Harness Your Power: Open to Magic

As a life coach I do something unique for my clients-- I provide them with a written summary of our conversations highlighting the key points we covered. I also uplift and encourage them by reflecting to them the progress I see them making on a week to week basis.

After I finished writing the following email to one of my clients, I felt an urge to share it with you. The confidentiality of my client is protected but these words could be helpful to all of us:

"Dear Friend,

I feel very inspired by watching your journey unfold. . . Know that every dream that you have can happen...and that your dreams will only grow more robust and beautiful as you expand as a person.

I challenge you to relax your mind and release your fears. Shift your thinking. Be in tune enough with yourself that when you feel stressed or worried you can STOP. Then, refocus your thoughts on what you WANT...on your dreams.

This time of transition is EXCITING. Yes, you are growing more courageous and each conversation you have during this transition is preparing you for the next chapter. Walk confidently, head held high with an inner knowing that you are at the perfect point on your journey...and understand that everything is on schedule!

Take time this week to write on paper the key things you'd like to feel and experience during this "transition" from one chapter to the next. By consciously creating in your mind and heart what you want to experience, you are more likely to create it.

Allow the magic of the Universe to work for you by not attaching to a particular way things will unfold. Just KNOW that each person, opportunity and all the support you need is flowing to you. Be peaceful. Take time for silence each day. Breathe deeply. Open to Divine wisdom...it flows and speaks all the time but very few people take the time to be aware and listen.

The key is to stay focused in the moment. By being mindful of each moment, you find the magic!

I am so proud of you!
And, I am so pleased to know you and have the chance to support you."

I trust these words comforted you today.

Open to magic. It is there for you. Watch. Listen. Be still. Feel the flow of life in you and all around you.

This journey is fantastic if you allow it to be!

Create all that you desire,

Patricia Omoqui

http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/

Harness Your Power: Step Forward In Faith

You know what you want to experience in life. In fact, opportunities present themselves. The Universe often sends us opportunities to see if we are willing, in faith, to step forward and seize the moment. "Are you REALLY read for what you want?" asks the Universe.

We can set wonderful intentions of what we want to create. We can believe it to be possible. But if we don't take the guided steps that the Universe whispers (sometimes even shouts) to us, we aren't really ready and fully prepared for the opportunities that present themselves in our lives.

Daily baby steps add up. We must be willing to step out in faith-- even when the bank account is low, the self-doubting thoughts still echo in one's mind and life feels dark. The choice we have is whether we will focus on what seem to be difficult circumstances or will we quiet our mind, and find the light within our hearts. This light shines brightly, especially when life feels particularly dark.

Do you trust? Will you surrender? Will you flow with life or will you worry? We have so many choices each moment of our lives.

Take time this week to observe the opportunities you have each day to step forward in faith towards your dreams. You can do it! Quiet the fears. Stop the self-doubt. Don't worry. You are supported as you move forward. Stay with this moment -- and don't jump to the future.

Deepening my faith,

Patricia Omoqui

http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/

Harness Your Power: Using Silence More

An insight that I gained this week is that silence is a powerful tool and it can be used in many ways, shapes and forms. Sitting in silence and meditating on a daily basis helps to calm the mind and connect to inner peace and wisdom. Silence can also be used more powerfully in our communication.

When we are in a conversation and don't know exactly how to respond, what do we often do? We talk and talk rather than just sitting quietly. Quiet moments feel awkward to us so we fill them with chit chat. What if instead we were simply quiet when we didn't have an answer to another person's accusation or question? Might it be possible that a few seconds of silence might allow for clarity and deep insight to emerge?

Many times as we express our truth to others we talk for long periods of time. Wouldn't it be more powerful if we expressed a need, want or opinion succinctly and then let a period of silence open up. Giving the other person in the conversation a moment to sit with what was just said and to gather their thoughts and give a response is a very powerful approach. Most of the time we will state our truth and then give a variety of reasons to support and defend what we are saying. More words actually create less power. A few words with silence following them creates a statement with deep impact.

Watch your patterns in communication this week. Notice how often you try to fill silent moments with words because of inner discomfort. Silent moments are beautiful and multi-dimensional. They are fantastic and significant once you get the hang of them.

I also am becoming aware of the power of silence in parenting. So often we react and give our children a piece of our minds. What if instead of lecturing we stated how we felt or what we wanted and then allowed for quiet? Or, what if as we saw a tantrum coming on, rather than trying to control it, we just sat quietly and watched it unfold before us. Silence in parenting can bring about dramatic shifts in dynamics.

I write all this because of my own new awareness. I share from my heart and give you ideas of ways that I am learning to approach situations. If your current approach isn't working, producing the peace, joy and hope you want to experience, why not try something new?

That's where I am at. I want to facilitate poignant, loving moments in all of my relationships.

May your week be filled with more silent moments and clarity,

Patricia Omoqui

http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/

Harness Your Power: Communicate Authentically

I was blessed this week to find a wonderful book at Barnes & Noble called Saying What's Real, by Dr. Susan Campbell. I was searching through the books in the relationship section and was guided to this one. The beauty of this book is that Dr. Campbell provides 7 ways to start sentences that get you to communicate more authentically with the people in your life. She also helps you understand at a deeper level the communication patterns you've developed.

I'll share a couple of these sentence starters with you so you can get a better feel for the book. "Hearing you say that, I feel...", or "I'm getting triggered by something you said (or did)...", or "I appreciate you for..." These sentence starters give us a way to begin to honestly express how we feel rather than using ineffective communication patterns or sitting silently and wondering (or suffering) because we have something to say but aren't saying it. She suggests that it is possible to deal with conflict and challenge in a relationship in present time rather than allowing it to build up over time.

I found this book particularly helpful right now. In my family growing up we were told not to express how we felt--especially in relation to my dad's emotional volatility. We walked on eggshells. I learned a pattern of silent suffering and living with tremendous inner conflict. It became normal to not say what I needed to say or express how I felt.

I have often repeated this pattern in my relationship. It's beautiful how clearly I see this now. I've been actively taking steps to change this pattern over the last few years. It has taken courage to begin speaking my truth and express my authentic self. I felt fear about how the other person would respond. With practice and time, I don't feel this sense of fear to the same extent. In fact, I'm getting to a point now where I can't help but tell people how I really feel because if I don't, I feel tremendous inner conflict.

I'd encourage you this week to think about your patterns of communication. Do you avoid conflict? Do you use repetitive responses with people rather than expressing how you really feel? Are you defensive? Do you even know how you feel anymore? Do you express it?

Pick up Saying What's Real this week if you feel it might support you. I'm half way through this book and it is an excellent resource.

Let's grow together in communicating our truth so we create a more harmonious, healed world.

A big hug,

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/

Harness Your Power: Let Go of What No Longer Suits You

I am going to ask you to ponder something very simple. Is there something, someone or some situation that you are holding onto because you are afraid of letting it go? Do you feel intuitively that it may be time for a change but find yourself holding back from moving towards it?

Take time this week to consider why you are afraid. Look at the fear. Look at the beliefs that hold you where you are.

I'm learning that I often tolerate situations even though I know I am capable of experiencing and creating something that can bring me greater happiness. My fear of letting go of what I'm used to is capable of keeping me from moving into the possibilities of something even better.

Just remember that beyond the storms of change comes a rainbow, a peace and a calm... and often brings brilliant possibilities.

Are you ready for taking your life to a whole new level of joy? If so, take a close look at what you are still holding onto that may no longer match where you are headed.

I'm learning these lessons right now at a very deep, personal level. As hard as it is to let go and choose to surrender to the miraculous newness the Universe can provide, it is worth it.

My desire is to expand myself and open to greater levels of inner peace, unconditional love and brilliant joy. To do so, I have found, means that I must let go of the old patterns and energy to make space for the new. In this grand adventure of life why would we choose to stay stuck and suffer? There is too much too experience and enjoy...so, let go of the old... you can do it!

With great love for you,

Patricia Omoqui

http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/

Harness Your Power: Tap Into Nature

I just finished a walk at a beautiful park in the area. I find it so refreshing to get outside and breathe fresh air. I feel thankful for the cool, gentle breeze coupled with the warm summer air. Being in nature has a way of lifting my spirit.

The past year I've used a technique as I walk to focus my mind and not allow it to wander to my to-do list or to worries. I spend at least 10 minutes while I walk creating positive affirmations about who I am as a person, what I create with my life and the impact I have on the World around me. I call this "Walking in Joy." It's fantastic what this little exercise can do. Even if I find my mood low to start my walk, by the time I've complete these affirmations I feel better.

If for some reason I'm unable to get into "affirmation mode," then instead I will do a "Focus on Gratitude." This is a bit simpler. I just begin to list anything and everything that I can be grateful for. This is a great technique to use while on the treadmill or in other locations such as -- in the car as you drive, as you lay in bed in the morning, while you take your shower, or as you drink your coffee.

I also use my nature walks as a way to hone my observation skills. Today, for instance, I tuned my ears into the crickets chirping, the corn husks brushing against each other and the birds singing. Such wonderful, melodious sounds there are! I also noticed the thump, thump, thump of my own footsteps as I walked along. I used my eyes to enjoy fluttering butterflies, soaring hawks, fluffy clouds, vibrant wildflowers, and last but not least a chubby groundhog.

Isn't life rich and amazing? When we are able to get out of the chitter-chatter of our minds and become more present with the wonders life has to offer us, we feel uplifted by the gifts of the Universe.

Take time this week to tap into nature. You don't need any money in your bank account to enjoy the vast resources the Universe makes available to you at no cost! It just takes a bit of effort on your part to move out of your comfort zone so you can go and experience more of the World around you.

In awe of life,
Patricia Omoqui
http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/