Harness Your Power: The "List Exercise"

I thought I'd share with you this week a simple, but helpful practice I use on a daily basis.  It keeps me organized, helps me prioritize my work and it also assists me in letting go of my worries.

In the morning as I start my day, I write two lists.  The first list is all the "next steps" I am aware that I could take in reaching my goals and taking care of my responsibilities in my work and personal life.  The second list is a list for "My Project Manager" a.k.a. for God.  It is a list of all the issues, concerns and items that I feel are currently out of my control.  By putting them on paper I am consciously surrendering the worry and declaring to myself that I will be guided and directed in the resolution of each item on this list.

Sometimes I take a third step and write out a prayer.  This is a helpful way for me to express what is in my heart, how I feel about the successes and the challenges in my life and then, it allows me to release the burdens I am feeling.

I've been learning once again that spending time fretting over what is out of my hands only makes me feel sick inside.  When I relax and trust that every seeming issue finds a way to a good resolution, I feel better and keep more of my precious energy.

I wish you a happy, productive and peaceful week ahead.
Give the lists a try and let me know what you think!

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

Harness Your Power: Love What You Do!

I've spent quite a deal of time with Maggie and Skye this week since they are now on summer break. It's such a pleasure to have this luxury (something I now considered a necessity). As we drove to some of our favorite places (the park, the zoo, the library, the pool) I was continually reminded that not too long ago, I would never have the freedom to spend this time with them. For many years I did not have this flexibility.

Let's rewind to 2004: I was sitting in an office with a nice title, a good paycheck and feeling BORED out of my mind. To honor my employer I did my best every day. I must admit, though, that my mind often wandered to the question, "What do I REALLY want to do with my life?"

I struggled for a long time and could only answer, "I don't know." Even though I couldn't pinpoint the type of position or title I wanted to have, I began writing down the things I wanted: flexibility, more time with my kids, to feel happy every day, to have freedom to travel and work whenever and wherever I wanted...the list grew over time. This clarification process went on for over a year and then suddenly, the light bulb came on. I spent two days at a Terri Levine seminar called The Learning Spa and within the first few minutes of being there, I KNEW! Many attendees were life coaches and they began explaining their job to me. What? I could get paid to help people improve their lives and feel better about themselves???

I instantly realized coaching was for me. Not more than five minutes later the first speaker got on stage. I sat in my seat wondering, "Why am I not up there speaking?" I had done public speaking in junior high, high school, college and as a professional basketball player. I knew that I wanted to be on stage again.

At that point I already was producing my daily email list, Food For Thought (you can sign up at my website http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/ ). So, I finally concluded with my affirmative statement: I am an internationally recognized speaker, life coach and writer. Wow. I had my vision. It was finally clear.

The road forward was not always easy as I got launched but I kept taking small steps each day: printed business cards, set up a blog, a website, took coaching classes, did speaking gigs for free -- I started where I was with the resources I had and before I knew it, I had a paid speaking engagement and a paying coaching client! Those were exciting times for me and I certainly celebrated. There were often challenges and there still are many that I face. However, I LOVE what I do.

A friend commented on my Facebook site the other day, "Trish, you are really good at this." Yes, I am. I am good at it because it is what I am passionate about and it fits who I am as a person. My growing success has to do with my hunger to learn more, to help more people and to be the best ME that I can be.

If you are sitting in a boring job wondering how you can stomach another day of work, please begin to affirm this several times an hour through your day: I open to doing something I love to do for my work. Open to the possibility that there IS another option and you CAN find it! Just starting to believe that you won't be stuck doing work you tolerate (or even hate) will give you some fresh energy. Then begin to imagine waking up and feeling truly excited about the day ahead rather than dreading it! How different would that be?

I challenge you this week to spend at least 10 minutes each day thinking about what you would really love to do. If you already have a job you enjoy, then spend the time dreaming about personal endeavors that get your juices flowing -- is there a book waiting to emerge from your soul? Are you longing to travel to every country on the Globe by age 55? Do you want to fly in a hot air balloon? Let your heart open and allow any suppressed desires to come up for exploration.

When you do what you love and love what you do, life begins to feel much like heaven. Yes, there are still difficulties, road bumps and detours in life, but you have a lighter spirit and more energy to deal with them.

What would you really, really, really love to do? How do you really want to feel about life? Who do you desire to be? Some wonderful questions to ponder this week!

If you need any support in answering these questions, please email me. In my work, I help people get clear on what they truly want in life and then give them the support they need in moving one baby step at a time towards it.

Loving life,

Patricia Omoqui

http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/

Harness Your Power: Blossoming With Joy

Spring has sprung in Pennsylvania. The past few weeks have been amazing to watch. Each day when I walk I have taken particular notice of the changes in the trees. About a month ago, the trees were completely naked -- no leaves, flowers or signs of growth. The last few weeks there has been evidence of new growth. . .little green, white or light pink specks appearing on the branches. Now flowers are starting to appear on many of the trees.

There is a buzz of excitement in the air as people emerge from their winter hibernations. Kids are laughing. Bubbles float by my head. Dogs are running the fields at the park more freely. People are smiling more.

Each day I see more evidence of growth! It's fun to wach.

I see Spring this year as a representation of my own personal blossoming. During the winters of life it feels so bleak and cold. Yet, during those winters everything is very clear -- I can see my inner workings clearly just as I can get a good look at the naked branches and trunks of the tree during winter. I learn about who I am in my core.

I feel joy as I see the winter in my life come to an end. I watch myself and my life with a smile as I see new growth. The blossoms appear and grow. The fragrance is refreshing. Before I know it, the whole of my life is full of so much beauty that I am overwhelmed by the growth!

Waiting for the blossoming to happen is hard. . .the winters feel long. You wonder if you will ever experience Spring again. But, Spring always comes.

If you are feeling winter in your life right now, take heart. Look all around you at nature for reminders that your life will blossom again. Keep focused on your desires. Plant your seeds of possibility. Water them. Trust that the Universe is growing them in the perfect time. Then wait patiently with a deep inner knowing and trust that your life is blossoming.

Breathe deeply. Get out in nature. Run in the fields with your hands in the air. Jump up and down when you go outside. Get your body moving again. Wake up to your life. Life beckons us to get out and explore. Venture out of your routines. Go for a hike. Cut some fresh flowers from those trees and brighten up your home.

Allow yourself to blossom with joy as Spring begins. . .there is so much beauty that surrounds you. Take it all in and give thanks.

I wish you a week full of blossoms of joy.

A big hug,

Trish Omoqui

http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/

Harness Your Power: Focus On the Light!

As typical in my life, this week was full of wonderful learning. I'm excited to share an important idea with you, one that is helping me make good choices and is also enabling my life coaching clients to do the same!

I had a life coaching call with a wonderful client this week. We will call him John for the sake of this blog. Over the past few months, John has taken the time to clarify in detail what his heart desires! It's been a fun process to go through with him! He has written it all down on paper. He has created a vision board depicting what he desires. He has connected to what is important to him, what he loves and what he is passionate about creating. By looking into his heart, John has found light in his life.

Now the challenge comes. John knows what he wants in his life, but he doesn't yet have it! When he looks at his life right now, he sees that he doesn't yet have what he wants. When he thinks about this, it makes him feel down and depressed. John isn't enjoying the job that he has. So, he feels discouraged that he doesn't have a new job yet. When he feels this, it drains his energy and keeps him from being inspired to take steps towards his vision for his new job. It keeps him from moving towards his vision for what he wants to create in his career.

It all boils down to a choice: In each moment, will I focus on what I don't want or will I focus on what I do want for my life? In each thought, will I focus on the vision I have for my life or will I focus on the darkness I feel about my current circumstances?

When you focus on the darkness, it feels really dark. You lose sight of the light. You curl up in a ball and feel bad inside. You get depressed. You forget the possibility of what you can create.

When you focus on the light, it feels bright. The darkness fades away into the background. You feel energized as you look at the light. Your intuition begins whispering to you your next steps of how to move closer to the light. You start moving in the direction of the light one step at a time. You feel the warmth of the light. You get closer and closer to it. You feel great, alive and ready to step into your vision!

Wow. What a difference our focus makes. Life is really simple and easy if we have the right focus.

So, if you notice yourself sitting in the dark, feeling upset and lonely, STOP. Stop yourself right away. Then, refocus on the vision you have for what you desire to create in your life. Look at it in detail. Let your emotions move towards the excitement of what you desire. Then, move towards the light.

Will you choose darkness or light this week?

Your choice makes all the difference in how you feel about life!

Basking in the light,

Patricia Omoqui
http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/

If you need help in clarifying your vision for life, let me know! I enjoy working with people to support them in creating their vision for life. It is a delightful process to work on!

If you feel stuck in the darkness, I would love to help you learn to focus more on the light -- sometimes you might think a light doesn't exist. . .but, it does. . .and I would be glad to guide you towards it until you can see it for yourself.

Drop me an email at thoughtdr@patriciaomoqui.com