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/

Harness Your Power: Share with Purpose

I find that the Universe brings the most unusual people onto my path to serve.  And, sometimes service comes in sharing the simplest things.  There is a girl I met in my neighborhood who has a small baby.  She needs food and encouragement.  As I've cooked this past week I made extra portions.  What joy this small offer of kindness and food brought to this young lady. 


I used to think that serving others meant doing big things.  But now, I am seeing that Mother Theresa was right -- it is small things done with great love that change our World.

I see that I can't take care of all the needs.  So I've been guided to investigate the many non-profit organizations in the area so that as people come into my life, I can connect them to the resources they need.  I am amazed at how many individuals and organizations care so deeply for the lives of others.  I am happy to be growing my network so that I can be part of sharing my time, energy and resources with purpose.

What small things are you being called to do for your family, friends and community?  You do have a calling.  Open your eyes this week and ask, "How can I serve?"  Be prepared.  You will be guided to simple ways to show love to others.  In doing this, you will receive so much joy in return.

Giving and receiving are truly the same thing!
In giving we receive.  In receiving we give the gift of accepting another person's desire to give.

With love for you as we share ourselves purposefully with the World,

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

Harness Your Power: You are Provided For

I just had to share some of the amazing, synchronistic provisions I have been experiencing the last few weeks.  To start, I had been wanting to have a birthday party for my daughter, Skye, who turns 5 soon.  I went to pick her up at school and another mother told me she was just about to hand out the invitations for her son's birthday party.  We were talking about the expense of birthday parties and I said, "What would you think of doing a joint party and splitting the costs since they have the same classmates."  She replied, "That is a great idea!" 

So, with virtually no planning on my part, Skye is having a birthday party next Saturday with all her friends.  And, since we are splitting the costs, neither of us are spending much money!  Amazing.  I just chuckle in wonder at how God aligns my path even on these seemingly small life details.

Then, just today, I was out doing some shopping and I ran into a lady who I knew from my daughter's school.  We got to talking and she started telling me about what she does for work.  She works at a family center in our area and supports young mothers in learning how to help their children learn in the first few years of life.  It just so happened that I needed to meet a person like this so I could introduce her to a young mom I know who needs this EXACT type of support.  Again, no planning on my part.  I was just walking my path, open to the possibilities and the right people appeared!

It is just incredible to notice the countless ways in which we are provided for.  I am so grateful, so full of joy and peace because of all this evidence of how well I am cared for by the Universe.

Are you noticing all the blessings?  Are you celebrating the "coincidences" and synchronicities occuring in your life?  Pay attention -- you are probably having more of these than you are even aware of.

I send each of you love this week.
I'm here to support you in reaching your full potential and in feeling well.

Why not check out this video I made reminding you of the Free Resources of the Universe...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbRoL66sYr4 .

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

Harness Your Power: Flow, Flow, Flow

I mistakenly clicked on a link that caused a terrible virus to take over my computer.  As I type right now on another computer, my husband and his friend are working to correct the issue.  I pray that they are able to clean it out--because, I haven't backed up my writing files for two whole months.

I had an hour or so of deep inner grief this afternoon thinking about what I might have lost.  Then, I just had to laugh.  I have been working on not being "attached" to results and even to "stuff."  So, my attachment to my writing became clear this afternoon.  I released my grief and came back to peace knowing that all is well no matter the outcome.

I am learning to flow, flow, flow with life.  As I do I find it easier to grow, grow, grow in peace rather than in deep struggle.  Letting go and being surrendered is one of the most challenging lessons I have (and still am) learning.  Life keeps bringing me the PERFECT opportunities to learn.  My prayers for growth are always answered in the best ways. 

I attended a spiritual gathering this morning.    Maggie and Skye, my daughters, attended.  During the service the children went out and had a separate lesson.  They came back in and went to the stage.  They told us what they learned -- and this morning they talked about music.  Suddenly, Skye had a microphone in her hand and she had told the teacher she wanted to sing to the audience.  Tears rolled down my cheeks as my little girl (she will be 5 in April) stood fearlessly with a microphone and sang a verse of a Hanna Montana song!  Hmmm, perhaps not the most spiritual choice for a service like this, but she got a standing ovation from many in the crowd.  Of course I was on my feet cheering her on!

You just never know the opportunities that might be on your path this week.  So, glo with the flow and be fearless.  Stand up.  Share your gifts with the world.  I'll be glad to give you a standing ovation as you do.

With my love, with my prayer and with my encouragement to be your best,

Patricia Omoqui, The Thought Dr.
www.patriciaomoqui.com

Harness Your Power: Small Acts of Love

In the words of Mother Theresa, “Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat.”

Look around your community with new eyes. Are there any forgotten people around you? Take notice.

As you go throughout this week ask yourself, “What small acts of kindness, compassion and care can I do to help make my community a Great Community?”

Let us make sure that nobody is left behind on the train of well-being.  Let us translate our desire for change into doing “small things with great love.”

Is there a child in your neighborhood who needs some new clothes?

Does a poor family need a meal tonight?

Might your gift of mentoring change the life course of a young person in your community?

Will you lend an ear to someone who is hurting and needs someone to talk to?
It's time to translate our desire for change into visible action!

What will your part be in the week ahead?

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

Harness Your Power: Write It Down!

I find myself continually suggesting to clients to put pen to paper and write down their thoughts.  Writing is a way to get the swirling thoughts that overwhelm us out of our head so we can see them in black and white.

Here are a number of exercises I regularly recommend:

Write down your FEARS!  Just today one of my clients was struggling with some intense fear.  She took the time to write all the fears down.  It helped her to see the fear with a clearer mind.  She started to see how extreme some of the fears were and was able to sit and study them more objectively.  She even began to question the fears and see if there were new perspectives she could adopt to help her feel better.

Write down your burdens.  If you feel heavy, weighed down by your personal burdens and the suffering of others, take five minutes and write a list of all the burdens.  Then, take this piece of paper and file it away in the "Universe File."  Give the burdens to God and walk through your day feeling peace and hope.  Trust.  If you find yourself starting to worry, remember that you already put your list in the biggest hands there are!

Take stock of all that you are experiencing.  Often my clients will say, "I don't understand why I feel so drained and exhausted."  I help them recall the many intense situations they are going through --whether it is an aging parent, a stressful situation at work, a financial challenge or a health issue -- these real-life difficulties can be intense.  Give yourself credit for all that is going.  Then, remember that when you have a lot of these situations going on at once, you need to take good care of yourself!  Get extra rest.  Eat well.  Pat yourself on the back for your courage.

Write your gratitude list!  Yes, please remember to write all the good things down that are going on in your life.  No matter how small the blessing, focus on the wonderful things in your life.  Generate positive inner energy by giving thanks.

Hope these are helpful exercises for you!  If you don't like writing, then I would suggest you draw it or find some form of creative expression so that you can process your inner feelings.  Don't stuff it inside or you will get "clogged up". 

I'm here to support, help and encourage you.
With Deep Love for You!

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

Harness Your Power: Heal those BUTTONS!

I sit here tonight writing this blog after getting rather angry-- someone just "pushed my buttons."  I didn't know I even had this BUTTON!  I certainly am aware of it now.  I am glad that I realize I have more of my own personal healing to do.

What is a button?  A button is a spot inside me or you that is sensitive and when touched by someone in our lives, causes us to react.  Often the reaction is quite strong and intense.

I often say when I speak to audiences that our buttons are quite an opportunity for self-growth.  I sit here looking at my button, my reaction and the deep beliefs I hold that caused me this inner (and outer) craziness.  Why do I over-react?  Why do I get so upset?  I am meditating on this and will be for the week ahead.

We want to blame others for our reactions -- "If HE hadn't pushed my buttons, then I wouldn't have reacted this way!  It was HIS (or HER) fault!"  I want to challenge this idea of blaming our reactions on others.

The illustration I often use is a wound on your arm.  If you have a wound on your arm and someone pours salt in it, what happens?  You would probably cry out in pain -- perhaps you would scream. 

If you DID NOT have a wound on your arm and someone pours salt on it, what would happen?  The salt would provide exfoliation for your skin and fall away.  There would be no pain. 

When we have these over-the-top reactions, it is because of what is INSIDE us, not what is outside.  If we begin to understand this then we have the opportunity for learning some incredibly beautiful lessons.

Off to heal my remaining buttons.  It seems that I find more and more.  I am laughing as I write this ...what interesting human beings we are, huh?  I have a long way to go and so much more to learn. 

I am happy for the learning.  I want to heal fully so that I can be truly peaceful, deeply loving and able to choose a response rather than give a knee-jerk reaction.

Healing with you...hope you will take stock of "your buttons" this week.

With Love,

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