When Patricia O’Connor chose to move to Central New York State, she did so because it had all the qualities she wanted in a community. However, when she was meeting new people and exchanging pleasantries, they would often ask, “What brings you here?” When she told them that this area met all of her criteria for a place to put down roots, people would respond, “You chose to live here!?”

After several years of hearing this response, Patricia began to look at the Central New York area with a jaundiced eye. Eventually she joined the negative conversation about where she lived.

When Chuck Tomaselli, an architect in her area, asked if she were interested in being part of a grass roots movement aimed at transforming the conversation about living in Central New York, her negative feelings and comments flashed before her eyes. She quickly realized how she had become part of what she considered this region’s problems. She joined the new movement (Breakthrough Central New York), began to monitor her remarks and to rediscover the area. She became conscious again of why she had originally chosen this region and became happier and happier about where she was living.

Patricia also came to understand that speaking negatively about one’s community is not confined to any particular region. Through her coaching practice, which involves talking with people from all over the country, she has continually heard comments like, “Well, after all, this is Tucson,” or “What do you expect, this is Denver!” No, she realized, negativity was not exclusive to Central New York State. Hoping to transform her discoveries into a contribution to others, she decided to codify the process that has transformed her attitudes and her life. Fall In Love with Your Community is the result.

Patricia O’Connor has a private practice in Financial and Empowerment Coaching.
See www.financialcleansing.com and www.oconnorcoachingservices.com