Harness Your Power: On Love, Mothers and Life

My lovely daughters Maggie and Skye after making chocolate cupcakes.

Mother's day was wonderful.  My girls and I sure celebrated--and we did so on their terms (wink).  Saturday evening Skye (age 6) said to me, let's celebrate Mother's day by having a sleep out on the living room floor.  I suggested we'd be more comfortable if we slept in our beds, but she was SURE this was the best way to have fun.  So, I relented. 

We got out the blankets, extra pillows and attempted to be as cozy as possible on the floor.  I slept on the couch and woke up with a wonderful back ache.  I smiled when I felt the ache because I knew my little girls were happy and we had made a special memory.

In the morning we had breakfast with my mom Gayle.  She is an angel.  I don't say that lightly or from a biased perspective.  Everyone who knows my mom is amazed at how giving, kind, peace-filled and wise she is.  As for me, I feel as if I got the best mom on the planet.  Not only did she offer me a mother's love and acceptance while growing up, she is also the editor of my articles and my book AND one of the best mentors I have ever found. 

I am blessed.  Counting my blessings is the best way for me to remember the richness of the gifts in my life.  I have a devoted husband, a supportive extended family, two little girls who teach me to play more and I do work that I love. . . those are the highlights on my list right now.

I keep being reminded that it is the simple, priceless things that are the most wonderful.  A Mother's Day card from my child with a handwritten note is more of a treasure than an expensive gift any day.

I am mellow today, just pondering some of the deeper questions of life and its purpose.  So, perhaps the best idea for the week ahead is to stay fully focused in gratitude for every blessing tiny to gigantic.  Don't miss out on any of it.   Write a list right now!

Cherish the moment and treasure the ones you love.

That's my focus,

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

Harness Your Power: It's Not Personal Unless You Make it So!

(No, that is not a picture of me!)

Too often we take what other people say and do as a personal attack.  I've learned that other people are entitled to their own opinions, judgments and perceptions.  It's up to me whether I allow what they are saying to upset me or if I see what they are offering as simply information to consider.

Here's a good story I found on the subject:

A tale is told about the Buddha, Gautama (563-483BC), the Indian prince and spiritual leader whose teachings founded Buddhism. This short story illustrates that every one of us has the choice whether or not to take personal offence from another person's behaviour.



It is said that on an occasion when the Buddha was teaching a group of people, he found himself on the receiving end of a fierce outburst of abuse from a bystander, who was for some reason very angry.


The Buddha listened patiently while the stranger vented his rage, and then the Buddha said to the group and to the stranger, "If someone gives a gift to another person, who then chooses to decline it, tell me, who would then own the gift? The giver or the person who refuses to accept the gift?"


"The giver," said the group after a little thought. "Any fool can see that," added the angry stranger.


"Then it follows, does it not," said the Buddha, "Whenever a person tries to abuse us, or to unload their anger on us, we can each choose to decline or to accept the abuse; whether to make it ours or not. By our personal response to the abuse from another, we can choose who owns and keeps the bad feelings."

Are you accepting negative "gifts" from others?  You don't have to.  You always have a choice of whether you take in what another person offers you.
 
Choose wisely.  Each choise affects the quality of your life experience.
 
With a wish for peace,
Patricia Omoqui, The Thought Dr.
http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/

Harness Your Power: Give Yourself the BEST Gift!

The most important gift we can give ourselves is Self-Love and Acceptance.  How might your life change if you moved beyond all self-doubt and self-criticism and decided to simply, unconditionally value yourself?

Here are a few ideas to help you:

To overcome your self doubt, the first and most important step is to become fully aware of your self-criticism. Take today and really study your thoughts. Why is it that you doubt yourself? What is it that you believe about yourself that causes you to think you aren’t as good as other people or that you can’t attain the level of success you desire?


To really get beyond self-doubt, you need to know why you doubt yourself.

Observe your thoughts. Write down on paper what you think so that you can see it clearly.

Next, ask yourself, “Where did these thoughts come from?” Look closely and try to get a sense of who told you this about yourself or why you decided this was true.

You may begin to see that your parents, siblings, teachers, friends etc. convinced you years ago that you aren’t good enough or you don’t have what it takes for success.

QUESTION THIS!

You are born with intrinsic value and a unique set of gifts. How could the Creator make mistakes in how you were created? You are an incredible person, one with great power. To activate your power and potential you must open to knowing your personal value. Value doesn’t come from what you achieve or what possessions you have. You ARE valuable already. Once you know this, everything in your life will begin to change.

Remember that these old thoughts of self-doubt are habits. You’ve been practicing this type of thinking for many years. So, it will take some effort to create a new set of thinking habits.

Here are some new possibilities:

I am amazing.

I am valuable.

I am important.

I am here for a reason.

I am gifted.

I am talented.

I am strong.

I am full of love.

I enjoy life.

I have fun all the time.

I am kind to others.

I am smart.

I am a leader.

I lead by example.

I listen to my heart

I respect others.

I speak my truth.

I am honest.

I love to read and learn.

I make the World a better place.

That’s enough to get you started.

To move beyond this self-doubt will take some effort on your part. But, if you do, the rewards will pay off in HUGE dividends for the rest of your life.

I have written many articles on the topic of self-esteem. If you want more of this type of writing from me, send me an email at allure@patriciaomoqui.com and let me know you want to move beyond self-doubt.

If you want to share your observations of your thoughts with me, then drop me another email and tell me what you’ve discovered. I can help you find alternate thinking that will empower you in 2010.

Also, I have a free daily email list that can support you in seeing yourself in a more positive way. Go to my website www.patriciaomoqui.com and put your email in the red box called Food For Thought if you are interested in receiving these.

Blessings and Love,

Patricia Omoqui, The Thought Dr.

www.patriciaomoqui.com

Harness Your Power: Joy & Passion

Today I write in honor of my oldest daughter, Maggie.  This Tuesday Miss Maggie Moo will turn 7 years old.  I'm amazed at how quickly these years have gone by. 

For those of you who know me well, you are aware that I call Maggie my greatest teacher.  It was her arrival in my life that caused me to do some deep soul searching.  At three months of age we were told that Maggie was a floppy baby.  She underwent every test thinkable only for us to be told they didn't know why she had low muscle tone.  We were left in total uncertainty -- told that Maggie might not walk, talk or be "normal."

I celebrate my daughter today!  She can walk.  She struggles still getting up the stairs.  She can talk.  She still has speech therapy and is not as understandable as other kids her age.  She has developmental delays and yet is learning to read, write and do simple math problems.  She is tenacious.  She never gives up on learning.  Thankfully she is a born teacher.  Whatever she does in the classroom at school she carries home to instruct her baby dolls all evening long.

My daughter was officially diagnosed with Prader Willi Syndrome when she was 5 years old.  I'm learning that this syndrome has a wide range of possibilities for a person's life.  I'm coming to understand that we have no idea what her future will bring so we need not spend our time worrying about it or wondering.  Maggie has taught me to live in the present moment and embrace life wholeheartedly.  That is how she lives.  She doesn't even know that she has this syndrome.  She simply lives with zest and freedom.

I give thanks today for physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, doctors, nurses and supportive family and friends who have helped us make so much progress.  Maggie is resilient.  She is smart with a very sharp set of ears --she NEVER misses a word that is said and we are often shocked when she reminds us of what we said!

I look back now and see that if I had spent the last 7 years in worry, I would have been miserable.  Instead, I have focused on the beauty in Maggie.  I've accepted her journey as HER journey, not one to be measured against other children.  I have celebrate each step of progress and watched in wonder at how she always has kept a happy spirit and a brilliant smile.

Maggie follows her passion.  She loves to teach.  She told her pre-school teacher one day that she was going to take her job and that her teacher would have to go get a job at McDonalds!  That is how serious Maggie is about her teaching.  For her birthday she asked for a white board and markers.  Since opening her gift yesterday she has been using the white board to further instruct her babies.

I am in awe as I watch her.  She jumps for joy almost every day.  She loves life.  She loves others.  She is kind.  She is helpful and motherly.  She is all that I could ever have asked for in a daughter.

Here is what I want to say to her this week:  "Thank you Miss Maggie for stimulating me to be joyful and follow my passion.  It is because of you that I am an inspirational speaker, life coach and writer.  I love you.  I am in awe of you, Mom"

Please, in honor of Maggie and because life is so short, follow your passion.  Do what comes naturally.  Remember what makes you tick, what you can't get enough of and begin to incorporate it into your life.

And, this week, please find at least one opportunity to jump up and down and celebrate life like my dearest daughter.  Notice that as you do this you MUST smile.  Jumping for joy is fun.

Living with joy and passion,
Patricia Omoqui, The Thought Dr.
http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/

Harness Your Power: Be a Hero!

Sitting here this evening feeling tremendously inspired as I watch the CNN Heroes Awards. The people honored on this show are no different than you or me. They are simple, kind beings. They have stepped forward and followed their inner urges to help others. One thought, one word and one act at a time they touch lives, spreading love.

What is it that beckons you to serve? You know your inner calling. It echoes in your heart. Now is your time to get started. Take one baby step a day towards fulfilling your life mission.

If you feel unsure about what your purpose is, look deep within. Ask to be guided to it. Listen. Watch. Notice what brings you to tears, what moves your heart.

Then, step forward and act. Get involved. So many community organizations could use your help. It's time for each of us to live love. As we live love and give love it brings us love. Spread your love. Use your power. You are the change that your World awaits.

Serving others is the greatest honor and the most fulfilling thing you will experience in your life.

I weep as I see the positive changes happening across the World. It's time for more. It's time to unleash your power, your love and your gifts.

For those heroes who have been serving courageously, don't give up. Keep the faith. Your work is needed.

Thank you, heroes. I honor you tonight. I step forward with you. I believe in change.

Full of love and compassion,

Patricia Omoqui

http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/

Harness Your Power: Know You Are Gifted!

I had the honor two weeks ago of speaking for a large non-profit organization in the area called Kencrest. Kencrest is a 101 year old human services agency that provide services to people with developmental disabilities. I had the opportunity to deliver the keynote speech for a staff training day. In preparation for the speech I visited several of Kencrest's sites. Seeing the services they offer and the approach they take blessed my heart.

As some of the staff described their work to me it became very clear that they truly care about honoring the needs and desires of those they work with. They take a person-centered approach and allow their clients to develop a life that feels good to them -- with the work they enjoy, the house they live in and the activities they get involved with in the community.

Over and over I am reminded that each of us is specially gifted. Those with "disabilities" are merely differently, specially abled people who have brilliant gifts to give the World. We all have valuable gifts we bring to the World. Isn't it time we started to value ourselves so that we could more freely share the love and talent we have?

Many of us get lost in self-doubt and feel "not good enough." Because of this we sit on our couches afraid that we don't have much to give. This is insanity! If you really take a good look at yourself, you can find countless beautiful character traits, fascinating ideas, and wonderful life experiences you have to share with the World. So, what's stopping you?

The answer is....

YOU are stopping you. You are the only one who can stop yourself from living a full, incredible, courageous life.

I challenge you this week to know that you are gifted. Just know it. (That's my slogan -- I actually like it better than Nike's -- ha ha.) Know that there is no mistake in who you are. You have the perfect body for this life journey you are on. Your spirit is more powerful than you have yet begun to understand. There are so many ways you can begin to bless the World -- IF YOU JUST BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!

Don't leave it to others to believe in you. Do it yourself. If you do, there is no stopping you from getting off the couch, getting out of the comfort zone and letting your talents loose in the World.

Watch out World -- change is coming! The change begins in your heart and spreads like a ripple effect to the entire planet.

Just know it this week... will you please just know it because I need you to be you and so does the rest of the human race.

With loving honor for the special gifts we each bring,

Patricia Omoqui

http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/