down and study the impact they have on your life -- if you changed this thinking, how different would your life feel?

You can do it!
If you need support, I'm only an email away :)

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

I have plenty of free positive affirmations at my website...check them out :)
http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/freeresources-affirmations.html

Harness Your Power: Keep Your Focus

I have been reminded this week through my own life experience and watching people arond me that we have more power and choice in our destiny than we realize. 

It is essential to clarify what we want to experience in all aspects of life (spiritual, relational, financial, professional, physical well-being etc.)  When we lack clarity we spin in circles and go on rabbit trails.  We allow whatever life presents to us to become our focus rather than consciously choosing our direction.

Each of us is constantly bombarded with a myriad of people, places and opportunities.  Those with clear vision maximize life by walking with their eyes open and seizing the empowered, positive possibilities presented.  Those without clear vision often (consciously or unconsciously) accept negative, self-defeating possibilities and become derailed. 

Here is a specific example.  I know a young person who has issues with drug use.  God has placed in his life positive people who want to help him to his goals.  Yet also on his life path are those who still partake and offer him drugs.  When focused on his vision of being drug free, he is able to avoid those people and / or be clear in stating he is not interested in engaging in drugs.  When he is not clear, he spends time with people who are doing drugs and gets sucked into his old habits.

What do you want?  What are you focused on?  Are you allowing yourself to unconsciously spin in old patterns?  Are you ready to break free and move swiftly to what your heart desires?

Take time this week to write down a clear statement of what you desire to experience in life in the next three months. 

Keep your list in front of you.  Read it every day. 

Then, as people, places and possibilities come your way, evaluate whether or not they support you in reaching your vision. 

If they don't, then make conscious choices to use your energy powerfully and purposefully instead.

I'm doing this with you!  I'm actively focusing my energy and staying distraction free:)

It is a daily choice to do so.


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

Harness Your Power: All You Need is Love

I want to keep things simple this week.  I offer a gentle reminder that if you love yourself your whole life will change.  You will blossom into the incredible, unique expression of LIFE that you are meant to be.

I have been seeing this in a 21 year old woman who adopted me as her mom about six weeks ago.  When we met she was sad, depressed and in rather deep abuse and despair.  In the past six weeks she has been transforming in the most remarkable way.  In fact, she said to me yesterday, "Mom, I used to hate myself.  Now, I am opening to self-love."  I have been reminding her that she deserves to be loved.

I've been observing this change first-hand.  Her faces and smile are brighter and she feels hope.  She sees some new possibilities for her life.  She has lots of steps to take to get where she wants to be in life, but she feels more energy and knows that she can do it.

All you truly need for radical life transformation is LOVE, deep love and acceptance for yourself.  The more of this you give yourself, the more easily you will make choices that are good for you.

You can do it.
I send you my love, encouragement and support.

There is nothing wrong with you...you are created the way you are for a very important purpose. 

Affirm this week:  I open to loving myself more each day.
Say it with conviction.  Offer up a prayer asking for help with this.

Miracles happen.
With my love,

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

Harness Your Power: Stay Focused & Be Patient

Ponder this, “It’s the constant and determined effort that breaks down all resistance and sweeps away all obstacles.” (Claude M. Bristol)


Are you tired of the obstacles you encounter as you focus your energy on creating the life of your dreams?

Remember, the river flows gently and easily around any rock that appears in its path. You can move beyond obstacles like this too!

Perhaps you aren’t seeing progress happen as fast as you’d like and you’ve gotten frustrated.

Relax.  Life unfolds in the perfect time.  Be patient. 

Keep focused. Day-by-day effort adds up. You are paving a new path. Of course there will be challenges!

Enjoy each moment of your path.  Don't postpone happiness until the changes come.  Enjoy today for what it is.

I wrote this message for me and for you.  These reminders are very helpful for those of us who desire continued growth and aspire to reach our highest potential.

Have a blessed week ahead...and relax your spirit.  It may be easier than you think :)

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

Harness Your Power: Release the Pressure

Often it is we who are the ones who put the most pressure on ourselves.  I'm really good at this -- especially when it comes to writing.  I've been working on a book now for several years.  I've made good progress, in fact, I'm getting really close to finalizing it.  Yet, there have been days when I am putting so much pressure on myself to get it done, that I give myself a headache and stomachache.

I laugh as I write.  I know that my thoughts on the matter are causing the physical reaction in my body and the stressful emotions.

As I notice this happening, I stop.  I step back.  I let it go.  I breathe.  I remember that my best writing comes when it moves from my heart to my fingers and onto the page.  I realize pushing something to completion and exhausting myself in the meantime is actually not how I want to live.

So, I am refocusing my thinking this week.  I'm trying to rest my mind and let go of the pressure-filled thinking.  A book is in my heart and will be born at the right moment.  In fact, sometimes what is inside us must mature long enough so that it isn't born before it's time.  I guess like  a pregnant lady nearing the end of her last tri-mester, the feeling of "I just want this baby out of me!" is what I feel some days.

Whether you are writing a book, remodelling your home, dealing with your children or any other project going on in your life, I invite you to release the inner pressure and instead, let the flow of life move you through it.

The river of life moves us forward naturally.  If we just stay relaxed, we move.  If we swim upstream thinking we have to figure it all out on our own, we do exhaust ourselves (at least I sure do).

Life is on schedule.  Perhaps we just need to shift our thinking and be a bit gentler to ourselves.

Here are a few suggestions:

I relax my mind.
I release the inner pressure.
I open to the flow of life.
I am on schedule.
Everything that needs to get done in a day, gets done.
The rest of my tasks and projects are there waiting for me tomorrow.
I rejuvenate my mind and spirit and body so I feel well.
From joy, my best work flow easily.

I send my love to you :)
We sure are funny creatures, aren't we ?

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

p.s. I'm taking on new life coaching clients if you are interested and could use the support.

Harness Your Power: Leave a Legacy of Love...

So, I poured my heart onto the page for a new article I wrote for my column in Vanguard Newspaper (Nigeria)...I am giving you a sneak peek this week...it came from deep within....

Fast forward again. On March 15, 2010, I receive word of another shocking loss.



Taking the braids out of my younger daughter, Skye’s, hair should be a normal experience, right? It wasn’t this time. These braids were special. They were put in by a 16 year old Sierra Lionian girl named Mattu. “Why is this a big deal?” you might ask. Let me explain.


Several months before, I had met Mattu at a local restaurant through a mutual friend. She noticed that my girls’ hair needed braiding and kindly offered her services. We accepted. This opened the door to a friendship that grew quickly into shared meals and enjoyable times together with Mattu and her brothers and sisters.


Mattu became dear to us. We were very sad when she told us she would be moving to Florida with her family. On her last evening in our neighborhood, she came over for dinner and braided Skye’s hair one last time. We bid the family goodbye comforted with the promise of her return to Philadelphia for a visit in the summer. That was Saturday, March 13th.


Then Monday I received a phone call, “Mattu is gone! She was hit by a car and killed instantly.” I felt total disbelief. My whole body went numb. “What? Are you sure? This can’t be true!” The reply was simple and somber, “Yes, it’s true.”


Last week I attended a memorial service given by friends of Mattu’s in the Philadelphia area. I was struck deeply by the words of the many who shared their memories with the group. Mattu had touched each of them with her joyfully vibrant spirit. She is remembered as a happy young woman who loved friends and food and shared everything she had with her mother and her siblings.


Just yesterday I unraveled the braids that Mattu wove in my daughter Skye’s hair. As I did I was smiling through tears remembering Mattu, still touched by her generosity.


As I move through my days these past few months I often feel surges of grief quieted by waves of joy. I am poignantly aware of the fragility and mystery of life. A beloved father joined his wife in heaven after 86 full years; a beautiful young woman was called home by God at age 16. Both are remembered for the greatest legacy anyone can leave. That legacy boils down to L-O-V-E.


What do you want to be remembered for? Don’t rush over this question. Contemplate it. Meditate on it. Open your heart. Why not be make a conscious decision about the way you will choose to live each day?


Life does not come down to who has the biggest house or the most expensive jewelry. It has little to do with the highest title or the fattest bank account. Rather, it comes down to simple acts of love. Each loving gesture is a deposit we make in the hearts of those we meet. A smile, a kind word, a prayer said on someone’s behalf, a meal prepared with care, time spent listening, laughing and sharing in meaningful conversation—any act of compassion or understanding makes a lasting impression.

....
I pray that these words have you thinking deeply about your purpose in life...Focus yourself.  Enjoy each moment.  Be YOUR best :)

Sending you love this week,
Patricia Omoqui, The Thought Dr.
http://www.patriciaomqoui.com/