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: Cherish the Priceless

This Sunday our pastor asked that our entire congregration join in prayer for a family whose son has a brain tumor.  This four year old boy was rushed to Children's Hospital for an emergency surgery.  They did not know if he would survive the surgery or not.  He did.  Yet, his family is being told that he has very little time to live.

There was not a dry eye in the service.  We joined in prayer for peace and comfort for the family.

I've been sitting with this in my heart all week.  I have been taking the time to cherish the priceless gift of my daughters and my husband.  I am looking at them with fresh eyes--enjoying them with greater appreciation. 

I have come to this conclusion:  I could have all the money, the fame, the success but without a family to share this with, it would be empty.  And, if I don't have the money, the fame or the success but I have my family, my life would still feel full.

I ask this week that you look at the people in your life with new gratitude.  Look for the good in them.  Find the love and connection and grow it! 

It is truly love that brings a depth and satisfaction to life -- it's not the external "stuff" that does.

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

Harness Your Power: Get Out & Network

I went to a great event in Philadelphia last night focused on Women, Empowerment and Leadership.  It was hosted at the Constitution Center In Philadelphia which is a fabulous venue.  The featured speaker was Carla Harris, author of Expect to Win.  She gave great tips for success in the business world. It was an evening full of inspiration.  To top it off, I met some incredible new contacts.

Relationship building truly is a key to success.  Having a quality, top-rate group of people in your life is a catalyst on your journey to ever-evolving success.  It takes energy to get out and network.  Remember, it's not about the quantity of events you attend.  It's about choosing the right quality events to be part of.

When you get there, relax and be yourself.  Shine.  Extend a hand and get to know the people around you.  You are a valuable professional. You have much to offer based on your unique set of experiences, skills, personality and connections.  Look people in the eye with compassion and confidence as you shake their hand and greet them.

Last evening I went to the venue alone.  I walked the room several times with a smile on my face, looking for those who I felt drawn to connect with.  With time, I found myself in many interesting conversations--I met a fellow Princeton graduate, a top-executive who expressed interest in having me speak at an event and a distinguished woman who felt the need for a life coach after we chatted for a short time about self-confidence.

Now there is follow-up to do.  It's time to connect with those I met via email and set a time to get to know them even better.  I usually schedule a lunch or a coffee so I can deepen the relationship and know the person better.  This type of connection often leads to an important exchange of information and contacts and allows me to make a new friend.  Remember the words of Peter Drucker, "More business decisions occur over lunch and dinner than at any other time, yet no MBA courses are given on the subject."

So, get out there and get to know some new people.  Offer your kindness and your contacts to others and you will find that others will do the same for you.

May growing success meet your path!
Patricia Omoqui, The Thought Dr.

http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/