Monday, March 7

Today is Monday, March 7, 2022. Appreciating the first appearance of perennial plants and their gift of regeneration.

A quote by Amelia Earhart, “Never interrupt someone doing something you said couldn’t be done.”

Photo from Ronda Kimbrow

March is about opening up and fresh starts. This month, is about dreaming, planning, and setting up. Using gardening as analogy for living life, consider:

    • As we often do this time of year in preparing for our spring plantings, we share seeds with fellow gardeners. What else can we share with others?
    • What can I do now, that would enhance life in the next season?
    • Could I do something now, that will prepare for something even better then?

Use this Mindfulness Activity to Re-energize your Body and Mind whenever you need it – while waiting, before, after, or in between activities:

    • 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.
    • As you continue to breath, imagine a beautiful mountain. Envision all the details you can, how stable it is, how it is grounded in the earth, its strength.

Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:  

“I am [*Name*]. I can do this. As I connect to my vision, courage, strength, and wisdom, I am open to the Love 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 

Rush University   

http://www.DailyGiftOfVitality.com

Friday, March 4

Today is Friday, March 4, 2022. Happy to see the sun shining brightly.

A quote by Earl Nightingale, “Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.”

Photo from Nicole Siparsky, MD, Lake Michigan sunset in winter: reflections on snow covered sand dunes.

March is about opening up and fresh starts. This month, is about dreaming, planning and setting up. Using gardening as analogy for living life, consider:

    • What do you want to see blossoming in your life? (It may help to review your reflections and visualizations from January)
    • What do you want from your garden? Beautiful colors? Nourishment? Flavor enhancements? Appealing birds? Physical activity? Greenery? Learning?

Use this Mindfulness Activity to Re-energize your Body and Mind whenever you need it – while waiting, before, after, or in between activities:

    • 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.
    • Starting at your feet, on every inhale, stretch your body part. On every exhale, release.
    • Work your way up your body with every breath cycle until you finish with your eyebrows.
    • Smile if someone saw you stretching out your eyebrows. =)

Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:  

“I am [*Name*]. I can do this. As I connect to my vision, courage, strength, and wisdom, I am open to the Love 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 

Wednesday, March 2

Today is Wednesday, March 2, 2022. Beginning a month of seasonal transitions, looking for evidence of the changing seasons.

A quote by Wayne Dyer, “Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change.”

Photo from pure julia

March is about opening up and fresh starts. This month, is about dreaming, planning and setting up. We will use gardening as an analogy for living life. Begin with a self reflection:

    • How am I? How is my garden?
    • What am I starting with? What is left from last season? What is new or different from previous?
    • What is set up for the next season if I don’t do anything different?

Use this Mindfulness Activity to Re-energize your Body and Mind whenever you need it – while waiting, before, after, or in between activities:

    • 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.
    • Starting at your feet, on every inhale, stretch your body part. On every exhale, release.
    • Work your way up your body with every breath cycle until you finish with your eyebrows.
    • Smile if someone saw you stretching out your eyebrows. =)

Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:  

“I am [*Name*]. I can do this. As I connect to my vision, courage, strength, and wisdom, I am open to the Love 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 

Monday, February 28

Today is Monday, February 28, 2022. As the shortest month closes, seeing what repeats and what stays the same.

A quote by Mary Oliver, “Said the river: imagine everything you can imagine, then keep on going.”

Photo from Marc Zimmer

February is the month dedicated to Love.  Love is not only a feeling it is a verb, an action. Reflect on love and caring.

    • Who do you love? Who do you care for?
    • Who loves you? Who cares for you?
    • Who do you want to love? Who do you want to care for?
    • What makes love possible? What makes it possible to care for you, for another?
    • Consider allowing more connection to the opportunities for love and caring in your life.

Use this Mindfulness Activity to Re-energize your Body and Mind whenever you need it – while waiting, before, after, or in between activities:

    • 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.
    • Starting at your feet, on every inhale, stretch your body part. On every exhale, release.
    • Work your way up your body with every breath cycle until you finish with your eyebrows.
    • Smile if someone saw you stretching out your eyebrows. =)

Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:  

“I am [*Name*]. I can do this. As I connect to my vision, courage, strength, and wisdom, I am open to the Love 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 

Friday, February 25

Today is Friday, February 25, 2022. Looking around and seeing the beauty of natural change.

A quote by Sidney Poitier, “I am the me I choose to be.”

Photo from Marina Lavassa

February is the month dedicated to Love.  Love is not only a feeling it is a verb, an action. This week, reflect on how people communicate love and caring.

Gather a list of books, letters, poems, art, postcards, movies, TV shows, music, recordings, games, places, recipes that connect you with the harmony of love and caring. Tap into this nurturing reservoir -when you need it or during a free moment- to stay connected to that part of you that generates love.

Use this Mindfulness Activity to Re-energize your Body and Mind whenever you need it – while waiting, before, after, or in between activities:

    • 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.
    • With each breath, inhale positive energy and feel the abundance.
    • Focus on the warmth your body’s core is generating as you exhale and add to the universe of positive energy.

Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:  

“I am [*Name*]. I can do this. As I connect to my vision, courage, strength, and wisdom, I am open to the Love 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 

Wednesday, February 23

Today is Wednesday, February 23, 2022. Waking up to move my body.

A quote by Pema Chodron, “We already have everything we need.”

Photo from Zion Park in Utah, shared by Susan Chubinskaya, PhD

February is the month dedicated to Love.  Love is not only a feeling it is a verb, an action. This week, reflect on how people communicate love and caring. How do you know when someone feels loved and cared for?

    • They make eye contact and smile?
    • They express gratitude and appreciation?
    • They reciprocate an act of love and caring?
    • They make more time to be together?
    • They are calmer and more satisfied?
    • They are more centered and resilient?
    • They are more open and share more?
    • They thrive?

Use this Mindfulness Activity to Re-energize your Body and Mind whenever you need it – while waiting, before, after, or in between activities:

    • 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.
    • With each breath, inhale positive energy and feel the abundance.
    • Focus on the warmth your body’s core is generating as you exhale and add to the universe of positive energy.

Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:  

“I am [*Name*]. I can do this. As I connect to my vision, courage, strength, and wisdom, I am open to the Love 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 

Monday, February 21

Today is Monday, February 21, 2022. Noticing the contrasting colors outside.

A quote by Tom Allen, “Winter forms our character and brings out our best.”

Photo by Nicole Siparsky, MD, Sunset, Lake Michigan in winter

February is the month dedicated to Love.  Love is not only a feeling it is a verb, an action. This week, reflect on how people communicate love and caring. What works for you?

    • Taking time and listening to you?
    • Writing a letter, a story, a poem?
    • Preparing you a meal for your busiest time?
    • Sending a funny photo or text when you are apart?
    • Serenading or playing music for you?
    • Drawing or painting a picture for you?
    • Observing you and recognizing how to make something just a little bit easier?
    • Spending time together?

 Use this Mindfulness Activity to Re-energize your Body and Mind whenever you need it – while waiting, before, after, or in between activities:

    • 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.
    • With each breath, inhale positive energy and feel the abundance.
    • Focus on the warmth your body’s core is generating as you exhale and add to the universe of positive energy.

Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:  

“I am [*Name*]. I can do this. As I connect to my vision, courage, strength, and wisdom, I am open to the Love 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 

Friday, February 18

Today is Friday, February 18, 2022. Again, watching the clouds move through the sky; a new picture to see every day. 

A quote by Anamika Mishra, “Winter is not a season, it’s a celebration.”

Photo, Lake Michigan coast in winter, by Nicole Siparsky, MD

February is the month dedicated to Love.  Love is not only a feeling it is a verb, an action. This week, see the love and caring around you. 

    • Recognize when a colleague, classmate or coworker does something kind for another.
    • Notice the infinite ways humans demonstrate love and caring for one another- teaching, sharing, playing, listening, commiserating, cheering, recognizing, smiling, cleaning, cooking, creating, etc.
    • Acknowledge the intentions and demonstrations of love and caring towards you and allow yourself to relish in them.

Use this Mindfulness Activity to Re-energize your Body and Mind whenever you need it – while waiting, before, after, or in between activities:

    • 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.
    • Place one hand on your chest over your heart, place the other hand on your forehead or belly; whichever you prefer.
    • Breath in love.
    • Exhale unwanted feelings or emotions.
    • Smile at the love you give yourself 😊

Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:  

“I am [*Name*]. I can do this. As I connect to my vision, courage, strength, and wisdom, I am open to the Love 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 

Wednesday, February 16

Today is Wednesday, February 16, 2022. Watching the clouds move through the sky; a new picture to see every day. 

A quote by Mother Teresa.  “The smile is the beginning of Love.”

Photo by: Jon Farmer

February is the month dedicated to Love.  Love is not only a feeling it is a verb, an action. This week, see opportunities to expand the love and caring around you in ordinary activities. 

    • Let someone go ahead of you in the grocery store line.
    • In the parking lot, return someone’s grocery cart for them.
    • Look at the cashier or bagger and thank them.
    • If you see someone struggling to reach a product or lift something offer to help.
    • Let someone else take the closer parking space.

Use this Mindfulness Activity to Re-energize your Body and Mind whenever you need it – while waiting, before, after, or in between activities:

    • 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.
    • Place one hand on your chest over your heart, place the other hand on your forehead or belly; whichever you prefer.
    • Breath in love.
    • Exhale unwanted feelings or emotions.
    • Smile at the love you give yourself. 😊

Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:  

“I am [*Name*]. I can do this. As I connect to my vision, courage, strength, and wisdom, I am open to the Love 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 

Monday, February 14

Today is Monday, February 14, 2022. Starting the week focused on Love.

A quote by Maria Popova, “The longer I live, the more deeply I learn that love — whether we call it friendship or family or romance — is the work of mirroring and magnifying each other’s light.”

Photo by: Dylan Burrill

February is the month dedicated to Love.  Love is not only a feeling it is a verb, an action. This week, see the love and caring around you.  

    • Watch a baby gazing at a parent lovingly.
    • Witness a pet dog’s loving enthusiasm being together.
    • Notice friends interacting in ways that demonstrate their love and caring for each other.
    • Feel the warmth of someone genuinely smiling at you.
    • Recognize some kind gesture between strangers – holding the door, picking up the dropped item, letting you go first.

Use this Mindfulness Activity to Re-energize your Body and Mind whenever you need it – while waiting, before, after, or in between activities:

    • 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.
    • Place one hand on your chest over your heart, place the other hand on your forehead or belly; whichever you prefer.
    • Breath in love.
    • Exhale unwanted feelings or emotions.
    • Smile at the love you give yourself. 😊

Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:  

“I am [*Name*]. I can do this. As I connect to my vision, courage, strength, and wisdom, I am open to the Love 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