Tag: aspiration

Sunday, January 14

Today is Sunday, January 14, 2024. Continuing on.

DGoV (Daily Gift of Vitality) Activity: Two weeks into the new year. Time for a mid-month review.

Staying true to yourself:

  • Remind yourself of your aspiration. Say it out loud.
  • Reflect: 2 weeks into the new year, are you making choices that align with your aspiration(s)?
  • Plan: What can you do by the end of the month that moves you in the direction of your aspiration. Make it clear to yourself what you can do and how you will know that you have achieved it.
  • Make it easier: As usual, writing it down will help focus your energy towards your aspiration(s) because it is more front-of-mind.  

Remember: While the course may change throughout the year, you can make progress by returning the focus to your aspirations for the year. Pull out a fresh calendar and every day that you state your intentions out loud, or take action towards your aspirations, give yourself a win and mark it on the calendar.  

A quote by Victoria Arlan, “The climb might be tough and challenging, but the view is worth it. There is a purpose for that pain; you just can’t always see it right away.”

Thank you to Nicole Siparsky, MD for sharing this photo, “Lysefjord Waterfall Norway.”

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Sunday, December 31

Today is Sunday, December 31, 2023. The last day of the year. A time to pause and reflect.

DGoV (Daily Gift of Vitality) Activity: This week, you get to start fresh. Reflect on what you have learned in the past year. Writing it down is helpful. Then turn the page to start your new year.

Set your aspirations, for the year. Remember to include the real reason this aspiration is important to you. This is about setting the course in the direction you’d like to go, big picture and remembering your why. Write everything down so you can return to it when you find yourself distracted or off track.

While the path forward may need to change throughout the year, you can continue to make progress by returning the focus to your aspirations for the year. Aspirations stay constant even when the goals and the path towards those goals may change due to changing circumstances.

Pull out a fresh calendar and every day that you state your intentions out loud, or take action towards your aspirations, give yourself a win and mark it on the calendar.  

A quote by Susan Sontag, “Pay attention. It’s all about paying attention. Attention is vitality. It connects you with others. It makes you eager. Stay eager.”

Thank you to Nicole Siparsky, MD for sharing this photo, “Sunset Lake Michigan in Winter.”

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Wednesday, June 22

Today is Wednesday, June 22, 2022.  Watching the birds playing in the trees.

A quote by Danielle LaPorte, “Joy is the most magnetic force in the universe.”

Photo by Nicole Siparsky, MD. Rainbow Falls, Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina (2022).

Finding Joy in June.  As we start the second half of the year let’s focus on ways we can find joy.

Practice seeing and appreciating progress for your efforts towards an aspiration or goal. This builds opportunities for experiencing joy. Examples:

    • Track the word count and watch it increase as you write something to share.
    • Mark on the calendar everyday that you take action towards your goal & relish the increasing number of days you are taking action.
    • Add a photo or other memento in a scrapbook of each mini-milestone.
    • Review your activity monitor and notice when you increase steps, distance, calories, speed, intensity, frequency of activity.
    • Appreciate every course assignment or project you complete towards a degree or certificate.
    • Celebrate every day that you stay true to your intentions.

Use 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:

    • 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.
    • Repeat positive affirmations throughout your day, while smiling:
      • My mind is peaceful.
      • I choose to act and react peacefully.
      • I illuminate peace around me.

Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:  

“I am [*Name*]. I can do this. 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 

Monday, January 4

Today is Monday, January 4, 2021. Gearing up for the first full week of the year. Wrapped in warmth on early morning walk. Peace and quiet inside and out.

An inspirational quote by Albert Einstein. “All I have a is a sense of duty toward all people and an attachment to those with whom I have become intimate.”

The Joy of January. This is a symbolic month to launch a new year to lay the foundation for a brighter future.  

Consider your stated aspiration(s) for the year. Allow yourself to make choices this week that align with your aspiration(s). Write down your goal(s) for the week to move you in the direction you want to go. Find opportunities to be true to yourself and your aspiration(s).

Photo by Aaron Burden

Use this Mindfulness Activity to calm 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.
    • Breathe in Energy & Generate vibrations.
      1. Take a deep breath in, feeling your lungs expand.
      2. When you breath out, smile and hum loudly. Feel the vibrations in your neck.
      3. Repeat 2 times and notice those vibrations rippling outward. Smile to yourself.

Recharge yourself and spread love when you repeat:    

“I am [*Name*]. I am doing what I can. I am aware of myself and others, and I belong to a global community. I love myself and others because I have kindness and love in my heart and soul. As I think about those I love and care for, I send loving kindness and compassion to all people. We are all connected. Together, we can do great things.”

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP