Tag: centering

Friday, August 12

Today is Friday, August 12, 2022.  Appreciating the beauty in the simplicity of nature.

A quote by Henry David Thoreau, “Simplicity is the law of nature for men as well as for flowers.”

Photo by: T Schofield

This August is about simplifying to calm and restore inner peace.

Simplify your schedule:

  • Set your priorities
  • Pause before you respond to a request
  • Know your limits, it’s OK to say no
  • Meal prep
  • Have a regular sleep routine

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:

  • 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. 
  • Picture yourself in a relaxed state.  See yourself on your favorite walking path, a favorite vacation spot, sitting on a porch with a friend…
    • Smile to yourself.

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 

Friday, August 5

Today is Friday, August 5, 2022. Out the door, happy to start the day.

A quote by Emily Ley.  “A simplified life means that what has to get done will get done.  And when we pare down life to its simplest, most beautifully basic parts, we’re left with room to enjoy each other, to rest and to truly savor life with all our hearts minds and spirits.”

Photo by Harry Collins

This August is about simplifying to calm and restore inner peace.

Clear out some space. Choose a space you might be in regularly. Remove all the unnecessary items. Freshen the air. Make it pleasant to you. Ideas: the car, the desktop, the counter, the entrance way, your bedside table.

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:

    • 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.
    • For the next 5 breaths out, hum. Let the vibration settle your core even more. Smile.

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 

Wednesday, August 3

Today is Wednesday, August 3, 2022. It is warm out there.

A quote by Lao Tzu.  “Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.”

Photo by Sandy Millar

This August is about simplifying to calm and restore inner peace.

Find your easy-to-access “nature” space:

    • A picture of trees, flowers, water.
    • A beautiful potted plant.
    • A view of flowing water, trees swaying in the wind, ducks waddling.
    • A sound machine playing pleasant nature sounds.
    • A garden or walking trail.
    • A scenic driving route.

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:

    • 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.
    • For the next 5 breaths out, hum. Let the vibration settle your core even more. Smile.

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 

Friday, July 22

Today is Friday, July 22, 2022.  Finishing the week with a smile.

A quote by Zain Hashmi, “Happiness comes from helping others, by being with others, and by sharing, even if it’s only a smile.”

Photo by: Canetti

July is for sharing.  The act of sharing offers many health benefits.  When we give to others it has a positive effect on our brain.  Sharing allows us to connect more meaningfully and strengthens social connections.  Share joy:-) Examples:

    • Tell someone your favorite joke
    • Share a smile
    • Offer someone your full attention
    • Send someone a handwritten letter

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:

    • 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 peace and joy as your belly rises.
    • Breathe out the unwanted feelings as your stomach releases.

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 

Wednesday, July 20

Today is Wednesday, July 20, 2022. Spent last night, watching the fireflies sparkle in the evening sky. The sparkle still lingers.

A quote by Andrew Matthews, “Always speak well of yourself and consistently visualize your life working out as you want it.”

Photo by: tomertu

July is for sharing.  The act of sharing offers many health benefits.  When we give to others it has a positive effect on our brain.  Sharing allows us to connect more meaningfully and strengthens social connections.  Sharing your dreams and visions with others offers a chance to make the vision more believable to you, helps you clarify your vision, and build feelings of support for your vision.

    • Be open with friends, family, and colleagues about some or all of your vision
    • Host a party with the theme based on your vision
    • Journal about your vision
    • Visualize your vision in action

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:

    • 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 peace and joy as your belly rises.
    • Breathe out the unwanted feelings as your stomach releases.

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 

Friday, July 15

Today is Friday, July 15, 2022.  Noticing all the beautiful gardens, feeling connected to the earth.

A quote by Archbishop Desmond Tutu. “The fundamental law of human beings is interdependence.  A person is a person through other persons.”

Photo by: Fran Lee

July is for sharing.  The act of sharing offers many health benefits.  When we give to others it has a positive effect on our brain.  Sharing allows us to connect more meaningfully and strengthens social connections.  Share your time with your community.

    • Organize a park clean up
    • Donate books to a library
    • Donate your time or volunteer with a community organization
    • Walk a neighbor’s dog for them

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:

    • 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 tapping into loving energies:
      • Focus on channeling universal energies of love as you breathe in,
      • Focus on channeling the love you generate to others as you breathe out.

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 

Wednesday, July 13

Today is Wednesday, July 13, 2022.  The warmth of the summer, brings new energy to many.

