Harness Your Power: Deal with Past Pain

A theme this week in my life coaching work this past week is the need to deal with past pain and traumas. 

Too many people think they can suppress or ignore past traumas with no implication to their lives.  Clients who have pain and trauma from the past (sometimes as far back as chidhood) who have not taken the time to heal, experience the effects throughout their lives.  Their relationships are impacted by the pain.  They often try to numb the pain with drugs, alcohol or some other form of addiction.  They may feel depressed or get stuck as they try to work on their goals.

The key is to identify the areas of pain that you have been ignoring.  In fact, write a list of the nagging issues from your past.  Then, one by one, open to heal and move through whatever pain and emotion lingers.  Until the past has been dealt with, it is very hard to reach your full potential and live fully today.

Journaling is an excellent way to begin this healing process.  As you write, make sure you come from your heart not from your mind.  Allow the emotions to surface.  Give yoursef permission to write anything that comes up.  Do not worry about punctuation or grammar.  Just put pen to paper and say it like you feel it. 

I wish you a week of healing!
If you need support in doing this, please contact me at thoughtdr@patriciaomoqui.com .

I'm here to support you in living your best life in 2011!

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

Harness Your Power: Enjoy Your Health

Last Tuesday night I received a call from my husband, "Trish, I am on my way to the emergency room, I broke my arm."  He had been playing soccer (futbol) with some friends.  His cleat got stuck in the ground and he fell in just the "perfect" way to break his left forearm in TWO places.   (Yes, that's him with my daughter Skye in this picture.  Believe me, he wasn't smiling like this when I saw him at the hospital!)

I called my mom, "Please, can you come be with the kids so I can get to the hospital.  David needs me." 

Thirty minutes later I was on my way to the hospital.  When I got there my husband was in the most pain I've ever seen him in.  His arm was dangling in front of him and was rather crooked -- bones were in directions they shouldn't be pointing.

After hours in the emergency room and x-rays, David was admitted.  Emergency surgery happened the following day.  The surgeon came and told me, "I love a good challenge and putting your husband's arm back together was a good one for me."  He was certainly passionate about his work, and I'm thankful for that.

Finally on Thursday evening I was able to bring David home. 

Life brings many unexpected challenges.  Watching the intense pain my husband has with every small movement made me extremely thankful for good health and a strong body.  We often don't value this enough. 

So, this week, I challenge you to notice how your body is working--wow...look at how those arms and wrists move.  Legs carry you along life's path each day.  Notice how many functions your body performs with any thought on your part!  Incredible!  Be thankful.  Nurture your body.  Pay attention if it tells you something is not working and get a physician to check you out if necessary.

Without a healthy body it is difficult to pursue our dreams or even enjoy the very basic, simple aspects of life.  Cherish what you have!  I had a moment of total love when I saw my husband after surgery...I was just SO THANKFUL it was only his arm that had been hurt.  I can't imagine life without him.

I give thanks for loving, supportive friends and family.  I appreciate surgeons, hospitals, and pain medications.  I am so thankful my husband is alive and that other than his arm, he is in great health.  I give thanks that all my bones are fully intact!  So many blessings, so many.

Much love and wishes for good health!

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

Harness Your Power: Tools for the Fire of Fear

The past few days I've experienced some very intense life situations.  They have brought my deepest fears back up to the surface for more healing.  In the moments when the fire of the fears burns strongest, I've sat quietly breathing.  I've taken the time to remind myself of the miraculous things that have been happening in my life the past few years.  I've used affirmations to help myself remember, "All is well.  I stay in the moment.  I enjoy what this moment offers me.  I am grateful for all the good in my life (then I list everything I can think of for which I can give thanks."

I have used these tools over and over the past few years.  They work. 

It doesn't mean that the fire doesn't feel hot, as if I may completely melt.  I actually have felt moments where I felt I might break into millions of little pieces.  But, I have learned that my spirit is far grander than the stories my mind tells me of future fear and guilty pasts.  I sit and watch my mental processes.  I feel what is there to be felt.  I move through it.  Then, after some time it passes and I move back into deep peace.

My faith is deepened.  I am more certain than ever that I am guided each step of the journey.

I wanted to share this with you so you can understand that you are not alone if you are facing difficulties that feel overwhelming. I  experience this too.  Yet, I've found a way to sit in the darkness with a calm spirit knowing that the storms will pass.

I was blessed this week to see a "rainbow spot" on a sunny day.  I've never seen anything like it before.  The sky was bright blue.  In the middle of one of the clouds was the most beautiful circle filled with the colors of a rainbow.  I looked up and breathed in the energy of hope it offered me.

Dear friend, we can only live one moment at a time.  To jump any further ahead than this moment often causes us too much suffering.  Breathe deeply this week and stay as present as you can.  Use gratitude to stay focused on the gifts this moment offers you.

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

Harness Your Power: Move to Deep Inner Peace and Calm

This has been an interesting week for me. I feel as if my internal energy has been shifting and growing more calm. My grandfather's death triggered some deep intensities -- though I miss him, I knew that what I was experiencing was different than grief. This event stirred up some of my deepest fears and pain. For a few days I sat with this old energy and just watched it. After I moved through it, I experienced a state of calm and peace deeper than I've know my whole life.

Even though there are many seeming challenges in my life I feel relaxed and peaceful. I am experiencing evidence of these internal changes in my outer world. As my energy is shifting inside, I see "stuck" points and areas of clutter in my house disappearing. Though I've envisioned these changes for a long time, they are suddenly getting resolved. I am able to simply and easily move into the space and take care of it. I wasn't able to do that before.

I also find that the Universe truly does make my schedule. When I stop worrying about how things will work out, they just do work out easily and effortlessly. My daughter Skye got a stomach bug on Wednesday night. I had several life coaching clients scheduled for Thursday. Skye needed my attention on Thursday when she stayed home from school. I was shocked when 2 of my 3 clients called and cancelled their appointments. This rarely happens! Then, when my remaining client called, Skye was asleep and I was able to give my full attention to coaching. There is truly nothing to worry about. Everything works out perfectly.

I am also getting to a deeper knowing of a verse in the Bible that says something like, "No matter what state I find myself in, I can be content." I feel truly satisfied right now with what I have. I even feel that if for some reason I lost everything, that the peace that passes understanding would still be there. And, if for some reason the Universe poured millions of dollars into my life, I'd still be in peace. My joy, peace and hope don't come from the material world, it comes from my connection to my Source.

I don't know if I'm expressing in words the profound sense of calm that I have within. My energy used to be so frantic, fearful and worried. I've focused for the last few years on shifting my thinking, on healing the deep hurt and pain in my being...and at last, I've come to a level of peace I thought to be possible....but now know to be possible.

I look forward to journeying deeper into this peace. I apologize if these ramblings aren't fully clarified. I am trying to express this new experience in words and sometimes words aren't adequate to express what we feel.

I wish you deep peace and inner calm this week.

There is nothing like it. It changes everything.

A big hug to all,

Patricia Omoqui

http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/

Harness Your Power: Get Some Rest!

After several non-stop weeks of activity, work and preparation for the holidays, I found myself exhausted. As one of my life coaching clients says, "My demons come out when I'm tired." That's true for me. Exhaustion comes in the form of a tired body and volatile emotions. You can ask my husband, I'm the type to cry when I'm at my low point. Early in my marriage it would upset him but now he understands that it's just how I get when I'm overtired. My warning signs emerged and I knew it was time to stop.

I have gotten a lot of rest the last week. It feels sooooooooo good to sleep or even to sit (or lie down) quietly and just breathe. When I put my kids down for a nap, I put myself down for one too. Sleep is essential to our well-being. Yet, many of us feel it is more important to be busy working (whether on professional work or housework) than it is to fill our tanks with energy.

I am determined to start the New Year in good form. I noticed that not only was I tired, I found myself mentally busy. I am usually very good about slowing down my mind and taking time for meditation. Yet, as I got really busy in December, my mind got into overdrive too. It has been refreshing to quiet my mind and move into my heart. By releasing the mental racing, I find myself clearer both mentally and emotionally.

I am also planning to give my body a break by doing a short fast. I want to clean out my internal systems. Our bodies are machines that need our care. If we don't ever do an "oil change" or "spark plug change" how can we expect to be in optimal working condition?

So, if you aren't feeling as well as you could, please take some time to rest. As you rest, listen to your bodies signals -- is your neck tense? Do you feel sharp or nagging pains anywhere? Are you stopped up, unable to release the waste that needs to flow out? (Sorry to those of you who find that topic disgusting...) Notice what your body is saying. Then, take action to give your body rest, good food, and plenty of love.

I am ready for a vibrant, adventurous 2009. Are you? I'm seeing that my main priority is to stay fully focused in each present moment of life. The more present I am the more I can sense my inner wisdom.

A big hug to each of you!

Take care of yourself as you enter 2009!

Patricia Omoqui

www.patriciaomoqui.com

Harness Your Power: Question Your Thoughts

I've been reminded this week of something I know so well but in challenging situations have to remind myself to practice: it is essential to question our thoughts! Our minds are often tyrants that send us into negative emotional spirals. Our old "fear and worry tapes" start playing in uncomfortable situations. The thoughts that arise (and that we buy into without questioning) can send us into mild discomfort and even deep depression.

This past week I observed myself following thought trails into deep personal suffering. I teach people a process called Harness Your Power which, in three simple steps, allows you to release old thoughts and beliefs and replace them with new, consciously chosen thoughts. I practice this process day in and day out. I'm good at it. Yet, when the deepest points of pain that remain inside me are touched, my mind still can get the most of me.

I'm thankful for the past few days where I've seen my mind do this frantic dance. I know the level of mastery and enlightenment I want to attain so I recognize the beauty of moving through pain to deeper levels of healing and growth.

The last 24 hours have shown me that when our pain bodies take over (read Eckhart Tolle's book, A New Earth) they can overtake us--unless, of course, we begin to observe and question them.

I was guided last night to http://www.oprah.com/ and watch a series of Webcasts she did with Byron Katie as part of her Soul Series. Byron Katie wrote an amazing book called Loving What Is. In her book she teaches four questions to use in challenging your thoughts. One of the questions that I find very helpful is, "Who would I be without this thought?" I use this question often and recognize that if I stopped the worry thoughts and guilty thoughts -- fully letting them go-- I can move back into a state of peace.

As we move through this week I encourage all of us to watch our thoughts. Notice the thoughts that cause you discomfort and pain. Then, ask yourself the above question. See that as you learn to release thoughts of suffering you can find peace right now.

Let's keep learning and growing together!

{On a sweet, beautiful note, my oldest daughter, Maggie was so excited this week as we attended her kindergarten orientation. She was bouncing with delight as we left the house. The smile on her face as she met her teachers, friends and saw her new classroom helped me to see the excitement available to us in life. Kids haven't forgotten the joy -- and they haven't gotten lost in fearful thinking...let's be more like them:) }

With deep love for each of you,

Patricia Omoqui

http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/

Harness Your Power: Allow Time for Healing

Healing is not optional -- unless, of course, you want to carry wounds with you as you move forward on your journey.

When I was 16 years old my parents divorced. It was a messy situation. After the divorce my Dad chose not to be involved in my life for the 17 years following. That was extremely painful to me during those years.

I spent many days and nights during my college years crying and working through the pain of the situation. It was no fun experiencing such intense emotion, but after I moved through the inner healing process, I was certainly glad I had taken the time to heal.

This week has been a week of healing in our house. My daughter Maggie had her eye surgery on Monday. It was a short procedure. After the procedure her eye was blood red. It still is. Yet, I watch her each day and it is amazing how her body has been healing. She bounced back quickly from the surgery because she spent extra time resting each day.

I've been healing too. My knee was intensely swollen at the beginning of the week. I wondered whether or not it was going to heal. I listened to my intuition and decided to keep off my feet as much as possible to allow it to heal. It's good that I did. The swelling is going down and the pain is less each day. Had I pushed myself to be active, it certainly would not have gotten better.

I'm also moving through inner healing processes right now. It's actually a beautiful process to experience. I believe that in order for our lights to shine brightly in the World, we must allow the dark, heavy emotions we have in the depths of our being to bubble up. If we allow this to occur and we take the time to acknowledge our pain and work through it, then it transforms to beauty and wisdom.

There are no shortcuts to this process. One of my clients this week was feeling intense sadness. She didn't want to feel sad. She grew up being the "cheerleader" at home. For years she overlooked the pain in her life because it was uncomfortable. Yet, years later, she still has layers of sadness that are still inside of her. I encouraged her to allow herself to feel the intensity of the sadness. I suggested that she sit with the intensity of the emotions and watch herself as she moved through it. I reminded her that if she didn't heal now, she would continue to cycle through patterns of sadness until she finally healed. I assured her that the painful emotions would transform with time.

Our pain is not bigger than us. It is small in comparison with the grandeur of our Spirits. Our pain can only overcome us when we think we are the pain -- and when we allow the pain to become our identity.

I offer you the suggestion this week to allow any dark emotions that you feel to come up for healing. Shine the light of love on these emotions. Understand and feel the emotions deeply. Know that you are a powerful, grand being! The emotions need not overcome you right now. Watch the emotions. Observe yourself as you feel them intensely.

Simply allow yourself the time for healing. Ask the Universe to assist you as you heal. Then, relax and let love be the salve that heals your inner wounds.

Inner brilliance comes when we release these layers of pain. We become new. We are more alive. Our inner light shines brilliantly to the World around us as we release the heavy energies and lighten up.

May your week be full of beautiful, effortless healing,

Patricia Omoqui

http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/

Harness Your Power: Move Beyond Labels

As I sit here writing this blog there is a heaviness I feel in my chest. Maybe you can relate to this feeling. Have you ever received news that made your heart sink? That’s what I experienced on Friday.

I received news on Friday – or should I say, I was given a label for the syndrome that is the root cause of the health issues that my oldest daughter Maggie has experienced since birth. It’s ironic to have received this label on Friday. On Thursday I was elated because Maggie was able to point out all the letters in a word. She did this as we were driving home from school. I honked the horn for her and cheered really loud in the car. She smiled and felt so proud of her accomplishment. I felt relief – maybe things are getting easier for her.

Fast forward 12 hours. The pediatrician calls with the results of some blood work. She proceeds to tell me that the blood work revealed an underlying genetic condition. We didn’t think the blood work would come back positive. But it did.

Over the course of the next 24 hours I grieved, processed, and began to wrap my arms around this label my daughter has been given. How could it be that hearing this label would change the way I see my daughter? How could I begin to worry about the future again just because we have a new word to describe Maggie’s experience?

I sit here not knowing what this label means. Of course, I read all there was to read on the Internet to get a base understanding of what it might mean. On Monday I will see a geneticist and get a better understanding of this label.

The most helpful thing my mom said to me was, “Trish, Maggie won’t be limited by a label. Maggie is here on her journey and the experience she has chosen is going to be beautiful. Remember the speech you delivered last year – you told the audience that Maggie is perfect just the way she is. That hasn’t changed. Nothing has changed. You must live in the present moment and open to the tremendous beauty that will come from this situation. You can do this. You did it once already when she was initially diagnosed. You can choose to see her beauty and see the magnificent possibilities in her life.”

I believe that the only limits we have are those we place upon ourselves. The only limits we experience are those we “buy into.” It’s clear to me today that the labels we use to describe ourselves and our roles in life can be highly limiting. What if instead of allowing ourselves to be defined by labels, we began to define the labels ourselves? Must we buy into what society tells us a label should mean?

I had initially written a blog for this week entitled, “Moment by Moment Choices.” I am writing the same blog but from a very different inner space. As I move through this situation and come to understand it more deeply, I see clearly that I have a moment by moment choice of what I focus my thoughts on. Will I focus on fear and limitation? Or, will I focus on joy and love?

In situations like this I return to the principles I teach my clients:

• Live in the moment.


• Open to the unlimited possibilities of what you can create with your life.


• Choose to release all fear and worry.


• Relax.


• Release the fear and the heaviness to the Universe.


• Lighten up.


• Soar through life.


• Enjoy each and every micro-second of life.

It’s so interesting how life circles around back to the same core issues and challenges. Five years ago I was faced with the same thoughts, feelings and fears. I celebrate the fact that I have grown tremendously the last few years.

I don’t believe in the word “disability.” What does that mean anyway? Just because there are people who are different than the “norm,” doesn’t mean that they are limited. We assume people who are different are limited. Those with different physical bodies and different mental capacities have the chance to create unique life journeys. Why do we choose to label these people and assume them to be something less or something strange? I believe that these Earth Angels are here to challenge us to open our eyes and interpret life in new ways.

Watch yourself this week. Notice how often you label yourself and limit yourself with labels. Notice how often you do this to other people. Watch how you react when you see someone with a physical challenge. Do you grimace? Do you feel uncomfortable? Choose to understand these feelings more deeply. Choose to open your mind and celebrate what is different and unique. Choose to celebrate the amazing life journey these individuals are on.

There is still a pressure in my chest and many tears that are ready to flow from my eyes. I choose to be authentic and real as I move through this situation with my daughter. Is this hard? Yes, it feels uncomfortable and tense. I have learned that when I embrace these challenges, I grow and expand in ways that I didn’t even know were possible. I welcome this pain. I invite it in. I feel it fully. I realize that the more human experiences I move through, the more people I am able to relate to.

Life’s difficulties are rich. Am I abundant? Yes. Am I blessed? Yes. Am I thankful for this experience with this new label? Yes.

May we move beyond our labels and define who we want to be.

With tears, pain, hope, joy, passion and deep care for anyone who is experiencing challenge in their life right now,

Your friend and coach,
Patricia Omoqui
http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/

Harness Your Power: Know Your Expanded Self

I have had profound realizations this week that I am excited to share with you. Of course, many profound realizations come from the process of healing our inner pains -- and that was the case for me. I share that only to remind you of the beauty of working through healing -- it is not optional in our soul's growth process.

Yesterday I was driving my children home from a friend's birthday party at Chuck-E-Cheese. The rain was pouring down and it was very windy. As we neared our home, the sun was shining very brightly WHILE it was raining! It was an incredible sight. In the moment I took in the beauty of the sunshine, it struck me --- it is possible to experience sunshine even in the midst of the rain. Of course it is -- yet when we are in the rain we so often forget that just behind the clouds above us is the sunshine. The sun is still there and if we can stay centered and connect with our expanded self, we can envision and feel the sun even during a storm.

Let me explain further about "The Expanded Self." I am beginning to understand at a deeper level that I am far greater than the dramas and story lines in my life. I am far bigger than the emotions that are triggered by the circumstances that I experience. When we come to terms with the greater, infinite, eternal part of ourselves, we begin to see that we can find peace and rise above our "ego self" or our "small self" and feel the powerful, expanded self that we each have.

As I thought more about this concept the story came to my mind of when Jesus calmed the waves during the storm when the disciples in the ship were so fearful. In the midst of a powerful, overwhelming storm, Jesus was at peace. He could see the greater reality of the situation. He was so connected to Source that he had the capacity to calm the waters.

As we face the storms in our lives, the dark, cold times that we feel, we can find a space of calm no matter what is happening. Do you believe this is possible? Have you ever connected, even momentarily, to this truth?

I find now that the painful times I experience in life don't have the sharp edges they used to. Instead, I notice the pain come up. I watch the pain. I face it. I love my pain -- and embrace it knowing that I am greater than, more eternal than any momentary struggle in my life. By understanding this, the movement through my personal pain is exciting, invigorating and full of seeds of possibility. For, as I peel back the pain, I uncover new parts of myself. I transform. I begin to KNOW without a doubt my connection to Source, the Universal energy that we all have within us.

One last thought I leave you with today -- I am preparing a speech called, "How to be the Earth Angel You Are!" I love this speech. . .and am expanding it to a workshop. I believe we are all Earth Angels. . but most of us have not yet opened up our wings. We are carrying the weight of the world on our shoulders -- guilt, worry, fear, self-doubt, pain -- and it is keeping us from recognizing the wings we have. As we release all of this inner pain from our ego, we can uncover our wings. Once we have found our wings and we begin to use them, even in the middle of a rain storm we can fly up above the clouds and touch the sun. . . we can be so light and free that even while it appears dark, we can see the light.

Release all that weighs you down this week. In times of Silence, begin to touch the eternal nature that you have. Feel how grand a moment of silence can feel. Know that you are far greater, far bigger, far more than your personality, your drama and your personal pain. You are POWER. Will you recognize it this week? Even if you can feel it for just one micro-second, you will touch something so wonderful that your heart will begin to remember its true identity.

Much love to my fellow Earth Angels,

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

P.S. there is still time to sign up for the four-week Circle of Abundance tele-group that starts this Thursday evening from 8:30 - 9:30 p.m. If you are struggling with your finances, afraid to sit down and pay your bills each month and want a new way to approach experiencing and creating abundance in your life, this circle is for you! Please drop me an email if you are interested at abundance@patriciaomoqui.com .

Enjoying the Discomfort of Growth

What struck me most this past week is that for some reason I have created several situations in my life that have caused me some discomfort – not in a painful way, but in a way that caused me to feel very unsure of myself again. As I watched this feeling of discomfort, I realized how beautiful it is because when we find ourselves uncomfortable in situations it means that we have tremendous opportunity to grow and expand who we are.

I started my hip-hop dance class 2 weeks ago. The first week I went I quickly realized that I had a lot to learn. I tried my best to keep up with the rest of the class and get the moves down. It was hard work to keep my mind from judging me harshly! I felt the thoughts come up like, “You can’t do this. You aren’t good at this. Why are you even trying to learn. . .” I quickly stopped those thoughts and brought myself back to the present moment. Once I was fully present, I just decided to throw myself completely into the dancing and not worry about how I compared to others around me.

I felt such joy in dancing and saw how much fun it is to learn something new again. It was exhilarating listening to the music and diving in head first to something that was new. The discomfort of the situation turned into pure bliss – because I was putting myself out there – I was deciding to do something that made me uncomfortable so that I could get the results that I wanted in my life. I have been passionate about dancing for years and I’m finally taking a class.

Today I sat doodling in my journal after an event I attended for the Book Bank Foundation in AZ. As I drew and scribbled on the page, the following phrases popped out of my subconscious mind:

In the center of the page I wrote in big letters: GROW!

Around the word GROW I doddled these ideas:

Dive in head first!

You are ready!

Love your Journey (all aspects of it even the seeming negative,difficult and challenging).

Allow life to flow to you – just expand yourself in faith for what is to come.

Have courage.

Trust yourself.

Trust the process of blooming.

Trust others to their own journey.

Trust the Universe.

Let love expand.

That says it all for where I’m at in my journey. I am living what I teach you in this blog. I am living what I speak about to audiences. I am living what I teach people in life coaching sessions. Because I am living what I teach, I am constantly growing. I can also relate to people I am working with because I am constantly encouraging them to take baby steps to become what they want to be. Well, I am taking baby steps and feeling the challenge of growing in new ways too.

It takes courage to grow and expand. Yet, the fun, excitement and passion that flows from having courage and trusting yourself to navigate new situations allows you to Harness Your Personal Power in ways you never thought possible.

If you are sitting in a very comfortable life that you can navigate with very little thought or effort, it might be time to try something new! What have you always wanted to try? Is there a class you have been saying you’d take for years? Are there relationships you’ve wanted to develop that you keep putting off? Is there a cause that you care about that you’ve been meaning to get involved in? Life is what we make it. Why not create something extraordinary?

It feels a bit uncomfortable to put yourself into the unknown but the payoffs are wonderful. I never want to live my life saying, “I wish I had… or I should have done…..”

My children enjoy every aspect of learning. They don’t care if they can’t do the dance moves like the other kids in their class – they haven’t yet been taught to worry about these things. Our habits of worry and self-judgment can be released. Let’s make learning and growing our habits instead.

I love my life. I finally love every aspect of my life. I believe this is true for me now because I’m expanding beyond my initial discomfort with the new activities, events, classes and people I’ve put into my life.

Harness Your Power this week – EXPAND YOUR HORIZONS. Don’t sit and wait for life to bring excitement to you – instead, create excitement each day by trying new things. You may feel some initial discomfort in trying something new, but you will be so glad you did.

I’d love to hear about the new things you try and that initial discomfort you experience. . .isn’t the human experience fascinating?

With love, enthusiasm, and wonder for life,

Trish

www.patriciaomoqui.com

Create Space for Personal Healing

As I work with Life Coaching clients I see clearly how essential it is to create space and time in our lives for personal healing. In the hustle and bustle of our lives it is easy to put aside our personal healing -- in fact, many of us deny the way we feel or push those feelings down deep within our hearts in order to keep up the frantic pace of our lives.

Until we clear time in our schedule and create opportunities for personal reflection and deep understanding of ourselves, those core issues and deep wounds manifest themselves in our lives time and time again. In my life, my personal pain would emerge when I was most tired or stressed out. It usually came in the form of tears or inner suffering where my heart would be crying out for change and for some relief to come into my life. But rather than stopping my life long enough to understand the depth of my pain, I would move even faster -- staying in constant motion to numb myself and make the pain go away (at least for a short time).

As you move through your week I would suggest that you take inventory of how you are using your time. For one full day keep a "Time Journal" that notes what you are doing throughout the day. By doing this, you will take yourself off of auto-pilot and be able to consciously observe the ways in which you are spending your time. In doing so, you may just find that there are "filler" activities or "busy-work" you are creating for yourself that could be set aside to create space for focus on nurturing and loving yourself.

Just as those of us who have been on a diet before take detailed watch over what we put into our mouths -- looking for opportunities to shift our eating habits to get different results in how our bodies appear, so too this focus on understanding how we use our time can give us the knowledge we need so that we can find the time to look at our emotions and understand why we are feeling the way we feel about our lives.


The life you are living right now is no mistake -- in fact, as you observe yourself you may begin to see how unaware you were that the deep hurt and pain you've carried with you is having a major impact on the results you get in your life. This week one of my life coaching clients realized that for years she had become the "YES" person -- she would say YES to every request for help from her friends and family. She was doing this on auto-pilot -- it had become a habit to say yes and take the responsibility to help anyone around her who needed it. She did this to her own detriment and kept herself so busy with taking care of others that she never fully healed from the trauma of losing her brother and from having grown up in very challenging circumstances. She got to a point recently of feeling so unhappy with herself and her life that she decided to stop saying YES all the time and instead make herself and her healing a priority.

This takes courage. It takes courage to recognize that a change is needed. It takes even more courage to see your personal pattern and the impact it is having on your life. And, it takes even greater courage to consciously stop those patterns and create the space and time needed to move through a period of deep personal healing. Her courage will pay off in tremendous blessings in her life.

Will you take the time in 2008 to begin to heal? Why not slow your life down a little bit so that you can begin the process of personal healing? As we heal ourselves and our lives, we impact the World around us in profound ways.

Because I slowed my life down enough to heal myself, I now have joy, peace and extra energy to use in doing things I love to do. On top of that, I am less stressed and much more in tune with my husband and my kids. My choices for personal healing and growth caused a major shift in the stress levels in our house. It gave me the renewed energy to clarify what I really wanted to create in my life. And now, as I continue to focus on my growth, I have more and more love to share with my clients, the audiences I speak with and each person I interact with throughout the day.

I continue to take time for personal nurturing and healing -- this is an on-going, life-long process of honoring myself. I do my best to build time for this into my weekly schedule so that stress, negative emotions and "dis-ease" about my life does not build up inside of me.

Facing our pain head on is scary. But, the consequences of not doing this means we will not have the power we need to live grand, passionate and loving lives in the way our Souls long for.

If you have questions or thoughts on this matter I would love to hear from you: thoughtdr@patriciaomoqui.com .

Healing is self-love.
Self-love is key
To bring
Satisfaction,
Hope,
Joy,
Inner Peace &
More Personal Power to
Your life.

With love, light and healing thoughts sent your way,


Trish
www.patriciaomoqui.com
p.s. Keep watch for our next free Tele-class in the Harness Your Power! series. Details will be sent out soon to those on the Food For Thought email list.



A couple of affirmations for those of you who are ready to take the time for healing:

"I open to healing at the deepest levels.

I move through my healing process with grace and ease.

I create the space I need for my healing.

I listen to my emotions and to my body.

I hear my inner voice guide me towards greater personal wellness.

I am whole. I am healed. I am full of inner peace.

I honor myself."