October 2021 – Daily Gift of Vitality

Friday, October 29

Today is Friday, October 29, 2021. Aware of the present temperature and accepting that it is changing.

A quote From James Baldwin, “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”

Photo by Susan Chubinskaya, PhD, Sunrise in Arabian Desert.

This October, the focus is on the integration of life experiences, staying equally connected to optimism, as to any other belief or attitude.

Optimism can be defined as cheerfulness or hopefulness about the future. Allowing time for optimism creates balance.

As the future is unknown, consider “If…,Then…” thoughts to be better prepared for the challenges.

- “If [something is not as I wanted/planned/expected], Then I will [what you can do to make the most of the situation].”
- “If [X] doesn’t happen, Then I will seek to learn what I need for it to be possible next time.”
- “If I miss my exercise time in the morning, Then I will add 5 minutes of deliberate extra activity right before the last meal of the day.”
- “If I feel stressed, Then I will belly breathe and journal for 5 minutes.”

Use this Mindfulness Activity to Re-energize your Body and Mind:

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 your inner glow.

1. Sit or stand comfortably. Laying down is fine too.
2. Focus on a central place on your body that feels like your core right now. It may be your chest, your belly or your pelvis.
3. Imagine a healing glowing light beginning centrally and spreading from that core to the rest of your body.
4. Imagine that glow clearing and healing all the parts of your body as it radiates out.
5. Smile to yourself and know that you can share that glow every time you smile at another.

*Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:

“I am [*Name*]. I am open to the positive energy around me. As I connect to my courage, strength, and wisdom, I am open to new ideas and change. I send loving kindness and compassion to all people including me. Together, we can do great things.”

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP

Wednesday, October 27

Today is Wednesday, October 27, 2021. Appreciating the symphony of fall sounds.

A quote from Kevin Ansbro, “Focus on an ocean of positives, not a puddle of negatives.”

Photo by Kevin Leavesley, Kennebunkport, Maine.

This October, the focus is on the integration of life experiences, staying equally connected to optimism, as to any other belief or attitude.

Optimism can be defined as cheerfulness or hopefulness about the future. Allowing time for optimism creates balance.

To help shift a negative mindset, work on reframing your “Can’t do” list into a “Can do” list.

Create a list of things you might think you cannot do. Next to each one, challenge yourself to reframe them into things you CAN do, expanding what’s possible for you.

Use this Mindfulness Activity to Re-energize your Body and Mind:

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 your inner glow.

1. Sit or stand comfortably. Laying down is fine too.
2. Focus on a central place on your body that feels like your core right now. It may be your chest, your belly or your pelvis.
3. Imagine a healing glowing light beginning centrally and spreading from that core to the rest of your body.
4. Imagine that glow clearing and healing all the parts of your body as it radiates out.
5. Smile to yourself and know that you can share that glow every time you smile at another.

*Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP

Monday, October 25

Today is Monday, October 25, 2021. Watching the falling leaves dance through their journey.

A quote from Lucy MacDonald. “It’s not that optimism solves all of life’s problems; it is just that it can sometimes make the difference between coping and collapsing.”

Photo by Kevin Leavesley, Lake Michigan

This October, the focus is on the integration of life experiences, staying equally connected to optimism, as to any other belief or attitude.

Optimism can be defined as cheerfulness or hopefulness about the future. Allowing time for optimism creates balance.

To help maintain an optimistic view, surround yourself with positive inputs.

- Stay connected with your favorite positive people: share lunch, virtual call, text, exchange letters.
- Create an upbeat music playlist.
- Relax with some cheerful literature.
- Enjoy a hopeful movie.

Use this Mindfulness Activity to Re-energize your Body and Mind:

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 your inner glow.

1. Sit or stand comfortably. Laying down is fine too.
2. Focus on a central place on your body that feels like your core right now. It may be your chest, your belly or your pelvis.
3. Imagine a healing glowing light beginning centrally and spreading from that core to the rest of your body.
4. Imagine that glow clearing and healing all the parts of your body as it radiates out.
5. Smile to yourself and know that you can share that glow every time you smile at another.

*Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP

Friday, October 22

Today is Friday, October 22, 2021. Pumpkins look relaxed, hanging out in the field.

A quote from Buddha, “Each morning, we are born again. What we do today is what matters most.”

Photo by: Dan Deziel, “October”

This October, the focus is on the integration of life experiences, staying equally connected to optimism, as to any other belief or attitude.

Optimism can be defined as cheerfulness or hopefulness about the future. Allowing time for optimism creates balance.

Spending time indulging creative joys can refresh the mood.

- Write a poem or lyrics to a song.
- Draw or paint with an open heart.
- Rearrange some furniture.
- Create a fresh wreath or flower arrangement.
- Invent a new spice combination and recipe.
- Choreograph new dance moves to favorite music.

Use this Mindfulness Activity to Re-energize your Body and Mind:

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.
Look up to the sky.
Let your mind relax into the awareness of the infinite open space.
If you wish, release your worries into the vast openness of the universe.

*Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP

Wednesday, October 20

Today is Wednesday, October 20, 2021. Watching the leaves fall to provide the soil warmth and nourishment.

A quote from Maya Angelou. “Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.”

Photo by Dan Deziel, “Fall Texture”

This October, the focus is on the integration of life experiences, staying equally connected to optimism, as to any other belief or attitude.

Optimism can be defined as cheerfulness or hopefulness about the future. Allowing time for optimism creates balance.

Spending time attending to physical needs can soothe the body.

- Enjoy a warm bowl of clear soup.
- Invigorate your body with a gentle rub of the skin on your body.
- Massage your muscles.
- Brush your hair slowly.
- Rock in a chair.
- Take a leisurely stroll- walking, or on wheels.
- Immerse your body in warm comfort in a bath, with a warm blanket, or snuggled with another.

Use this Mindfulness Activity to Re-energize your Body and Mind:

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.
Look up to the sky.
Let your mind relax into the awareness of the infinite open space.
If you wish, release your worries into the vast openness of the universe.

*Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP

Monday, October 18

Today is Monday, October 18, 2021. Feeling the warmth of the fall color palette.

A quote from Jimmy Dean. “I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.”

Photo by: Meric Dagli

This October, the focus is on the integration of life experiences, staying equally connected to optimism, as to any other belief or attitude.

Optimism can be defined as cheerfulness or hopefulness about the future. Allowing time for optimism creates balance.

Spending time helping others can create warm feelings.

- Get involved in a community project.
- Visit a homebound neighbor.
- Volunteer at an animal rescue.
- Rake a neighbors fall leaves

Use this Mindfulness Activity to Re-energize your Body and Mind:

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.
Look up to the sky.
Let your mind relax into the awareness of the infinite open space.
If you wish, release your worries into the vast openness of the universe.

*Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP

Friday, October 15

Today is Friday, October 15, 2021. Using the middle of the month as a reminder to stop and see the beauty all around.

A quote from Aristotle, “In all things of nature, there is something of the marvelous.”

Photo by: Joey Huang

This October, the focus is on the integration of life experiences, staying equally connected to optimism, as to any other belief or attitude.

Optimism can be defined as cheerfulness or hopefulness about the future. Allowing time for optimism creates balance.

Identify one thing that you can do that can improve your understanding of the world around you. For example:

- In a moment of strong emotion, pause and reflect on what is causing that strong emotion within.
- When someone has a different answer or makes a different decision than you would, be curious. Deepen your wisdom by asking “why?”
- When you encounter a new experience, capture what you can learn from it.
- Be touched by other people’s experiences by reading, observing, listening, and sharing.

Use this Mindfulness Activity to Re-energize your Body and Mind:

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.
Continuing the belly breathing, scan your body for tense areas that you can release on each exhalation.
On each breath cycle, allow that area to release tension as you allow those areas to refresh.

*Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP

Wednesday, October 13

Today is Wednesday, October 13, 2021. Watching the migration of birds, appreciating the natural cycle of seasons.

A quote from Wendell Berry, “The earth is what we all have in common.”

Photo by: Jorge Bermudez

This October, the focus is on the integration of life experiences, staying equally connected to optimism, as to any other belief or attitude.

Optimism can be defined as cheerfulness or hopefulness about the future. Allowing time for optimism creates balance.

Identify one thing that you can do that can comfort the mind. For example:

- Experiment to find a guided meditation that works for you.
- Schedule a regular time to pause for self-reflection: “How am I?”
- Prioritize protecting 8-9+ hours every day that will be for sleep and rest.
- Find opportunities each week to have a nature immersion, in person or with pictures and images.
- Include times in the week when you can spend time with some being or some cause that recharges you.
- Listen to familiar music that is either upbeat or relaxing to you.
- Read optimistic authors or topics that are nourishing.

Use this Mindfulness Activity to Re-energize your Body and Mind:

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.
Continuing the belly breathing, scan your body for tense areas that you can release on each exhalation.
On each breath cycle, allow that area to release tension as you allow those areas to refresh.

*Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP

Monday, October 11

Today is Monday, October 11, 2021. Walking along the quieter beach, the soft sand is cool and accommodating.

A quote from Gretel Erlich, “Everything in nature invites us constantly to be what we are.”

Photo by: Bertrand Borie

This October, the focus is on the integration of life experiences, staying equally connected to optimism, as to any other belief or attitude.

Optimism can be defined as cheerfulness or hopefulness about the future. Allowing time for optimism creates balance.

Identify one thing that you can do that can improve your physical comfort, more-so if repeated over time. For example:

- Add a quick neck and spine stretch routine when you spend longer periods of time seated.
- Adjust your access to workspace to promote a balanced posture.
- Use a soothing moisturizing lotion on your dry skin.
- Drink water to hydrate your body.
- Move your body in a way that feels comfortable to you.
- Experience water therapy by soaking in a tub, gliding in a pool or refreshing in a shower.

Use this Mindfulness Activity to Re-energize your Body and Mind:

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.
Continuing the belly breathing, scan your body for tense areas that you can release on each exhalation.
On each breath cycle, allow that area to release tension as you allow those areas to refresh.

*Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP

Friday, October 8

Today is Friday, October 8, 2021. Appreciating the photos taken to share a moment of beauty and awe with others.

A quote from Sylvia Plath, “I felt my lungs inflate with the onrush of scenery-air, mountains, tress, people. I thought, ‘this is what it is to be happy.’”

Photo by: Philip Jahn

This October, the focus is on the integration of life experiences, staying equally connected to optimism, as to any other belief or attitude.

Optimism can be defined as cheerfulness or hopefulness about the future. Allowing time for optimism creates balance.

Recharge with 10 minutes to write down everything and everyone you appreciate. Making this a routine will prime the mind to see the positives in each day.

Use this Mindfulness Activity to Re-energize your Body and Mind:

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.
Stretch out your fingers and wiggle them.
Reach your hands forward, curve your upper back, bringing your chin down to your chest to feel a stretch for a full breath.
Release your arms to dangle by your side, palms forward, lifting your chin up and complete another full breath cycle.
Release your shoulders and neck back to neutral and smile.

*Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP