Month: June 2020

Today is Saturday, June 20, 2020. Many oak trees are a result of acorns that were stored and forgotten by a squirrel.

Connecting with each other around the world, moments of reflection can allow us to recognize and share in the love and kindness around us.  You are part of a community that extends around the world, reading these daily anchoring messages, sharing in a simple routine that can be used to center us in our every day. Together, we get to add our love and kindness into the world around us.

Today’s Inspiration: A Quote from Mae West

 “I never said it would be easy, I only said it would be worth it.”

Here’s what you can do today, right now, during transitions, after absorbing the news or when going to sleep:  

• Straighten your spine. Roll your shoulders back and down, smile to yourself, & relax your jaw.
• Take slow deep belly breaths, allowing your stomach to rise with each breath in and relax with each breath out. You may find that each breath gets better and better. Allow your shoulders to relax on each exhale.
• Experience the 321 Activity.
  • Notice:
  • 3 things you can hear.
  • 2 things you can smell.
  • 1 thing you can feel.

Anchor yourself when you repeat:    

“I am [*Name*]. I am AMAZING and I am doing what I can to be helpful. I love myself because I have kindness and love in my heart and soul. I am part of the global community and we are working together towards solutions. We can do this. As I think about those I love and care for, I send loving kindness out to all people.”

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,    

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP   

 

Today is Thursday, June 18, 2020. In the northern hemisphere, June is the month with the longest daylight hours.

Connecting with each other around the world, moments of reflection can allow us to recognize and share in the love and kindness around us.  We share these daily anchoring messages across the globe to offer a simple routine that can be used to center us in order to create a better future for all.

Today’s Inspiration: A Quote from Pele

“The more difficult the victory, the greater the happiness in winning.”

Here’s what you can do today, right now, during transitions, after absorbing the news or when going to sleep:  

• Straighten your spine. Roll your shoulders back and down, smile to yourself, & relax your jaw.
• Take slow deep belly breaths, allowing your stomach to rise with each breath in and relax with each breath out. You may find that each breath gets better and better. Allow your shoulders to relax on each exhale.
• Try to STOP.
  1. S-stand up and breathe—feel your connection to the earth.
  2. T-tune into your body, notice any physical sensations you are experiencing.
  3. O-Observe something in the environment that is pleasant.
  4. P- What is Possible, what are the next steps moving forward.

Anchor yourself when you repeat:    

“I am [*Name*]. I am AMAZING and I am doing what I can to be helpful. I love myself because I have kindness and love in my heart and soul. I am part of the global community and we are working together towards solutions. We can do this. As I think about those I love and care for, I send loving kindness out to all people.”

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,    

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP   

 

 

 

Today is Wednesday, June 17, 2020. Now, this is getting your “ducks” (or geese, in this case) in a row.

Connecting with each other around the world, moments of reflection can allow us to recognize and share in the love and kindness around us.  We share these daily anchoring messages across the globe to offer a simple routine that can be used to center us in order to create a better future for all.

Today’s Inspiration: A Quote from Ronnie Lott

“If you can believe it, the mind can achieve it”

Here’s what you can do today, right now, during transitions, after absorbing the news or when going to sleep:  

• Straighten your spine. Roll your shoulders back and down, smile to yourself, & relax your jaw.
• Take slow deep belly breaths, allowing your stomach to rise with each breath in and relax with each breath out. You may find that each breath gets better and better. Allow your shoulders to relax on each exhale.
• Use your phone to cue you to take a breath break.

1. 1. Every time your phone rings or buzzes pause and take 3 belly breaths.
   2. Yes.

Anchor yourself when you repeat:    

“I am [*Name*]. I am AMAZING and I am doing what I can to be helpful. I love myself because I have kindness and love in my heart and soul. I am part of the global community and we are working together towards solutions. We can do this. As I think about those I love and care for, I send loving kindness out to all people.”

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,    

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP   

Today is Tuesday, June 16, 2020. Broccoli is actually considered a flower.

Connecting with each other around the world, moments of reflection can allow us to recognize and share in the love and kindness around us.  We share these daily anchoring messages across the globe to offer a simple routine that can be used to center us in order to create a better future for all.

Today’s Inspiration: A Quote from: Theodore Roethke

“Deep in their roots all flowers keep the light”

Here’s what you can do today, right now, during transitions, after absorbing the news or when going to sleep:  

• Straighten your spine. Roll your shoulders back and down, smile to yourself, & relax your jaw.
• Take slow deep belly breaths, allowing your stomach to rise with each breath in and relax with each breath out. You may find that each breath gets better and better. Allow your shoulders to relax on each exhale.
• Choose a color, maybe choose yellow, observe yellow everywhere in your environment.
  1. Every day of this week choose a different color.
  2. Notice it in your surroundings.
  3. Appreciate the brilliance of color all around us.

Anchor yourself when you repeat:    

“I am [*Name*]. I am AMAZING and I am doing what I can to be helpful. I love myself because I have kindness and love in my heart and soul. I am part of the global community and we are working together towards solutions. We can do this. As I think about those I love and care for, I send loving kindness out to all people.”

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,    

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP   

Today is Monday, June 15, 2020. The water sparkles and reflects the sky. The wind creates ripples across the water.

Connecting with each other around the world, moments of reflection can allow us to recognize and share in the love and kindness around us.  We share these daily anchoring messages across the globe to offer a simple routine that can be used to center us in order to create a better future for all.

Today’s Inspiration: A Quote from Leo Tolstoy

“Only people who are capable of loving strongly can also suffer great sorrow, but this same necessity of loving serves to counteract their grief and heals them.”

All photos by Dan Deziel. (Above, Wood Flowers. Below left, Cloud Swirl. Below right, Calm After a Squall.)

Here’s what you can do today, right now, during transitions, after absorbing the news or when going to sleep:  

• Straighten your spine. Roll your shoulders back and down, smile to yourself, & relax your jaw.
• Take slow deep belly breaths, allowing your stomach to rise with each breath in and relax with each breath out. You may find that each breath gets better and better. Allow your shoulders to relax on each exhale.
• Activate your muscles:

• 1. Pushing – Do push-ups against a wall, counter top or on the ground. Repeat 5-10 times.
  2. Pulling – Grab imaginary resistance bands in front of you and pull your elbows all the way back to squeeze your shoulder blades behind you. Repeat at 5-10 times.
  3. Gently bend and straighten your knees as much or as little as is comfortable. Repeat 5-10 times.

Anchor yourself when you repeat:    

“I am [*Name*]. I am doing what I can to be helpful. I love myself because I have kindness and love in my heart and soul. I am part of the global community and we are working together towards solutions. We can do this. As I think about those I love and care for, I send loving kindness out to all people.”

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,    

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP   

 

 

 

Today is Sunday, June 14, 2020. The squirrels jump from tree to tree exploring the fresh leaves.

Connecting with each other around the world, moments of reflection can allow us to recognize and share in the love and kindness around us.  We share these daily anchoring messages across the globe to offer a simple routine that can be used to center us in order to create a better future for all.

Today’s Inspiration: A Quote from Albert Einstein

“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.”

Here’s what you can do today, right now, during transitions, after absorbing the news or when going to sleep:  

• Straighten your spine. Roll your shoulders back and down, smile to yourself, & relax your jaw.
• Take slow deep belly breaths, allowing your stomach to rise with each breath in and relax with each breath out. You may find that each breath gets better and better. Allow your shoulders to relax on each exhale.
• See the big picture.
  1. Move to a window or place you can see as far away as possible. Focus your eyes far away.
  2. Notice the details in your view. Notice what is moving and what is still.
  3. Look for all the green. Then look for all the blue. Look at each color in turn.

Anchor yourself when you repeat:    

“I am [*Name*]. I am doing what I can to be helpful. I love myself because I have kindness and love in my heart and soul. I am part of the global community and we are working together towards solutions. We can do this. As I think about those I love and care for, I send loving kindness out to all people.”

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,    

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP   

 

Today is Saturday, June 13, 2020. The ducks have so much to say to each other as they paddle around together.

Connecting with each other around the world, moments of reflection can allow us to see beauty and recognize and share in the love and kindness around us.  We share these daily anchoring messages across the globe to offer a simple routine that can be used to center us in order to create a better future for all.

Today’s Inspiration: A Quote from Anais Nin

“Music melts all the separate parts of our bodies together.”

Photos by Dan Deziel, “Dawn at Dusk”

Here’s what you can do today, right now, during transitions, after absorbing the news or when going to sleep:  

• Straighten your spine. Roll your shoulders back and down, smile to yourself, & relax your jaw.
• Take slow deep belly breaths, allowing your stomach to rise with each breath in and relax with each breath out. You may find that each breath gets better and better. Allow your shoulders to relax on each exhale.
• Hum
• 1. Hum a very low-pitched sound (or say “om”) repeatedly, at a slow steady state.
  2. Feel the vibration rumble in your chest. Notice where it starts and where it spreads out.
  3. Slow the speed down even further. Smile.

Anchor yourself with this daily statement:    

“I am [*Name*]. I am doing what I can to be helpful. I love myself because I have kindness and love in my heart and soul. I am part of the global community and we are working together towards solutions. We can do this. As I think about those I love and care for, I send loving kindness out to all people.”

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,    

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP  

 

Today is Friday, June 12, 2020. The sun baked the earth, and the rain cooled it off. The rainbow visited.

Reflecting mindfully, connecting and sharing experiences together, we can be a part of the love and kindness surrounding us.  We share these daily anchoring messages across the globe to offer a simple daily routine that can be used to center us in order to create a better future for all.

Today’s Inspiration: A Quote from Erin Morgenstern

“You may tell a tale that takes up residence in someone’s soul, becomes their blood and self and purpose. That tale will move them and drive them and who knows that they might do because of it, because of your words. That is your role, your gift.”

Photos by Katherine Puckett, PhD

Here’s what you can do today, right now, during transitions, after absorbing the news or when going to sleep:  

• Straighten your spine. Roll your shoulders back and down, smile to yourself, & relax your jaw.
• Take slow deep belly breaths, allowing your stomach to rise with each breath in and relax with each breath out. You may find that each breath gets better and better. Allow your shoulders to relax on each exhale.
• Reveal your mind.
  1. Grab a piece of paper and colorful pens, markers, crayons, paints, whatever.
  2. Draw or write whatever needs to be expressed. Be free and use however many colors you want.
  3. Feel the sensation of your hand connecting with your movements and the friction of the paper against the pens, markers, crayons, paints, whatever.

Anchor yourself with this daily statement:    

“I am [*Name*]. I am doing what I can to be helpful. I love myself because I have kindness and love in my heart and soul. I am part of the global community and we are all working together to get through this. This is temporary. We are doing this. As I think about those I love and care for, I send loving kindness out to all people.”

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,    

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP   

 

Today is Thursday, June 11, 2020. Many flowers are in full bloom and share their fragrance with us.

Connecting with each other around the world, moments of reflection can allow us to recognize and share in the love and kindness around us.  We share these daily anchoring messages across the globe to offer a simple routine that can be used to center us in order to create a better future for all.

Today’s Inspiration: A Quote from Brene Brown:

“Imperfections are not inadequacies; they are reminders that we’re all in this together.”

 Photos today by Jose Velasco, MD

Here’s what you can do today, right now, during transitions, after absorbing the news or when going to sleep:  

• Roll your shoulders back, smile to yourself, & relax your jaw.
• Take slow deep belly breaths, allowing your stomach to rise with each breath in and relax with each breath out. You may find that each breath gets better and better. Allow your shoulders to relax on each exhale.
• Reach out to one of your elders.
  1. Ask them to share a memory of a special moment in their life with you
  2. Reflect on their experience.

Anchor yourself with this daily statement:    

“I am [*Name*]. I am doing what I can to be helpful. I love myself because I have kindness and love in my heart and soul. I am part of the global community and we are all working together to get through this. This is temporary. We are doing this. As I think about those I love and care for, I send loving kindness out to all people.”

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,    

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP