Harness Your Power - How to Shine!

Last Friday night, my daughter Skye's elementary school had a dance.  Of course, both Skye (5) and Maggie (8) were determined to attend.  Skye got all dressed up with her princess dress, nails polished and hair perfectly done.  Maggie went in a more comfortable outfit.  They both looked adorable.

The main lights were turned off and the disco lights turned on.  The kids were full of sugary treats and ready to get their groove on.  As a special activity, the organizers had arranged several dance competitions ---for the teachers, the parents, one for the boys and another for the girls.  People were boogying down in these competitions. 

Maggie and Skye both participated in the girls competition.  There were 40 to 50 little girls dancing away to Beyonce's "All the Single Ladies".  To my great surprise, the judges decided that Maggie was the winner of the contest!

Why was I surprised?  Well, Maggie isn't the most skilled dancer and she probably didn't even have the "perfect" dance moves.  But what she brought to the competition was total enthusiasm, fearlesssness and fun.  And boy did she shine.  There is nothing like seeing Maggie Omoafe Omoqui in action.  When she goes for something, she goes all out.

As I thought about the dance this week I realized, it isn't usually the most qualified or the most skilled that get the furthest with their dreams.  Yes, getting the right skills is a component of success.  But more important than the qualifications is the attitude that goes with them. 

If you are ready to shine, to go higher, to achieve your dreams, then I recommend you bring some "Maggie-Moo Shine" to your week.  BE full of enthusiasm when you do something.  Be completely fearless and just go all out.  And, have some fun while you work hard.  If you do those three things, you are sure to SHINE, to STANDOUT amongst your peers.

My daughters keep teaching me to be a better person, and that sure is the case again today.

Working on my shine with you,

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

Harness Your Power: Listening...Renewed Focus

I've decided to renew my focus on listening.  I want to be more aware, more present to others.  I see that often the greatest gift I can offer another person is my full attention.  So, with clients, with my family members and with my children -- I am quieting my mind and opening my heart.  I am choosing to engage my listening.

So, in light of all this, I offer a few suggestions that I am practicing this week.


1. Commit to spending at least a minute or two each day in silence. Focus on your breath. Simply notice your mental chatter. Understand the vitality of each thought. You might want to look at them as prowling tigers and appreciate their strength and beauty as they parade across the screen of your mind. Try not to engage them. Simply let them pass. Return your focus to your breath. If you find yourself tempted to play with the tigers, you might be in for a tussle. That’s okay. It’s natural. Just smile and go back to breathing. First practice this silence on your own. Then, when you find yourself in conversation, practice silence again. Quiet your mind and choose to focus on the other person’s words. Let your own thoughts pass by.

2. Observe yourself while in conversation. Are you able to stay focused while someone is talking to you or does your mental activity take over? Just notice. Don’t judge yourself. Become aware of the opportunity you have to grow your listening skills. Set an intention: I desire to become an attentive listener.



3. To increase your self-awareness, do a daily listening review each evening. How many times did you truly listen? How many times were you bored or uneasy? How many times did your mind take over? If your mind took over, where did it go? Here are some possibilities: To your own activities? To the past? To a criticism of the other person? To self-defense? Let this practice of detached self-evaluation help you grow.

I have much practice to do on this topic...and I'm approaching it with a light heart and spirit of adventure.
 
Why not join me?
 
With love,
Patricia Omoqui, The Thought Dr.
http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/

Harness Your Power: Daily Dedication

Have you noticed how quickly a day goes by?  Days slide into weeks and then melt into months.  Since time moves so fast, it is crucial to consciously focus our energy on our dreams.

Consider this simple formula - Dreams + Dedication = Success

Why aren’t more of us successful? We all have dreams.  (If you aren't sure of what your dreams are, check out my video - Write Your Next Chapter. )   Even if we know what we want in 2010, many of us lack the dedication to see our ideas through to successful completion.

How dedicated are you to your personal success? “Most of us serve our ideals by fits and starts. The person who makes a success of living is the one who sees his goal steadily and aims for it unswervingly. That is dedication.” (Cecil B. Demille)

Many of us start the New Year with big hopes and dreams. We may even take the time to write down our goals. Yet, few of us remain focused DAILY on the ideal, goals and desires we have for ourselves.

Consider implementing these ideas:

STAY FOCUSED. DO A DAILY DEDICATION:

To stay on target, I recommend you take at least 5 minutes each day, at the beginning of the day, to remind yourself what you are aiming for.  Intentionally review your dreams and goals. Be clear on what actions you can take TODAY to take steps close to your dreams.  Say a prayer for Divine help, support and guidance.

TAKE DAILY BABY STEPS!

Yes, small steps add up.  Do your part.  Follow your guidance.  Focus your energy.  Do the legwork that comes to mind.  Though these steps might seem insignificant, they are essential in making progress to realize your big dreams.

HOLD YOURSELF ACCOUNTABLE. End the day with DEDICATION:

Each day before going to bed, do a five-minute review – did you stay focused on your goals? Did you make any progress on them? If so, pat yourself on the back.

If not, what distracted you? Can you remove these distractions and disruptions? Renew your commitment. Say a prayer.

Use these three ideas every day the entire year.  You will be amazed at the progress you can make with this type of clear dedication.

In the words of the great American football coach, Vince Lombardi, “A man can be as great as he wants to be. If you believe in yourself and have the courage, the determination, the DEDICATION, the competitive drive and if you are willing to sacrifice the little things in life and pay the price for the things that are worthwhile, it can be done.”

I'm practicing these ideas with my own dreams.  They keep me on track.
I'm here to help and support you in creating a life you love.

Check out my video on Writing Your Next Chapter -- it might be just what you need to be certain you know what you want to experience in this new chapter of 2010:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHXod9UABwI

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

Harness Your Power: Be In THIS Moment

I just got home from a week at the beach with my family. It was a wonderful break. For me, it was a time to do no writing or work for a full week and just allow myself to enjoy the beauty and majesty of the ocean.

Each morning I indulged in a long walk by the water. The rushing in and out of the waves cleared my head and my heart. The rising sun reminded me of the constant support of the Universe -- never failing us, always on time. The precision of the Universe astounded me as did the power. The ocean waves were so strong the last two days we were there that we were not permitted to enter the water.

The moment I arrived home I felt some resistance. A few of my old thought patterns on career and money emerged. I spent the afternoon observing my mind and noticing the inner storm that was brewing. I was fascinated that I could go from total peace while on vacation to discord.

What was the difference between before coming home from vacation and after? My thoughts. While on vacation I totally surrendered to being away. I went with the flow of each day and did not entertain any negativity, worry or fear. I gave myself a complete break from mental work. I took time to refresh my spirit and play as a child.

Then, back to reality. Or, I began creating a new reality for myself when I walked in the door of my home. It was my thoughts that had changed!

So, after a few hours of old thought patterns, I released the emotions and said a prayer for peace. I was reminded by a friend's post on Facebook that each moment I have a choice between resistance to life or surrender to it's flow.

Today I choose: surrender, peace, well-being, gratitude, happiness. I am determined to focus on the beauty of each moment and bring my vacation attitude into my week. I don't want to miss out on one joyful possibility. So, I open my heart. I embrace this moment, then the next and the next.

Will you join me in THIS moment?

It is rather beautiful when the fear dissolves.

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: Tap Into Nature

I just finished a walk at a beautiful park in the area. I find it so refreshing to get outside and breathe fresh air. I feel thankful for the cool, gentle breeze coupled with the warm summer air. Being in nature has a way of lifting my spirit.

The past year I've used a technique as I walk to focus my mind and not allow it to wander to my to-do list or to worries. I spend at least 10 minutes while I walk creating positive affirmations about who I am as a person, what I create with my life and the impact I have on the World around me. I call this "Walking in Joy." It's fantastic what this little exercise can do. Even if I find my mood low to start my walk, by the time I've complete these affirmations I feel better.

If for some reason I'm unable to get into "affirmation mode," then instead I will do a "Focus on Gratitude." This is a bit simpler. I just begin to list anything and everything that I can be grateful for. This is a great technique to use while on the treadmill or in other locations such as -- in the car as you drive, as you lay in bed in the morning, while you take your shower, or as you drink your coffee.

I also use my nature walks as a way to hone my observation skills. Today, for instance, I tuned my ears into the crickets chirping, the corn husks brushing against each other and the birds singing. Such wonderful, melodious sounds there are! I also noticed the thump, thump, thump of my own footsteps as I walked along. I used my eyes to enjoy fluttering butterflies, soaring hawks, fluffy clouds, vibrant wildflowers, and last but not least a chubby groundhog.

Isn't life rich and amazing? When we are able to get out of the chitter-chatter of our minds and become more present with the wonders life has to offer us, we feel uplifted by the gifts of the Universe.

Take time this week to tap into nature. You don't need any money in your bank account to enjoy the vast resources the Universe makes available to you at no cost! It just takes a bit of effort on your part to move out of your comfort zone so you can go and experience more of the World around you.

In awe of life,
Patricia Omoqui
http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/