Wednesday, November 10

Today is Wednesday, November 10, 2021. Journaling to refocus the mind. Reset.

A quote from Kalpana Chawla, “The path from dreams to success does exist. May have the vision to find it, the courage to get on to it, and the perseverance to follow it.”

Photo by: Nicole Siparsky, MD

This November, it’s about novelty for personal growth and confidence, for opportunities to interact with new people, and for play.

Explore learning and thinking about new ideas.

    • Engage in open conversations with someone who has a different perspective than you. Seek to learn about their perspectives.
    • Read a biography of someone you admire or someone you know little about. Be curious about their life experiences that shaped them.
    • Take a course online or at a local college for the purpose of expanding your mind, learning something new and interesting. History and philosophy departments may be a novel starting place.
    • Engage in an art or music experiences that tap into creative minds and the various forms of expression. Notice what inspires 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.
  • Practice gently releasing the muscle tension in your neck.
      1. Gently roll your neck side to side, slowly. Repeat 3 times, each direction.
      2. Gently and slowly tilt your chin down and release your shoulders. Take 3 deep, slow breaths. Bring your chin to neutral.
      3. Roll your shoulders forwards and then backwards. Smile as you allow renewed energy.

*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 

Monday, November 8

Today is Monday, November 8, 2021. Fresh air during the morning stroll, setting up for the week.

A quote from Charles W. Eliot, “Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.”

Photo, “This morning,” by: Dan Deziel, MD

This November, it’s about novelty for personal growth and confidence, for opportunities to interact with new people, and for play.

Enjoy reading. Find a new book to dive into.

    • Reconnect with a library, in person or virtually. Explore a section to find an interesting new book to read.
    • Find a recommended reading list online or at a local bookstore and see if there’s one that interests you.
    • Consider starting a neighborhood or building lending library and exchange good books with neighbors.
    • Join or create a book club and discuss chosen readings with a group.
    • Keep a log of books you read with a one line summary and review what you are learning or engaged with over time.

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.   
  • Practice gently releasing the muscle tension in your neck.
      1. Gently roll your neck side to side, slowly. Repeat 3 times, each direction.
      2. Gently and slowly tilt your chin down and release your shoulders. Take 3 deep, slow breaths. Bring your chin to neutral.
      3. Roll your shoulders forwards and then backwards. Smile as you allow renewed energy.

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 

 

Friday, November 5

Today is Friday, November 5, 2021. Silence in the morning, ready for the sounds of the day.

A quote from Arthur Wing Pinero, “Where there’s tea there’s hope.”

Photo by: Nicole Siparsky, MD

This November, we focus on exploring Novel activities.  Experiencing novel activities fosters personal growth and confidence.  It can provide opportunities to interact with new people, and a time to get to know ourselves better.

Enjoy tea, made in a new way:

    • Trade favorite teas with a friend or neighbor.
    • Cold brew tea: Fill a pitcher of fresh water and add tea bags or loose tea and set it aside for up to 12 hours in the fridge. When ready to drink it, dilute it to the flavor level desired. Good hot or cold.
    • Milk tea: add any kind of milk with tea.
    • Chai tea latte: combine some or all of these spices to make a chai mix: cardamom and cinnamon +/- cloves/nutmeg. Steep with your favorite black tea. Heat any kind of milk and froth with a whisk, blender or frother (dairy, oat milk, coconut milk and soy milk froth the best).

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.
  • After taking 3 belly breaths reposition your body.
  • Now shake your entire body and say to yourself, “I am letting go of…”
  • Picture the thoughts falling off while shaking your body.
  • Take 3 more belly breaths and smile to yourself for your courage to let go.

*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, November 3

Today is Wednesday, November 3, 2021. Enjoying beauty in unexpected places.

A quote from Roger von Oech, “Everyone has a risk muscle.  You keep it in shape by trying new things. If you don’t, it atrophies. Make a point of using it at least once a day.”

Photo by: Fran Lee

This November, we focus on exploring Novel activities.  Experiencing novel activities fosters personal growth and confidence.  It can provide opportunities to interact with new people, and a time to get to know ourselves better.

Trying new workouts can invigorate your routine to continue to reach your fitness goals. These can be modified for your current abilities. Connect with a workout buddy.

    • Cardio drumming
    • Boxing
    • Yoga or Pilates
    • Dance
    • Rock climbing
    • Seated exercises

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.
  • After taking 3 belly breaths reposition your body.
  • Now shake your entire body and say to yourself, “I am letting go of…”
  • Picture the thoughts falling off while shaking your body.
  • Take 3 more belly breaths and smile to yourself for your courage to let go.

*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 

Monday, November 1

Today is Monday, November 1, 2021. Taking advantage of the cooler weather activities and the joy it brings.

A quote from Pablo Picasso, “I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it.”

Photo by Darryl Lee

This November, we focus on exploring Novel activities.  Experiencing novel activities fosters personal growth and confidence.  It can provide opportunities to interact with new people, and a time to get to know ourselves better.

Host a dance party for yourself or family and friends. Try different styles of dance; not only will you learn a new dance but your will hear new music. 🙂

      • Polka
      • Ballroom
      • HipHop
      • Tap
      • Swing

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.
  • After taking 3 belly breaths reposition your body.
  • Now shake your entire body and say to yourself, “I am letting go of…”
  • Picture the thoughts falling off while shaking your body.
  • Take 3 more belly breaths and smile to yourself for your courage to let go.

*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 

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:  

 “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 

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:  

 “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 

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:  

 “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 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:  

 “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