A quote by Cesar Chavez “The people who give you their food, give you their heart.”

Photo by: Alex Raths

July is for sharing.  The act of sharing offers many health benefits.  When we give to others it has a positive effect on our brain.  Sharing allows us to connect more meaningfully and strengthens social connections.  Look for ways you can share healthy activities with others.

    • Join or organize a community walking group
    • Join or organize a healthy pot luck lunch at work
    • Commit to making more meals at home to share with family or friends
    • Volunteer at a Community Garden
    • Donate to a food pantry

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:

    • 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 tapping into loving energies:
      • Focus on channeling universal energies of love as you breathe in.
      • Focus on channeling the love you generate to others as you breathe out.

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 

Friday, July 1

Today is Friday, July 1, 2022.  Recognizing the sound of the cardinal singing cheerfully and finding the red bird in the branches.

A quote by Andre Pough Sr., “Just when you think you know exactly how it’s going, some unexpected possibility shows up and it begins to get even better.’

Photo by Jen DeVos

July is for sharing.  The act of sharing offers many health benefits.  When we give to others it has a positive effect on our brain.  Sharing allows us to connect more meaningfully and strengthens social connections.  For some, the first week of July is a holiday celebrated with friends and family.  For the beginning of July let’s explore ways to share our culture.

    • Consider researching your family tree
    • Reach out to a family “elder” to share their memories of the family or family history
    • Host/attend a family reunion
    • Take a trip to where your grandparents were born

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:

    • 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.
    • Thinking of your physical body as your home, where you reside, think of deep breathing as like opening the windows on a bright sunny day with a nice breeze.
    • Become aware of how every breath that fills your body is like having wide open windows, filling your home with fresh, clean air and every breath out clears out and releases so that your home is a refreshed space for you to be in.
    • Experience the happy moment of being in your clean, refreshed home.
    • Smile, knowing that you can take moments to open and be present in this space, anywhere you are. Your body is your home.

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 

Wednesday, June 29

Today is Wednesday, June 29, 2022.  The trees grow lush with sunshine, rain and all the in-betweens.

A quote by Hal Borland, “If you would know strength and patience, welcome the company of trees.”

Photo by Sa Oku

Finding Joy in June. Launching the second half of the year, we focus on ways we can find and create joy.

The middle of the week is a great time to try a day of “Appreciation Awareness” to create moments of shared joy out of appreciation. For one day, with every encounter with someone, pause, reflect and genuinely appreciate something and share it with that person.

    • “I appreciate having a moment to talk to you.”
    • “I appreciate your sharing with me.”
    • “Your art is inspiring.”
    • “I appreciate this sunny day.”
    • “At least we get to work together on this.”
    • “I appreciate how you have taken care of …”
    • “This class is fun!” “The [theatrical/musical] performance is moving.:
    • “I am glad we have each other. We are stronger together.”

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:

    • 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.
    • Thinking of your physical body as your home, where you reside, think of deep breathing as like opening the windows on a bright sunny day with a nice breeze.
    • Become aware of how every breath that fills your body is like having wide open windows, filling your home with fresh, clean air and every breath out clears out and releases so that your home is a refreshed space for you to be in.
    • Experience the happy moment of being in your clean, refreshed home.
    • Smile, knowing that you can take moments to open and be present in this space, anywhere you are. Your body is your home.

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 

Wednesday, June 15

Today is Wednesday, June 15, 2022.  Being open to seeing the beauty and joy in unexpected places.

A quote by Henri J.M. Nouwen “At every moment of our life we have an opportunity to choose joy.”

Photo by: ABGlavin

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

Organizing your home or workspace can help lower stress, clear your mind, and promote positive energy.

    • Donate old books and clothes to benefit others
    • Reduce electronic use to calm the number of brain inputs
    • Go through “old papers” and scan/file/toss
    • Organize your favorite photos and artwork in a pleasing display
    • Arrange your fashion accessories for easy access
    • Limit the number of piles in a single room
    • Put similar items together and eliminate any unnecessary excess

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.
    • Choose a centering word that is neutral to you and simple. You might choose “now” or “joy” or “peace.”
      • As you exhale, say your chosen word. Focus on the vibration of the word as you hear it. Repeat.
      • As you exhale and say your word, imagine dropping a smooth pebble in clear water and watch it settle gently on the bottom, relaxed and comfortable.
      • Finally, as you continue your deep belly breaths, notice that the ripples on the water are gently gliding out. Repeat your word on every exhale until the ripples have settled.

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