Monday, December 12

Today is Monday, December 12, 2022. Finding the “missing” cinnamon that was absentmindedly placed in the fridge.

A quote by Denis Waitley, “Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.”

Photo by: Jonny Gios

December marks the end of another year. This is a time for reflection, appreciation, and grace. Consider the routine ways that you care for your physical body: brushing your teeth, dressing for the weather, stretching and moving your body, protecting your skin, choosing health-promoting foods, staying hydrated, getting enough sleep, and so on.

Are some routines more easily disrupted, and sometimes hard to get restarted? Practice acknowledging those times of disruption with grace towards yourself and make it easier to resume your self-care routines when the time is right.

Practice this Mindfulness Activity to Re-energize your Body and Mind whenever you need a moment to reset – while waiting, before, after, or to transition between activities.

Establishing a regular practice of pausing makes it easier to reset when you need it the most. You can start your practice at any time, even now.

• 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 an Affirmation meditation:

• Find a comfortable position in bed, 
• Repeat your affirmation: My body is calm, my mind is at ease, I breathe in goodness, I exhale peace [or choose your own affirmation].

Recharge yourself, tap into your strength and share positive energy when you repeat:  

“I am [*Name*]. I can do this. This is temporary. I have successfully handled difficult challenges in the past. As I connect to my inner self, I am open to the Happiness and positive energy around me. 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