Tag: March

Monday, March 7

Today is Monday, March 7, 2022. Appreciating the first appearance of perennial plants and their gift of regeneration.

A quote by Amelia Earhart, “Never interrupt someone doing something you said couldn’t be done.”

Photo from Ronda Kimbrow

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:

    • As we often do this time of year in preparing for our spring plantings, we share seeds with fellow gardeners. What else can we share with others?
    • What can I do now, that would enhance life in the next season?
    • Could I do something now, that will prepare for something even better then?

Use this Mindfulness Activity to Re-energize your Body and Mind whenever you need it – while waiting, before, after, or in 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.
    • As you continue to breath, imagine a beautiful mountain. Envision all the details you can, how stable it is, how it is grounded in the earth, its strength.

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 

Rush University   

http://www.DailyGiftOfVitality.com

Friday, March 4

Today is Friday, March 4, 2022. Happy to see the sun shining brightly.

A quote by Earl Nightingale, “Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.”

Photo from Nicole Siparsky, MD, Lake Michigan sunset in winter: reflections on snow covered sand dunes.

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:

    • What do you want to see blossoming in your life? (It may help to review your reflections and visualizations from January)
    • What do you want from your garden? Beautiful colors? Nourishment? Flavor enhancements? Appealing birds? Physical activity? Greenery? Learning?

Use this Mindfulness Activity to Re-energize your Body and Mind whenever you need it – while waiting, before, after, or in 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.
    • Starting at your feet, on every inhale, stretch your body part. On every exhale, release.
    • Work your way up your body with every breath cycle until you finish with your eyebrows.
    • Smile if someone saw you stretching out your eyebrows. =)

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 

Wednesday, March 2

Today is Wednesday, March 2, 2022. Beginning a month of seasonal transitions, looking for evidence of the changing seasons.

A quote by Wayne Dyer, “Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change.”

Photo from pure julia

March is about opening up and fresh starts. This month, is about dreaming, planning and setting up. We will use gardening as an analogy for living life. Begin with a self reflection:

    • How am I? How is my garden?
    • What am I starting with? What is left from last season? What is new or different from previous?
    • What is set up for the next season if I don’t do anything different?

Use this Mindfulness Activity to Re-energize your Body and Mind whenever you need it – while waiting, before, after, or in 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.
    • Starting at your feet, on every inhale, stretch your body part. On every exhale, release.
    • Work your way up your body with every breath cycle until you finish with your eyebrows.
    • Smile if someone saw you stretching out your eyebrows. =)

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 

Wednesday, March 31

Today is Wednesday, March 31, 2021. Every day, here in the neighborhood, there appears to be more blooms. Seeing more birds and animals, there is more movement.

Finding meaning this March. March marked 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 taking that meaning as we move forward.

Set up for a reminder to connect with what is meaningful to you.

    • Consider scheduling on the calendar the next time you will review or deliberately check in with what is meaningful to you.
    • Jot down the mindset or environment that will help you stay anchored to those things that are meaningful to you in the month of April. Keep it visible.
    • Keep a visual reminder or a photo of who inspires you to do the next thing.

Photo by: Monika Grabkowska

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 Dalai Lama XIV: “Give the ones you love wings to fly, roots to come back and reasons to stay.”

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 

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

Wednesday, March 24

Today is Wednesday, March 24, 2021. There are 282 more days in 2021, in other words, 282 opportunities to be curious.

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.

    • Try a cuisine you have not experienced before.
    • Explore new spices.
    • Listen to a podcast on a new topic.
    • Groove to a new genre of music.
    • See something new. Sit quietly and really notice the nature you may “see” daily. It is always changing – the clouds moving in the sky, a sunrise or sunset, trees, a plant, the water, the wind, the dirt, the sand, etc.

Photo by: Jenna Beekhuis

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 Walt Whitman: “Be curious, not judgmental.”

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, March 22

Today is Monday, March 22, 2021. Birds are returning; pause to hear the music they are sharing with us.

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.

    • If you are a master vegetable gardener, maybe try your hand at a shade garden.
    • If you love pets, volunteer at your local animal shelter.
    • If you want to add to a better future, connect with someone as a mentee, mentor or sponsor. Share your knowledge with someone through tutoring.

Photo by: Darryl 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 Albert Einstein: “I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.”

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 

Friday, March 19

Today is Friday, March 19, 2021. Everything is changing outside. There are signs of new life all around and there seems to be a new flow of energy.

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 you. Connect with you. Find quiet moments today and/or this weekend to connect with yourself. Listen to the sounds around you. Observe your body. Reflect on your thoughts. Journal.

    • How are you doing?
    • How is your energy?
    • What is influencing your energy?
    • What’s one thing you can do to recharge your energy?
    • Make a list of ways you can recharge yourself.

Photo by: Bantersnaps

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, “Since everything is a reflection of our minds, everything can be changed by our minds.”

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.
    • Purse your lips as you exhale your belly breath to help add some energy to your day.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Wednesday, March 17

Today is Wednesday, March 17, 2021.  The ice has melted. The ducks are back. The bulbs are poking through the ground. Getting ready, anticipating the new season.

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.

In the middle of the week, it’s easy to inadvertently miss out on connecting with loved ones. Take a moment to pause, reach out and connect with someone you care about. Send a note, schedule a time to connect, make a phone call, drop off a thoughtful gift, bring a cup of tea or coffee, make time to share a meal together without interruptions (putting the phone away).

Photo by: Anne Nygård

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 John Friend, “We seek fulfillment in our lives through heart connection with others. This is our soul’s essence of joy, which spontaneously pulses through us, longing to share itself with another.

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.
    • Purse your lips as you exhale your belly breath to help add some energy to your day.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP