Tag: meditation

Friday, June 18

Today is Friday, June 18, 2021. Children playing with each other, enjoying the outdoors. 

Try something new in June. Indulge in a new plant. Add a new plant to your surroundings:

  • Place a new, beautiful potted indoor or outdoor plant someplace you can see it frequently.
  • Plant a new tree, shrub, or flowers in the yard.
  • Add ornamental grasses to your garden.
  • Peruse the garden shop or catalog for a new herb and find a recipe to try.
  • Grow lettuce and have fresh greens with your meal.
  • Buy colorful flowers for a busy room in your house.
  • Trade cuttings of plants or split and share plants with friends or neighbors.
  • Bring home a fragrant plant for daily aromatherapy.

Photo by Fran 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. Together, we can do great things.”

A quote by Janet Kilburn Phillips. “There are no gardening mistakes, only experiments.”

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.   
  • Try a mountain meditation.
    • Find a comfortable seated or standing position, take 3 belly breaths.
    • Allowing your body to be still visualize a beautiful mountain.
    • Bring your awareness to the mountain’s strength, beauty, stillness.
    • Use the strength and beauty of the mountain to recharge you.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Wednesday, June 16

Today is Wednesday, June 16, 2021. Feeling an extra burst of energy to start the day.

Try something new in June. Connect in new ways. Let people you care about know that you are thinking of them.

  • Send a postcard to three people during the week. Extra bonus if the postcard includes your artwork or is created from a photo you have taken (there are apps and online resources that make this relatively easy to do).
  • Jot a kind note for a colleague at work and leave it someplace they will see it when they return to their desk or work space.
  • Reach out with a text or phone message to check in and let someone know you are thinking of them.
  • Invite a friend to go for a walk and talk.
  • Write a letter or email to someone you haven’t seen in a while.

Photo by Kuchihige Saboten.

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. Together, we can do great things.”

A quote by Dr. Seuss, “To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you may be the world.”

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.   
  • Try a mountain meditation.
    • Find a comfortable seated or standing position, take 3 belly breaths.
    • Allowing your body to be still visualize a beautiful mountain.
    • Bring your awareness to the mountain’s strength, beauty, stillness.
    • Use the strength and beauty of the mountain to recharge you.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Monday, June 14

Today is Monday, June 14, 2021.  Sharing the long summer days with the beauty of nature around us.

Try something new in June.  Explore bird watching.  This is a great way to experience nature and your surroundings.

    • Obtain a local bird guide, you can check out a book from the library, download an app on your phone, search a great website, join a local birding club.
    • Place a bird feeder near your home.
    • Other important tools for bird watching: being present in the environment, being curious about what you are seeing.

Photo by Aaron Doucett.

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. Together, we can do great things.”

A quote by Temple Grandin,  “The most important thing people did for me was to expose me to new things.”

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.
    • Try a mountain meditation.
      • Find a comfortable seated or standing position, take 3 belly breaths.
      • Allowing your body to be still visualize a beautiful mountain.
      • Bring your awareness to the mountain’s strength, beauty, stillness.
      • Use the strength and beauty of the mountain to recharge you.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Friday, June 11

Today is Friday, June 11, 2021.  Walking with a friend, appreciating the companionship.

Try something new in June.  Give yourself a cheerful boost by rearranging a space at work or in your home.

    • Place fresh flowers or a small potted plant on a table.
    • Place an inspirational quote or favorite postcard in an easily visible location.
    • Change the colors or theme of a room.
    • Organize and clear that papers on top of the table, counter, or desk.
    • Add new framed photos of people you love.
    • Get colorful folders, notepads, pens to add to the fun of a work day.

Photo by Kerin Gedge

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. Together, we can do great things.”

A quote by Hellen Keller, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”

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.
    • Take 3 minutes to check in with your body:
      • In the first minute ask how am I doing now—am I stressed, am I angry, am I peaceful?
      • In the second minute focus on breathing.
      • In the third minute focus on feeling the way breathing affects your body.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Wednesday, June 9

Today is Wednesday, June 9, 2021.  Walking through the neighborhood enjoying the smells of spring-summer:  fresh cut grass, flowers in bloom, the freshly watered garden.

Try something new in June.  Visit a new neighborhood.

    • Explore the park.
    • Check out a small local grocery store.
    • Appreciate the local art scene.
    • Dine outside at a new restaurant.

Photo by Fran 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. Together, we can do great things.”

A quote by Akash Ryan Agarwal,  “Try new things every day.  Don’t be afraid of failures.  You will not lose anything.  But your brain will be packed with experiences.”

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.
    • Take 3 minutes to check in with your body:
      • In the first minute ask how am I doing now—am I stressed, am I angry, am I peaceful?
      • In the second minute focus on breathing.
      • In the third minute focus on feeling the way breathing affects your body.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Monday, June 7

Today is Monday, June 7, 2021.  Sitting quietly listening to the music of the birds and leaves moving with the wind.

 Try something new in June.  Experience a break from social media and news media. Instead, use the time to:

    • Write a letter to a friend or someone you would like to reconnect with.
    • Read a book in a different genre- maybe read a historical fiction book, a mystery, love story.
    • Update your aspirations and goals.
    • Try a new physical activity routine.
    • Practice meditation.
    • Add to your gratitude journal.
    • Color, draw, paint.

Photo by Lenin Estrada

 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. Together, we can do great things.”

A quote by Bhavya Choudhary.  “Try new things and discover yourself every single day.”

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.
    • Take 3 minutes to check in with your body:
      • In the first minute ask how am I doing now—am I stressed, am I angry, am I peaceful?
      • In the second minute focus on breathing.
      • In the third minute focus on feeling the way breathing affects your body.

 With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

 Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Friday, May 28

Today is Friday, May 28, 2021. Noticing the social birds so early in the morning. A pleasant way to start the day.

During the month of May, we are focusing on routines.  Routines can anchor us, decrease stress, foster creativity, prioritize self-care, and allow time to pursue our passions!  This week we look at routines to foster our relationships.  Let’s be curious about our work relationships, family, and friend relationships.

Incorporating routines with friends can help grow a friendship, encourage connection with others, and allow for creativity to bloom.

    • Have a standing workout time.
    • Engage in a monthly book club.
    • Establish a standing lunch or dinner date.
    • Have a standing game night.

Photo by Mia Anderson

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. Together, we can do great things.”

A quote by: Maya Angelou “A friend may be waiting behind a stranger’s face.”

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.
  • With each exhale, use a low pitch voice and hum, “Om.”
  • Feel the vibration of your voice. Repeat 3 or more times.
  • End with a smile.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Wednesday, May 26

Today is Wednesday, May 26, 2021. Noticing floral scents of plants in bloom.

During the month of May, we are focusing on routines.  Routines can anchor us, decrease stress, foster creativity, prioritize self-care, and allow time to pursue our passions!  This week we look at routines to foster our relationships.  Let’s be curious about our work relationships, family, and friend relationships.

Family routines can help open more time for fun activities and decrease stress.

    • Listen fully.
    • Do a brain dump to help prioritize your families’ activities.
    • Organize a family game night.
    • Make time for family walks.
    • Keep a family notepad and write fun notes for each other to see.
    • Share a weekly “Show and Tell” about the week.

Photo by Tobin Rogers

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. Together, we can do great things.”

A quote by: Mike Murdock. “The secret of your future is hidden in your daily routine.”

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.
    • With each exhale, use a low pitch voice and hum, “Om.”
    • Feel the vibration of your voice. Repeat 3 or more times.
    • End with a smile.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Monday, May 24

Today is Monday, May 24, 2021. Walking down the street, noticing the full canopy of leaves flowing with the breeze.

During the month of May, we are focusing on routines.  Routines can anchor us, decrease stress, foster creativity, prioritize self-care, and allow time to pursue our passions!  This week we look at routines to foster our relationships.  Let’s be curious about our work relationships, family, and friend relationships.

Many of us spend the majority of our day at work with coworkers.  Building those relationships can bring satisfaction and creativity.

    • Invite someone you don’t know well to have lunch with you.
    • Start a walking group during lunch, before or after work.
    • Volunteer together for charity.

Photo by Fran 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. Together, we can do great things.”

A quote by Mark Kostabi, “Out of routines comes inspiration.”

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.
    • With each exhale, use a low pitch voice and hum, “Om.”
    • Feel the vibration of your voice. Repeat 3 or more times.
    • End with a smile.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Friday, May 21

Today is Friday, May 21, 2021. Noticing where there is abundance. So much to appreciate.

During the month of May, we are focusing on routines.  Routines can anchor us, decrease stress, foster creativity, prioritize self-care, and allow time to pursue our passions!  This week we look at routines to boost you during your active hours, when you are working or studying or practicing.

To thrive, it helps to have routines to interrupt sedentariness throughout the day. 

        • Before you pick up the phone or device, if you are seated, stand up and stretch up and lift your chin up and lower your shoulders before you sit back down.
        • Amplify a short break by stepping outside, taking a walk or even just looking out the window at the sky while taking deep belly breaths feeling the air move in and out of your body.
        • When you are transitioning from one virtual meeting or class to another, get up from your chair and step out of the room, shake out your arms and legs, stretch and return to start the next thing.
        • See if you can have walking meetings or take the phone call while standing and pacing.
        • Every time you stand up, do a wall push up or two.

Photo by Ja Ma

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. Together, we can do great things.”

A quote by Wayne Dyer, “Doing what you love is the cornerstone of having abundance in your life.”

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.
    • Cross your arms across your chest, hands on opposite shoulders, giving yourself a big hug.
    • While still holding your shoulders, bring your chin to your chest and let gravity pull down on your elbows and release the back of your shoulders into a gentle stretch.
    • Release your arms, uncurl, roll your shoulders back, open your palms out. Bring your chin up and smile.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP