Tag: connection

Friday, November 12

Today is Friday, November 12, 2021. Unwinding while humming and organizing my bag.

A quote from Yakov Smirnoff, “Everybody laughs the same in every language because laughter is a universal connection.”

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.

Consider trying something new to increase connection with another.

    • Update your greeting or salutation in your emails to include something personal, a fun quote, some warmth or cheer.
    • Send a quick message to someone letting them know you are thinking of them.
    • Coordinate a gathering, in person or virtually, for people you work with or have class with, but may not see outside of work or school.
    • Invite someone for an outing – schedule nature time, go to a show, share a meal, sip tea or coffee.

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, 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 

Friday, October 15

Today is Friday, October 15, 2021. Using the middle of the month as a reminder to stop and see the beauty all around.

A quote from Aristotle, “In all things of nature, there is something of the marvelous.”

Photo by: Joey Huang

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.

Identify one thing that you can do that can improve your understanding of the world around you. For example:

    • In a moment of strong emotion, pause and reflect on what is causing that strong emotion within.
    • When someone has a different answer or makes a different decision than you would, be curious. Deepen your wisdom by asking “why?”
    • When you encounter a new experience, capture what you can learn from it.
    • Be touched by other people’s experiences by reading, observing, listening, and sharing.

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.
  • Continuing the belly breathing, scan your body for tense areas that you can release on each exhalation.
  • On each breath cycle, allow that area to release tension as you allow those areas to refresh.

*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 13

Today is Wednesday, October 13, 2021. Watching the migration of birds, appreciating the natural cycle of seasons.

A quote from Wendell Berry, “The earth is what we all have in common.”

Photo by: Jorge Bermudez

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.

Identify one thing that you can do that can comfort the mind. For example:

    • Experiment to find a guided meditation that works for you.
    • Schedule a regular time to pause for self-reflection: “How am I?”
    • Prioritize protecting 8-9+ hours every day that will be for sleep and rest.
    • Find opportunities each week to have a nature immersion, in person or with pictures and images.
    • Include times in the week when you can spend time with some being or some cause that recharges you.
    • Listen to familiar music that is either upbeat or relaxing to you.
    • Read optimistic authors or topics that are nourishing.

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.
  • Continuing the belly breathing, scan your body for tense areas that you can release on each exhalation.
  • On each breath cycle, allow that area to release tension as you allow those areas to refresh.

*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 4

Today is Monday, October 4, 2021. Seeing the plump squirrels since the crab apples have fallen. Fall decorations return.

A quote from Walt Whitman, “Do anything, but let it produce joy.”

Photo by: Natalia Wiklent

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.

    1. Reflect on a fun memory with someone you know and enjoy spending time with. It may be someone you work with, live with or even from school.
    2. Reach out, connect, send a note or message to that person, smile & reminisce together.
    3. Create a time in the near or distant future to meet up in person or virtually or even by phone just for fun.

Looking forward to fun with others helps now and in the future.

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.
  • Stretch out your fingers and wiggle them.
  • Reach your hands forward, curve your upper back, bringing your chin down to your chest to feel a stretch for a full breath.
  • Release your arms to dangle by your side, palms forward, lifting your chin up and complete another full breath cycle.
  • Release your shoulders and neck back to neutral and smile.

*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 1

Today is Friday, October 1, 2021. Embracing moments of recharge and focusing on appreciating the start of a new month.

A quote from Christine Caine, “Sometimes when you’re in a dark place you think you have been buried, but you’ve actually been planted.”

Photo by: Vladimir Fedotov

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.

    • Engage with individuals who see the world through lenses of optimism.
    • Imagine and focus on the potential positives in the future.
    • Make a list of everything you can look forward to in the future.
    • Spend time with a giggling child, uplifting friend or cheerful animal.
    • Contribute to a worthy cause knowing you can make a difference.
    • Plant some beautiful bulbs or flowering trees that may bloom in the spring.

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.
  • As you remain anchored to your breath, use your senses for a gratitude practice
      • Bring your mind to a sight you are grateful for.
      • Next, bring your mind to a scent you appreciate.
      • Now, think about sounds.
      • Move on to textures that soothe you.
  • Continue to stay anchored to your breath and smile with gratitude.

*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, September 17

Today is Friday, September 17, 2021. Holding hands. Present. Observing together.

A quote from Sally Ride, “Science is fun. Science is curiosity. We all have natural curiosity.”

Photos by: Susanna Chubinskaya, PhD

For many, September highlights the transitions of seasons and focus. When we approach transitions with curiosity, we have more options to find strength and joy.  Curiosity provides a great way to connect with others.

Get to know something new about someone you see often. This may be:

    • the name of the familiar person at the checkout counter,
    • your colleague’s favorite vacation,
    • a classmate’s favorite music or book,
    • your friend’s “perfect” day,
    • your family member’s proudest accomplishment.

You may even be curious about the “why” behind the answers.

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.

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.
  • Start every morning with a joke
  • Use that joke to anchor yourself during the day to stay connected to joy.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP