Tag: curiosity

Wednesday, September 15

Today is Wednesday, September 15, 2021. Watching the birds fly, wondering where they are going?

A quote from Arthur Aufderheide, “All knowledge is connected to all other knowledge. The fun is in making the connections.”

Photo by: Jeremy Bezanger

For many, September highlights the transitions of seasons and focus.

So, let’s be curious about being curious. When we approach transitions with curiosity, we have more options to find strength and joy.  Curiosity provides us a chance to grow and learn.  We can use a curiosity journal to explore new ideas.  Use the prompts in your curiosity journal.

    • I wish I knew more about…
    • I’d like to be really good at…
    • I’m fascinated when…

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 

Friday, September 3

Today is Friday, September 3, 2021.  Watching the changing colors of the sky, the reflections rippling, the swans together.  

A quote from Parker Palmer, “Self-care in never a selfish act – it is simply good stewardship of the only gift I have, the gift I was put on earth to offer to others.”

Photo by: Susanna Chubinskaya, PhD

For many, September highlights the transitions of seasons and focus. Embracing transitions with curiosity opens the door to the possibility that we can find strength and joy from transitions.

We explore ways to navigate transitions. Today is about Self-care. The September 1st post aimed to cultivate a Self-awareness including what helps make change or transitions easier.

    • Now, make a list of things you can do that you really enjoy, that you can look forward to or that makes you feel pampered and cared for.
    • Come back to the list often and keep adding to it until it is the longest personalized self-care list.
    • Review the list periodically and include self-care items in your schedule. (Hint: During transition times, you may need to include more items more often.)

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.
  • With each breath cycle, connect with your kind heart and set your intention to be kind to yourself.
  • Periodically, during your day pause take 3 belly breaths and connect to your intention.
  • Smile inwardly to yourself.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Friday, April 23

Today is Friday, April 23, 2021. Enjoying the seasonal transition, the birds are out and about chatting with each other.

Ascending through April. Being curious keeps the mind open to new possibilities.  Ways to foster curiosity include:

    • Ask lots of questions.
    • Avoid taking things for granted.
    • Be willing to be wrong.
    • Practice empathy to connect with others.
    • Read something new.

Photo by: Fran Lee

Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat: 

“I am [*Name*].  I am open to the positive energy around me. I appreciate myself and others as I connect with love and kindness. As I think about those I love and care for, I send loving kindness and compassion to all people including me. We share our humaneness. Together, we can do great things.”

A quote by Napoleon Hill “Cherish your visions and your dreams, as they are the children of your soul, the blueprints of your ultimate achievements.”

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.
    • Bring your focus to your hands and release the muscles in your hands.
    • Next, bringing your hands together, gently squeeze each fingertip, one by one, until you have connected with each finger.
    • Being present, smile to yourself.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Friday, April 16

Today is Friday, April 16, 2021. Another weekend to refresh. Energized by all the new greenery.

Ascending through April. Personal growth can be fun, consider learning or incorporating a new hobby:

    • Gardening
    • Photography
    • Cooking
    • Kite flying
    • Riding a bike
    • Scrapbooking
    • Writing poetry
    • Woodworking
    • Music immersion

Photo by: Agnieszka Ziomek

Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat: 

“I am [*Name*].  I am open to the positive energy around me. I appreciate myself and others as I connect with love and kindness. As I think about those I love and care for, I send loving kindness and compassion to all people including me. We share our humaneness. Together, we can do great things.”

A quote by Robin Sharma. “The swiftest way to triple your success is to double your investment in personal development.”

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.
    • Breathe in and out deeply, calm your mind and say, “Calm mind.”
    • Breathe in and out deeply, let tension flow out your arms and say, “Peaceful body.”
    • Breathe in and out deeply, radiate kindness and say, “Kind heart.”
    • Smile and go forward.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Wednesday, April 14

Today is Wednesday, April 14, 2021. Midweek pause, listening to the loud ducks, appreciating the bright spring flowers. Aah.

Ascending through April. Schedule time for self-reflection, to raise personal awareness and connect with yourself, a Refresh.

Practice Self Reflection and Refresh through journaling.  Consider the following prompts.

    • What went well today, what didn’t go well today?
    • What negative mindsets can I let go of?
    • What are my strengths for achieving my dreams?

Photo by: Fran Lee

Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat: 

“I am [*Name*].  I am open to the positive energy around me. I appreciate myself and others as I connect with love and kindness. As I think about those I love and care for, I send loving kindness and compassion to all people including me. We share our humaneness. Together, we can do great things.”

A quote by Thich Nhat Hanh, ”Choose to be in touch with what is wonderful, refreshing, and healing within yourself and around 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.   
    • Breathe in and out deeply, calm your mind and say, “Calm mind.”
    • Breathe in and out deeply, let tension flow out your arms and say, “Peaceful body.”
    • Breathe in and out deeply, radiate kindness and say, “Kind heart.”
    • Smile and go forward.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Monday, April 12

Today is Monday, April 12, 2021. Wondering whether to drink tea or coffee. Starting the week with an open heart and open mind.

Ascending through April. Practicing Creative Visualization to move towards your dreams and aspirations and goals.

Creative Visualization

    • Choose your aspiration or goal, maybe you want to win a running race, a job promotion, a new garden.
    • Create a clear picture in your mind—see yourself winning the race, see yourself reading the job offer, see yourself feeling happy after achieving your goal.
    • Focus on it regularly—think about your aspiration often, in a loving and compassionate manner, avoiding judgement.
    • Send it positive energy.

Photo by: Fran Lee

Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat: 

“I am [*Name*].  I am open to the positive energy around me. I appreciate myself and others as I connect with love and kindness. As I think about those I love and care for, I send loving kindness and compassion to all people including me. We share our humaneness. Together, we can do great things.”

A quote by Buddha. “Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship.”

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.
    • Breathe in and out deeply, calm your mind and say, “Calm mind.”
    • Breathe in and out deeply, let tension flow out your arms and say, “Peaceful body.”
    • Breathe in and out deeply, radiate kindness and say, “Kind heart.”
    • Smile and go forward.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Friday, April 9

Today is Friday, April 9, 2021. The trees are filled with budding leaves waiting to bloom. Some have flowers.

Ascending through April. Practicing Meditation to raise awareness and connect with those around us and the environment.

    • Explore a Focus Meditation.
    • Select an object to focus on perhaps a flower, a vase, a candle, a crack in the sidewalk.
    • Pay attention to all the details: fine lines, sounds, scents, textures.

Photo by: Fran Lee

Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat: 

“I am [*Name*].  I am open to the positive energy around me. I appreciate myself and others as I connect with love and kindness. As I think about those I love and care for, I send loving kindness and compassion to all people including me. We share our humaneness. Together, we can do great things.”

A quote by Eric Butterworth, “Don’t go through life, grow through life.”

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 Box Breathing
        • Inhale for the count of 4.
        • Hold your breath for the count of 4.
        • Exhale for the count of 4.
        • Hold your breath for the count of 4.
        • Repeat

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Wednesday, April 7

Today is Wednesday, April 7, 2021. Old and new plants combine to create beauty for others.

Ascending through April. Practicing Meditation to raise awareness and connect with those around us and the environment.

    • Allow time to listen to music without words. Pick a new artist or genre, choose a classic or something new, or a known favorite.
    • Listen to all the instruments, tones, tempo and how they affect you.
    • Make a note of what brings out the feelings you enjoy.

Photo by: Artur D.

Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat: 

“I am [*Name*].  I am open to the positive energy around me. I appreciate myself and others as I connect with love and kindness. As I think about those I love and care for, I send loving kindness and compassion to all people including me. We share our humaneness. Together, we can do great things.”

A quote by Denzel Washington, “Success? I don’t know what that word means. I’m happy. But success, that goes back to what in somebody’s eyes success means. For me, success is inner peace. That’s a good day for me.”

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 Box Breathing
        • Inhale for the count of 4.
        • Hold your breath for the count of 4.
        • Exhale for the count of 4.
        • Hold your breath for the count of 4.
        • Repeat

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Monday, April 5

Today is Monday, April 5, 2021. Every morning, seeing new flowers in bloom, ducks so happy and sprouts are emerging.

Ascending through April. Practicing Meditation to raise awareness and connect with those around us and the environment. 

    • Find a rhythmic activity you like, like walking, jogging, swimming, knitting, rocking, belly breathing, and do it.
    • Notice the thoughts that come up and flow through your mind during the activity.
    • See where your mind goes and allow yourself to just be an observer.
    • At the end of the activity, you may want to jot down some notes about what you learned.

Photo by: Jodie Righos

Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat: 

“I am [*Name*].  I am open to the positive energy around me. I appreciate myself and others as I connect with love and kindness. As I think about those I love and care for, I send loving kindness and compassion to all people including me. We share our humaneness. Together, we can do great things.”

A quote by Eckhart Tolle, “Wherever you are, be there totally.”

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 Box Breathing
        • Inhale for the count of 4.
        • Hold your breath for the count of 4.
        • Exhale for the count of 4.
        • Hold your breath for the count of 4.
        • Repeat

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

 

Friday, April 2

Today is Friday, April 2, 2021. Mornings get more beautiful with appreciation for the present and hope for the future.

Ascending through April. We keep leveling up. Transitions can move us forward. There are constant reminders in nature with seasonal transitions.

    • Knowing things change, consider who or what you want to recognize and appreciate right now.
    • What’s wonderful? Beautiful? A blessing?
    • Allow that feeling of appreciation, gratitude, love, joy, awe – all of it- flow freely.
    • You may choose to share that positive energy with someone else and expand it.

Photo by: Maarten Deckers

Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat: 

“I am [*Name*].  I am open to the positive energy around me. I appreciate myself and others as I connect with love and kindness. As I think about those I love and care for, I send loving kindness and compassion to all people including me. We share our humaneness. Together, we can do great things.”

A quote by Bernice Johnson Reagon, “Life’s challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they’re supposed to help you discover who you are.”

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.
    • Now, shrug your shoulders up and down multiple times and let your arms dangle.
    • Shake out or jiggle your legs.
    • Reach your arms overhead and stretch up and out.
    • Gently bring your chin down and to each side, smile the largest smile ever, and allow yourself to be re-energized.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP