Tag: explore

Monday, March 29

Today is Monday, March 29, 2021. Here in Chicago, so many buds, so many new signs of spring and life, so much to appreciate and enjoy. The sun seems brighter.

Finding meaning this March. March marks the one-year mark for the Daily Gift of Vitality (DGoV).  This month, we have been exploring and connecting with what is meaningful. Let’s finish the month with a focus on making meaning out of it all.

Today, take a moment to review or write down what you learned from this month about what is meaningful to you. Return to this summary, add to it, reflect on it at regular intervals to anchor you. We started the month with journaling prompts and then shifted to expanding our hearts and minds through connection and new experiences.

Photos by: Susan Chubinskaya

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 Jeffrey J. Fox: “Everybody is somebody’s somebody.”

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 

Friday, March 26

Today is Friday, March 26, 2021. Tree buds in the Spring, bring the beauty of flowers and leaves that we get to enjoy!

Finding meaning this March. March marks the one-year mark for the Daily Gift of Vitality (DGoV).  This month, we explore and connect with what is meaningful. Weather changes motivate readjustments and resets. Let’s continue to focus this week on making meaningful connections.

Be curious about finding meaning through new experiences.   Being curious allows us to observe fully and see things differently.

    • Star gaze.
    • Fly a kite.
    • Watch a new sport.
    • Try a new exercise routine.
    • Read or listen to a book from another time or translated from another language.

Photo by: Robert Thiemann

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 Steve Jobs: “Much of what I stumbled into by following my curiosity and intuition turned out to be priceless later on.”

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.   
    • Be curious about the effects of Belly Breathing. Check in with your body non-judgmentally prior to starting your breaths and after you have completed.  What do you notice?

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP

Monday, September 28

Today is Monday, September 28, 2020.  The British tend to use the word “autumn” and Americans tend to use the word “fall” to refer to the season between summer and winter.

An inspirational Quote from Oscar Wilde, “To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.”

Photo by: Eric Muhr

During Self-Care September, we offer prompts to energize your self-care routine. We invite you to experiment with any or all the suggested activities to invigorate, your mind, body and spirit.

Self-Care Activity: Explore a new topic that interests you:

    • Listen to a podcast
    • Read a book
    • Join a club

Recharge yourself when you repeat:    

“I am [*Name*]. I am resilient and learning every day. I am part of the global community. I love myself 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 out to all people. We are all connected. We can be resilient together.”

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.
    • Begin your self-talk.
      1. Say to yourself, “I can step back.” See yourself step back in your mind.
      2. “I can clear my head.” Visualize a clean sweep of your head.
      3. “My body can calm.” Release your neck shoulders.
      4. “I can release.” Take a belly breath and full breath out.
      5. Smile.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP