Month: September 2023

Sunday, September 24

Today is Sunday, September 24, 2023. Fun times. The weather is getting cooler.

DGoV (Daily Gift of Vitality) Activity: As we head into the last 3 months of the year, consider using this time to expand self-awareness. End each day with 3 kinds of questions:

  1. Celebrate: What did I do that went well?
  2. Learn: What would I do differently next time? or Who helped me grow today?
  3. Appreciate: What/Who was the best part of my day?

A quote by William Schutz, “As my awareness increases, my control over my own being increases.”

Thank you to Nicole Siparsky, MD for sharing this photo, Ponderosa Pine, Waterton Lakes National Park, Canada.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Sunday, September 17

Today is Sunday, September 17, 2023. Reflecting back over the year, the trees are lush with leaves. Here in the Midwest, they are creating and storing energy, the tree are preparing for winter.

DGoV (Daily Gift of Vitality) Activity: Looking over the past week, if you began to implement a new habit or not, if you started or completed a project of importance to you, consider what you can be doing now, this fall, that would make you proud of yourself in the new year.

Consider creating some milestones along the way over the next 3 months to track and monitor your progress.

A quote by Eleanor Roosevelt, “It takes as much energy to wish as to plan.”

Thank you to Ish Consul for sharing this photo.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Sunday, September 10

Today is Sunday, September 10, 2023. The seasonal changes begin again. The cycle continues.

DGoV (Daily Gift of Vitality) Activity: Begin the process of building yourself up and to continue to get better in ways that matter to you.

  1. Think of a new habit that you would like to add to your life, for example, a movement routine on waking or a 5 minute self-reflection at the end of each day.
  2. Know why this would benefit you and write it down, “I [start my day with a smile of gratitude to the world and sun salutations when I wake up] so that [I am in control of my mind and body as I start my day with calm].
  3. Figure out how you will track it. This is your data. It should be easy, allow you to see your progress and it should allow you to feel good about it every time you engage with the habit and see the progress. For example, mark on your calendar each time you engaged with your new habit. Rate your overall mood or motivation for the day.  Or, it might be automatically tracked on a tracking device.
  4. Identify what you could do to make that desired habit fun. What would make it appealing to do? Maybe anticipation of a reward? Connecting with an accountability partner who boosts you? Seeing the streak or number of days on the calendar you achieved? Rating your mood for the day?
  5. Experiment this week with implementing your plan. Review the data as you go along.

A quote by Mark Twain, “The secret of making progress is to get started.”

Thank you to Nicole Siparsky, MD, for sharing this photo, Vermont Lake.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Sunday, September 3

Today is Sunday, September 3, 2023. The seasonal changes begin again. The cycle continues.

DGoV (Daily Gift of Vitality) Activity: Get outside into a space that brings you close to nature and beauty, where you can safely walk, ride, bike, or swim. Spend some time moving around in, and being a part of, Nature. Avoid headphones or obligations for the moment. Enjoy the solitude. Let your mind wander and be free to think about whatever you want.

A quote by Marcus Aurelius, “You have power over your mind- not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”

Thank you to Nicole Siparsky, MD, for sharing this photo, Lotus Flower.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP