Harness Your Power: We Are All the Same

I'm sitting here this evening unwinding from the week.  I have CNN's Tribute, Hope for Haiti, playing in the background.  I've been sitting all week watching the images of destruction and suffering from Haiti.  In each woman, I see myself.  In each child, I see Maggie and Skye.  In each man, I see my husband and brother.  We are all the same.  We are so similar. 

Too often we want to label and categorize, to separate ourselves by nationality, by skin color, by language, by religion.  Beneath it all our humanity joins us, beckoning us to remember that we are love in our essence.  We long for connection.  We desire a better future.  We wish for success and hunger for a sense of purpose.

As you walk through this week the challenge I offer us is to see the similarity.  Don't judge.  Join with others.  See deeply into their eyes.  Sense the energy.  Notice the pain points.  Watch the joyful moments. 

In the words of American journalist, William Allen White, “If each man or woman could understand that every other human life is as full of sorrows, or joys, or base temptations, of heartaches and of remorse as his own . . . how much kinder, how much gentler he would be.”

May our spirits expand with compassion.  May our minds focus on peace.  May we seek to help one another and see the best in each other.

Could it be that our sole purpose here is to serve humanity?  Could it be that we are here for love not material gain?  Might it be that we are here to find a new paradigm of relating and joining with one another so that we decrease the suffering on our planet?

Consider these ideas.  Meditate upon them.  Look within and find what your purposeful part is....there is a specific reason you are here, a profound reason you are walking the planet.  I pray you come to see how important you are to the whole of Life.

With my deepest love, a heart that melts and overflows with compassion and a desire to serve others,

Patricia Omoqui, The Thought Dr.
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: Belief, Hope and Courage

What a momentous week this was for our country. Whether you supported Obama or McCain, it was truly amazing to watch this election unfold. We saw the seemingly impossible become possible. What allows for these types of things to happen? Three of the key elements that brings a vision to reality are belief, hope and courage.

I am challenging myself to stay focused on these words in the weeks to come. There are many visions in my heart. It is easy for me to fret and wonder how these grand ideas could become a reality. It all boils down to a moment-by-moment choice for me to make -- will I believe or will I doubt? Will I worry or will I be filled with hope? Will I give up or will I walk courageously forward into the unknown?

I can choose. I will choose. I am determined to choose -- to walk by faith, rather than by sight. I have seen miraculous changes in my life in 2008. Things that seemed impossible to me have come about. Opportunities I never could have dreamed of dropped out of thin air and landed in my lap. The miraculous is wonderful to experience. We are surrounded by miracles.

I've been taking the time to recognize my miracles no matter how big or how small. My body is healthy and strong. My daughter Maggie is doing fantastically well given the challenges she faces. Skye shows such spirit and excitement for life. My husband is supportive, caring and courageous. I appreciate every small pleasure from a cup of hot cocoa to a spontaneous hug from my daughters. I am blessed. I am so grateful for all that I have.

Could I choose fear right now? Sure, I could. I believe that suffering is totally overrated. Fear leads me into deep suffering. I know the familiar pattern all too well. To be quite honest, I am tired of fear. So, I've replaced it with belief, hope and courage.

Let's encourage one another this week to stay focused in positive, loving energy. We can do this. It is a choice. If you feel doubt creep into your heart, just stop. Take a deep breath. Then refocus. Remember that the Universe supports you in this amazingly rich journey of learning.

A big hug to each of you.

"Yes, We Can!"

Patricia Omoqui

http://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/