Harness Your Power: Listening...Renewed Focus

I've decided to renew my focus on listening.  I want to be more aware, more present to others.  I see that often the greatest gift I can offer another person is my full attention.  So, with clients, with my family members and with my children -- I am quieting my mind and opening my heart.  I am choosing to engage my listening.

So, in light of all this, I offer a few suggestions that I am practicing this week.


1. Commit to spending at least a minute or two each day in silence. Focus on your breath. Simply notice your mental chatter. Understand the vitality of each thought. You might want to look at them as prowling tigers and appreciate their strength and beauty as they parade across the screen of your mind. Try not to engage them. Simply let them pass. Return your focus to your breath. If you find yourself tempted to play with the tigers, you might be in for a tussle. That’s okay. It’s natural. Just smile and go back to breathing. First practice this silence on your own. Then, when you find yourself in conversation, practice silence again. Quiet your mind and choose to focus on the other person’s words. Let your own thoughts pass by.

2. Observe yourself while in conversation. Are you able to stay focused while someone is talking to you or does your mental activity take over? Just notice. Don’t judge yourself. Become aware of the opportunity you have to grow your listening skills. Set an intention: I desire to become an attentive listener.



3. To increase your self-awareness, do a daily listening review each evening. How many times did you truly listen? How many times were you bored or uneasy? How many times did your mind take over? If your mind took over, where did it go? Here are some possibilities: To your own activities? To the past? To a criticism of the other person? To self-defense? Let this practice of detached self-evaluation help you grow.

I have much practice to do on this topic...and I'm approaching it with a light heart and spirit of adventure.
 
Why not join me?
 
With love,
Patricia Omoqui, The Thought Dr.
http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/

Harness Your Power: From Judgment to Understanding

The last week I have been observing the hurt and pain that is caused when human beings judge one another. 

The woman being judged is one of the kindest, most accepting people I have met.  Yet, several people in her life have judged her as "inadequate" and "incapable" of achieving her dream.  They don't see the countless hours she is alone in her office working.  They don't know and can't see the growth she has experienced through life's difficulties the past few years.  All they see is that from their perspectitve, she hasn't "made progress" in the way they think she should.

Here is what the woman expressed to me, her words fuelled by anger and said in a frustrated shout, "I don't understand.  I could judge them too.  I could find all their faults and shortcomings.  But I don't do this.  I look for their best.  I know they can change in the areas of their lives where they aren't doing well.  I don't dictate their future by focusing on their past.  I listen to them when they speak and try to understand their concerns.  I offer encouragement rather than judgment.  Why can't they do this for me too?" 

So the story goes -- judgment creates misunderstanding causes pain and hurt, destroys relationships and in the end, does nothing good for anyone involved in the situation.

I sat last night and imagined the situation differently.

What if each person in the situation were willing to expand their point of view, to look at the good in each other?  Couldn't they actively seek to understand their differences of perception?  Wouldn't the variety of cultures and ideas that each person has bring a richness of creativity if they were all able to talk calmly and lovingly to one another?

I know this could be possible.  The key shift needed would be for each person to move from judgment to a desire to understand. 

Instead, there is silence right now from the hurt each person feels.

My suggestion this week is to notice if you are judging people in your life.  Who do you see as inadequate?  Who do you think just isn't doing well enough?  Who has shortcomings?  Write the names of the people that have come to mind down on paper. 

For each of the people you have listed, answer this question, "What good can I find in this person?  In what ways is this person a fantastic human being?"  Jot your answers down.  Notice that you can find good anywhere you choose to.  The focus you have is always a choice.

Let's create a world where we offer understanding rather than harsh judgment.
After all, isn't that what you desire to receive from others in your life.
Give to others that which you long to receive.

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

Harness Your Power: What Are You Weaving?

I am almost done the entire manuscript for my book, Clarify Your Purpose & Live It!  I'm sooooo very excited to be so close to sharing it with you.  I love the topic of life purpose.  I have come to realize that the main purpose for each of us is LOVE.  In that light, I wanted to share a few thoughts with you on weaving a legacy of love into the lives of others.  I trust these words will get you thinking deeply this week.

What are you weaving?


The ancient Greek politician and statesman Pericles said, “What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.”

So, what is it that you are weaving?

Take a close look at your interactions with others. I’d encourage you to answer each of these questions in writing.

Am I collaborating or competing?

Am I offering respect or discrimination?

Am I harmonizing or bickering?

Am I sharing or demanding?

Am I uplifting or criticizing?

Each of your thoughts, words and actions are the threads you weave.

Are you weaving something you are proud of? Is it that masterpiece you desire to be remembered for?

Each day is new and fresh. Each moment you have a choice of the impact you have on the people around you.

Embrace kindness, acceptance, compassion, understanding and giving and you are sure to make a tapestry that is splendid and leaves a lasting impression when your time on Earth is done!

Weaving a masterpiece with you,


Patricia Omoqui, The Thought Dr.

www.patriciaomoqui.com

Harness Your Power: Move through Intense Times

I will be honest and tell you that these days feel extremely intense.  Life feels unsettled.  Challenges seem larger than even a year ago.  I know I am not the only one experiencing this as many clients, friends and family members express this to me.



Here are a few affirmations and thoughts that I've been using that may be of help to you:

It is well.
All is well in THIS moment.
I give thanks for....(then I find any blessing no matter how tiny it appears to be to raise my energy.)
I am growing in compassion for others through these challenges.
I find ways to express love and understanding as often as possible.
My mind and heart are being stretched and expanded from these experiences.
I am prepared for the path ahead.
Every opportunity offers me tools and lessons if I choose to embrace them.

I am walking moment to moment...but then, isn't that the only way life happens.  We just think there is certainty ...but there is always the unexpected.  I choose to expect the best!

In a spirit of miracles and love and kindness,

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