A Note of Encouragement for the Weary

Yes, I admit it.  I am exhausted.  My plate is rather full these days both personally and professionally.  I am making sure I getting enough sleep.  Yet, I just feel worn down. 

I have been observing myself, watching my thoughts very closely.  I have noticed that if I live one small moment at a time, I am fine.  I have discovered that if I begin to think a week, a month or a year into the future, I become tired.

The beauty of Life is that the only moment I need to live is RIGHT NOW. 

I live this moment, then the next, then the next. . . as I approach life this way, I am able to flow smoothly forward.  It becomes easier when I just take one step at a time rather than wondering and worrying over the next one hundred miles of the journey ahead.

I have been spending daily time at a nearby park.  Nature has a way of renewing me.  I have been sitting and walking amongst the grandest trees and dainty flowers.  Butterflies show up on my path as do birds of many shapes and sizes.  A brisk walk cleanses and uplifts my spirit.  I am in awe of the simple treasures and miracles life offers.

So today, I give thanks for where I am.  I am where I a meant to be.  I choose to relax into that knowing and rejoice at how far I have come and how much I have learned.

I say a prayer for each of us this week, that our minds will be calm and our spirits will be renewed.

Rest and meditate on these thought-provoking quotes as you begin a new week:

"The great opportunity is where you are. Do not despise your own place and hour. Every place is under the stars, every place is the center of the world." (John Burroughs)

"Don’t be afraid to give your best to what seemingly are small jobs. Every time you conquer one it makes you that much stronger. If you do the little jobs well, the big ones will tend to take care of themselves." (Dale Carnegie)

"Inside myself is a place where I live all alone, and that's where you renew your springs that never dry up." (Pearl S. Buck)

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

Harness Your Power: Revamp your morning and evening routines!

This week I will keep it simple and practical.  In working with my life coaching clients I have noticed that many have formed morning and evening routines that often aren't supportive of well-being.

When you wake up in the morning, what is the first thing that you do?  Do you turn on the TV, radio or computer?  Do you open the newspaper or Internet news and start getting "caught up"?  What do you think about first thing? 

Most of us get the day started by filling our mind with fearful, negative media content.  Or, we start the day worried about what is ahead of us.  Then, by the time we get in the car on our way to work, we already feel drained or even depressed.

There are other great morning routines you could design for yourself.  I'd recommend adding a few minutes of gratitude and deep breathing even before you get out of bed.  In the shower and as you get dressed, be mindful of the amazing body you have.  Experience the water, the smell of the soap, the various beauty products you use.  The morning routine is full of sensation and you could actually enjoy every moment of it if you were more aware.

Now, review your evening routine.  Do you fall asleep every night with the TV and the lights on?  Do you watch endless hours of reality TV or political news?  Just notice what you do without judgment.  See if there might be a happier, more peaceful way to close the day.  Could you make a list of your blessings?  Maybe a great book would relax your mind and open your heart.  Some soft classical music might soothe your spirit.  There are so many new possibilities to consider as you make the end of your day something that opens the door to restful sleep.

You have power to create positive, supportive daily routines.
How might you change yours up?

Keep in mind how short life is.  Just today I was talking to a friend.  Her co-worker was diagnosed with a brain tumor.  There were no warning signs.  And, he may not have long to live.  Enjoy today.  Cherish your time with family and friends.  Value the health you have. 

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

Harness Your Power: Get Some Rest!

I spent this weekend doing a lot of resting. (No, that's not me in this picture, it's my daughter Skye held in her daddy's hand.  She was only 7 days old).  I took a nice long nap followed by a longer than normal night's sleep.  I feel refreshed and refocused.  I stayed at home more than normal and did simple things with my kids like playing board games and hide-n-seek.  It felt good to BE more than DO.

Rest is essential to our physical, mental and emotional well-being.  Yet, so few of us get enough of it.  I admit I am guilty of this on a regular basis.

When you interact with people and ask them, "How are you doing?"  They often respond with the words, "I'm so busy."  It even can appear sometimes that people are competing with each other to see who is the busiest one among us.

For some reason we attach our value to being busy.  We have come to think that the busier we are, the more important we are.  I'd challenge you to question this notion.  All too often I've worked when I was tired and ended up getting very little done. 

I now know that if I rest first, I get far more done and have improved focus.

Listen to your body's signs this week -- do you feel exhausted, worn thin?  Do you feel on edge or cranky?  Are the tears flowing more than normal?  It might just be that what you need more than anything is a nice, long nap.

Get some rest.  I did and I feel much better.  I have extra zip to my step and a much clearer mind. 

Take good care of yourself.  You are so important!

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

Come hear me speak on Sunday, October 25th at 3 pm at the Mind, Body, Spirit Expo in Valley Forge, PA

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: Take Time for Refreshment

I spent time this week with my best friend, Carrie, who I met over 10 years ago. The Universe brought her and I together as friends through a friend I had at Princeton. His parents were missionaries on the island of Madeira (situated off the coast of Portugal). The three of us spent a summer together there helping his parents with camps and other work they were doing. It was a fun, intense learning experience. The most important thing I gained from the summer was a soul sister and life-long friend.

I had fun with her 2 year old daughter Keira. We went to the park together on a gorgeous, sunny day. When Carrie told Keira it was time to go home, Keira said, “No go home. Live in park.” She kept saying that over and over. It was so cute. It was so beautiful how Keira loved nature and felt connected to the animals, trees and sunshine.

Keira reminds me this week of getting back to the basics of enjoying the small wonders in nature. The night I arrived at their house Keira invited me outside to see a frog family that lived in the backyard. She was fascinated by the frogs. She also was excited by the beautiful fire her daddy built for Carrie and me to roast marshmallows and make S’mores. Keira was intrigued by the flames, amazed when the fire crackled. I regained a sense of wonder by observing her fascination with life.

Carrie and I sat in the dark after Keira was asleep. She lives in a small town in Connecticut full of apple orchards. It was wonderful to be under a starry sky listening to the noises of the night. I felt at peace in nature.

Earlier in the week I also had the privilege of visiting Rickets Glenn state park situated just outside of Scranton, PA. My mom was my guide as we hiked a trail to the most breathtaking waterfalls I’ve seen in years. She also introduced me to the Hemlock Temple, a virgin forest with trees hundreds of years old. We walked in total silence through this forest. I could feel my feet sink into the soft Earth beneath me. I felt so supported by the ground. We both felt intense energy, life pulsing in this forest.

Time in nature reinvigorates me. My energy tank had gotten really low the past few months with all the challenges I’ve been facing. I could sense myself close to empty so I finally listened to my body, mind and spirit beckoning me for a break.

I encourage each of you to take some sort of a break this week – even if that means ½ of a personal day to go to a local park or a few hours of “YOU” time where you can do something that boosts your energy. Why put this off? Why not purposefully schedule time for yourself ASAP. Your well-being is a priority!

After experiencing this week of refreshment I’m determined to schedule mini-breaks more often. I am a better mother and wife when I feel well. I’m more effective as a life coach, writer and speaker when my energy is high. It feels good to be in this space.

I beckon you to remember the importance of self-care. You won’t regret giving your body, mind and spirit what it needs.

With much love,
Patricia Omoqui
http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/

p.s. I think I may start living in the park like Keira suggested. It would be fun to make the slide my bed and use the water fountain to brush my teeth:)