energy – Page 5 – Daily Gift of Vitality

Wednesday, February 10

Today is Wednesday, February 10, 2021. The violet is the February birth flower. It symbolizes loyalty and faithfulness.

An inspirational quote by Zora Neal Hurston: “Love makes your soul crawl out from its hiding space.”

February Feelings. While this month can – at times – feel cold in places where it is winter, inside, we can be glowing with compassion.

Reflect on a time when you showed compassion toward others, what feelings did you experience? Some ways to show compassion include:

- Praise and encourage others
- Make eye contact
- Actively listen when someone is speaking with you
- Share joy and sadness with others

Photo by Jack Skinner

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.
- Try a “R.A.I.N.” practice to help clarify emotions:
  - R—Recognize that you are experiencing emotions
  - A—Allow the feelings to be there
  - I—Investigate how these feelings are being manifested in your body
  - N—Non-judgmental—our feelings are not right or wrong, it is simply where we are at right now.

Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:

“I am [*Name*]. I am doing what I can. I am open to myself and others, and I belong to a global community. I appreciate 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 including me. We are all connected. Together, we can do great things.”

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP

Monday, February 8

Today is Monday, February 8, 2021. A deep freeze and bright snow in many parts. Brilliant contrast for photos.

An inspirational quote, “If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” ~Dalai Lama

February Feelings. While this month can – at times – feel cold in places where it is winter, inside, we can be glowing with compassion.

Find opportunities to demonstrate compassion towards yourself and others. Listen, reflect, observe, and connect with love and kindness. Practice awareness and responding thoughtfully from a place of love and kindness. While it is often easier to show compassion to others, allow yourself the same love and kindness.

Photo by Denys Nevozhai

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.
- Try a “R.A.I.N.” practice to help clarify emotions:
  - R—Recognize that you are experiencing emotions
  - A—Allow the feelings to be there
  - I—Investigate how these feelings are being manifested in your body
  - N—Non-judgmental—our feelings are not right or wrong, it is simply where we are at right now.

Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP

Friday, February 5

Today is Friday, February 5, 2021. Being present. Gazing across the pond. Seeing a few brown leaves hanging from the branches. A robust squirrel scurried by.

An inspirational quote by Martin Luther King Jr. “Intelligence plus character, that is the true goal of education.”

February Feelings. While this month can – at times – feel cold in places where it is winter, inside, we can be glowing with warmth.

Human beings naturally learn and seeing progress is satisfying. Anytime today or this weekend, identify one thing you want to learn more about or learn to do better this month. You may already have started your learning plan. The list of options is extensive: history, cooking, kitting, coding, drawing, playing an instrument, dancing, working out, meditation, happiness, writing, organizing, cleaning, nutrition, etc.

Choose one thing and make dates with yourself to spend some time advancing your learning. To enjoy your progress, mark it someplace where you can see it. It could be hash marks for each time you spend some time on it, it could be logging it in a journal or crossing it off on the calendar, or you could add a bead or stone to a jar and see it filling up over time.

Photo by Charles Folscher

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.
- Roll your shoulders back and lace your fingers behind you-like you are holding your own hands behind you. Let your chest puff out and take a deep breath in.
- As you breathe out, bring your chin down gently and feel the release in the back of the neck and shoulders. Take another long breath in and out.
- Release your hands, bring your head back to neutral, and smile.

Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP

Wednesday, February 3

Today is Wednesday, February 3, 2021. Brisk walk, swinging the arms, really getting into it. Chuckling at how silly I feel, and totally embracing it.

An inspirational quote by Dr. Seuss, “If you keep your eyes open enough, oh, the stuff you will learn. Oh, the most wonderful stuff.”

February Feelings. While this month can – at times – feel cold in places where it is winter, inside, we can be glowing with warmth.

Make a list of people, places and things that increase how much or how often you laugh. The list may include people, books, quotes, memories, photos, games, characters, shows, movies, TV series, etc. See if you there are ways you can integrate more high laughter opportunities into your life (or others).

Photo by Daiwei Lu

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.
  - Roll your shoulders back and lace your fingers behind you-like you are holding your own hands behind you. Let your chest puff out and take a deep breath in.
  - As you breathe out, bring your chin down gently and feel the release in the back of the neck and shoulders. Take another long breath in and out.
  - Release your hands, bring your head back to neutral, and smile.

Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP

Monday, February 1

Today is Monday, February 1, 2021. Worldwide, the shortest month of the year has a special day to appreciate and celebrate love. Sitting by the fire, reflecting on the regenerative effects of love and connection.

An inspirational quote by Jane Goodall, “Empathy is really important. Only when our clever brain and our human heart work together in harmony can we achieve our full potential.”

February Feelings. While this month can – at times – feel cold in places where it is winter, inside, we can be glowing with warmth.

Take a moment to recall a time that you felt appreciated and cherished. Consider what contributed to allowing you to feel that way. Think about someone you appreciate and cherish. Reach out and connect with a note, find creative ways to spend time together or share a treasured recipe, book, music, workout, etc.

Photo by Ergyn Meshekran

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.
- Roll your shoulders back and lace your fingers behind you-like you are holding your own hands behind you, let your chest puff out and take a deep breath in.
- As you breathe out, bring your chin down gently and feel the release in the back of the neck and shoulders. Take another long breath in and out.
- Release your hands, bring your head back to neutral, and smile.

Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP

Friday, January 1

Today is Friday, January 1, 2021. It’s a new year. Wishing everyone a Happy & Healthy New Year full of love, inspiration, great meaning and joy.

An inspirational quote by Roy T. Bennett. “Be the reason someone smiles. Be the reason someone feels loved and believes in the goodness in people.”

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

Consider setting aspirations for the new year. Here are 20 examples to start with, “In this New Year, I aspire…

To start each day with a smile to myself.
To express love and positive energy towards others.
To spread joy in the world by sending messages of appreciation when I think of it.
To incorporate moments to walk or stretch when I sit for long periods of time.
To learn what affects my sleep by observing and keeping a journal.
To learn of additional ways to communicate with others and stay connected- ie. a new language, new method, different medium.
To listen to music that I love on most days.
To explore new recipes that are health promoting.
To make new friends or reconnect with past friends.
To write.
To learn a new language of a country I hope to visit in the future.
To explore a new hobby.
To share my art/music with others.
To read books that inspire me or add to my life.
To include activities that make me physically stronger.
To collect inspiring quotes.
To mentor someone.
To contribute to a worthy cause.
To capture recharging activities in a journal when I walk/create/draw/build/dance/explore.
To immerse myself in nature whenever I have an opportunity.”

Photo by: Clement Fusil (top) & Sean Paul Kinnear (bottom) &

Use this Mindfulness Activity to activate your vagus nerve and 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 & Blossom.
1. Take a deep breath in, feeling your lungs expand.
2. When you breath out, smile and say out loud, “Aaaaah.” Feel the vibrations in your body.
3. Repeat 2 times and notice those vibrations are different when you are smiling.

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

Wednesday, December 30

Today is Wednesday, December 30, 2020. Midweek, remembering all those who reached out and connected in the past year, deeply grateful to be a part of a global community of love.

Delights in December. Use the Daily Gift of Vitality, to allow a moment to pause and connect with what delights you. We share prompts and ideas along the way.

As we approach the last of 2020, take some time to reflect on what delight means to you. In the past year,

1. What delighted you?
2. When or where did you experience the most delight in your life?
3. Who added to or shared in the delight in your life?
4. What adds or increases delight to life?
5. How can you generate delightful moments for yourself and others?

An inspirational quote by Mark Victor Hansen. “Dedicate yourself to the good you deserve and desire for yourself. Give yourself peace of mind. You deserve to be happy. You deserve delight.”

Photo by Alonso Reyes

Recharge yourself when you repeat:

Return to the Mindfulness Activity to practice this week to create Calm Moments:

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 & Blossom.
1. Take a deep breath in, feeling your lungs expand.
2. When you breath out, smile and say out loud, “Aaaaah.” Feel the vibrations in your body.
3. Repeat 2 times and notice those vibrations are different when you are smiling.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP