Tag: meditation

Friday, April 8

Today is Friday, April 8, 2022. So excited, the bulbs are visible.

A quote by Janice Anderson, “Nature is one of the most underutilized treasures in life. It has the power to unburden hearts and reconnect to that inner place of peace.”

 Photo from Nicole Siparsky, MD, Crocus emerging in a Wicker Park garden

April is about Springing forward.  Let’s take some time to explore strategies and activities for continued growth.  Start your day with the intention to recognize moments of joy during the day.

    • Making spontaneous eye contact and smiling with acknowledgement of the other person.
    • Completing a task.
    • Enjoying reading.
    • Listening to favorite music.
    • Watching a child laugh, play, discover, persist at trying something, succeed.
    • Feeling proud of something you did well.
    • Sharing with a friend.
    • Engaging in warm conversation.

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.
    • As you continue to belly breathe, smile. Connect to the sensations on your face.  Notice how it feels to bring a gentle smile to your face.

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, April 6

Today is Wednesday, April 6, 2022. Being curious, how did the squirrels spend their winter?

A quote by: Harriet Tubman “Every great dream begins with a dreamer.  Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”

 Photo from: drewsulockcreations

April is about Springing forward.  Let’s take some time to explore strategies and activities for continued growth.  Start your day with the intention to become more aware of a particular action, then place your focus on that action during the day.  Examples of actions you may want to focus on:

    • Opening doors
    • Greeting coworkers or acquaintances
    • Picking up your phone
    • Drinking water

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.
    • As you continue to belly breathe, smile. Connect to the sensations on your face. Notice how it feels to bring a gentle smile to your face.

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 

Monday, April 4

Today is Monday, April 4,2022. Smiling at the animals coming back to play after a long winter.

A quote by: Morris Pratt.  “Smiling is a wonderful way to get a boost of happiness.  Then next time life presents you with a challenging situation, take a deep breath and smile.”

 Photo from Arnaud_Martinez

April is about Springing forward.  Let’s take some time to explore strategies and activities for continued growth.  Awaken and move or begin a walking routine.  You can use this time to connect with nature, clear your mind, dream new dreams.

    • Schedule a time to walk
    • Plan your routes
    • Hydrate
    • Smile while you walk

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.
    • As you continue to belly breathe, smile. Connect to the sensations on your face. Notice how it feels to bring a gentle smile to your face.

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 

Friday, March 25

Today is Friday, March 25, 2022. Winds are carrying warmer air.

An inspirational quote by Luther Burbank. “Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food, and medicine for the soul.”

Photo from RJohn97

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:

    • Growth takes time and sometimes, it takes time before you can see it.
    • How will you know if you are making progress, or not?
    • What can you track?

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 

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 

Monday, March 21

Today is Monday, March 21, 2022. Spring is here!  What sights, sounds and smells of spring are you experiencing?

An inspirational quote by Jim Carrey.  “Flowers don’t worry about how they’re going to bloom.  They just open up and turn towards the light and that makes them beautiful.”

Photo from Cesar Llaneza Rodriguez

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:

    • Some plants are enhanced when we plant companion plants close by. Basil and Marigolds protect tomato plants.
    • What enhances your growth?
    • How often do you need to tend to your garden for it to thrive?

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 

Friday, March 18

Today is Friday, March 18, 2022. The ponds are thawed, the water is clear…except for the future tadpoles.

An inspirational quote, “I love the challenge of starting at zero every day and seeing how much I can accomplish.” By Martha Stewart

Photo from Susan Chubinskaya, PhD

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:

    • Your environment matters. What else can you do to nourish the soil so that it has the greatest likelihood of growing into what you will love?
    • What environmental factors can you control for the garden of your dreams to be possible?

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.
    • With each breath, think about someone or something that you appreciate, that you feel gratitude for, and smile to yourself as you reflect and send out positive energy from that space inside.

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 

Monday, March 14

Today is Monday, March 14, 2022. Early birds chirping cheerfully, ready for another day.

A quote by Diane Ackerman, “Wonder is the heaviest element on the periodic table. Even a tiny fleck of it stops time.”

Photo from Nicole Siparsky, A Potted Garden in Vietnam

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:

    • Location matters. Where is that place you can return to that is nourishing?
    • What kind of space do you need to create?
    • What needs to be cleared out or nurtured?

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.
    • With each breath, think about someone or something that you appreciate, that you feel gratitude for, and smile to yourself as you reflect and send out positive energy from that space inside.

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 9

Today is Wednesday, March 9, 2022. Observing the clouds sharing the sky.

A quote by Buddha.  “No matter how hard the past is, you can always begin again.”

Photo from Mimadeo

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 seeds do you need to get?
    • Do you want to set up for variety? Do you have a theme? What purpose does it support?

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 

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