Tag: garden

Friday, May 19

Today is Friday, May 19, 2023. As we continue- from last week-moving towards dreams, aspirations, goals, we may better understand our best awake and rest times. We offer a pre-sleep tool.

Think about this: During awake hours, there are lots of experiences and thoughts and feelings. The brain and mind are appropriately busy. Worries and fears about the future may surface. Future dreams, plans and action items develop. Where does all this go? What happens to it?

Sometimes, the start of sleep is delayed due to the brain and mind trying to sort through the day and prepare for the future. It does not want to forget anything important, but it does not know what is important and what is not, so it might try to cycle through everything and that can interfere with sleep. Good news, you can train your brain to rest by creating a ritual before you need to sleep.

DGoV (Daily Gift of Vitality) Activity: For this next week, before your desired sleep time, perform a brain dump. Write down everything on your mind in a notebook so that you can return to it in the morning. Let your brain watch you writing down all the things on your mind so that it can be reassured that you will not forget it and that you can return to it and organize your thoughts tomorrow. Then, when you are ready tomorrow, return to it and review your brain dump. Your mind will have solved much of it overnight while asleep. With regular practice, over time, your brain will learn to let your brain rest when you are ready to sleep.  

A quote by Queen Rania al-Abdullah, “We are stronger when we listen, and smarter when we share.”

Thank you to Gregoire Jeanneau for sharing this photo.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Friday, May 12

Today is Friday, May 12, 2023. This beautiful time of year is a great time to move towards dreams, aspirations, goals. Motivated for progress: planting something to grow, building upon and developing skills, advancing forward and trying something new.

Think about this: We start with the gardener’s analogy, not sure who to attribute this to. To grow a beautiful lush garden that can provide shelter, food, beauty and pleasure, the soil matters. There must be organic matter in the soil to provide nutrients, to hold water. Adequate sunlight and darkness, warmth and coolness, the worms, birds and bees all work together to support the soil and create a fertile space for a garden to grow. In that enriched space, then we can choose the seeds to plant and support that environment until the plant sprouts and grows to its fullest potential, whether a tree that provides shelter and shade, a plant that provides food and nutrients or flowers and herbs that provide beauty and pleasure.

We will start with small tips on enriching our own soil so that each of us can thrive and grow into our fullest potential.

DGoV (Daily Gift of Vitality) Activity: For this next week, examine your daily rhythms – the time you are naturally most awake and the time you can best sleep. It turns out that within 24 hours, some people do better with 2 sleep times (usually 1 longer and 1 shorter) and some are best with 1 longer sleep time. Write down when you are awake and when you are asleep. Include when you feel like you want to be asleep or when you want to stay awake longer. Just be curious.

A quote by Audrey Hepburn, “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.”

Thank you to Javardh for sharing this photo.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Monday, October 24

Today is Monday, October 24, 2022.   Looking up to the clouds? What do I see?

A quote by: Susan Allen Toth.  “Each garden has its own surprise.”

Photo by: beekeepx

October is the perfect time to engage your inner creative self.  As we prepare gardens for the winter months, spend some time thinking about the next garden, indoors or outdoors, where ever you can grow plants. Can you add or move some new plants?  Can you add some different colors?  Maybe add some art pieces to your garden.  

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.

Establishing a regular practice of pausing makes it easier to reset when you need it the most. You can start your practice at any time, even now.

  • 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. 
  • Explore Humming Bee breathing:
  • Close your eyes
  • Gently cover your ears with your hands
  • Begin to hum, notice the vibration

Recharge yourself, tap into your strength and share positive energy when you repeat:  

“I am [*Name*]. I can do this. This is temporary. I have successfully handled difficult challenges in the past. 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, March 23

Today is Wednesday, March 23, 2022. The birds are singing, welcoming spring.

An inspirational quote by Alfred Austin. “The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature.  To nurture a garden is to feed not just the body but the soul.”

Photo from Nataba

March is about opening up and fresh starts. This month, is about dreaming, planning, and setting up. Using gardening as analogy for living life, consider:

    • Regularly removing weeds from the garden supports growth.
    • What steps can you take to nurture your plans and vision?
    • How will you remember to nourish your garden?

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.
    • Keeping your feet grounded and connected to the floor or earth, as you inhale, feel the energy from the ground lift you. As you exhale, feel your roots deepen and expand.  Smile in appreciation for your strength and ability to grow :-).

Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:  

“I am [*Name*]. I can do this. As I connect to my vision, courage, strength, and wisdom, I am open to the Love 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