Tag: moments

Friday, September 2

Today is Friday September 2, 2022. Seasons changing.

A quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Each moment of the year has its own beauty.”

Photo by OC Gonzalez

September marks change and the final third of the year.

Take a moment to reflect on this past year to date and consider what has changed, what you can appreciate now and what you’d like to see by the end of the year.

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:

  • 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. 
  • Allow yourself to be curious, notice the sensation: is the air warm, are the shoulders relaxed, what are the sounds that you hear?  If your mind wanders away from your focus on breathing it is OK, simply note that and then return to your breaths.

Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:  

“I am [*Name*]. I can do this. 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 

Monday, December 21

Today is Monday, December 21, 2020, the December Solstice. Ten days left in 2020. In 1913, the first crossword puzzle was published in the New York World.

Delights in December. This month use the Daily Gift of Vitality, to allow a moment to pause and connect with what delights you. We will provide prompts and ideas along the way.

Tonight, take a moment to watch the sun setting on the horizon. Over the next hour, you can get a once in a lifetime view of the Great Jupiter and Saturn Conjunction in the western sky. Without a telescope, they will look like a bright dot, and unlike stars, they will not twinkle. The last time they could be observed this close (at night) was in 1226.

This year, it also coincides with the December solstice, which is the longest night and shortest day in the Northern hemisphere and the longest day and shortest night in the Southern hemisphere. Take a moment to celebrate this special day.

An inspirational quote by Galileo Galilei: “Passion is the genesis of genius.”

Photo by Anthony Cantin

Recharge yourself when you repeat:    

“I am [*Name*]. I am doing what I can. I am aware of myself and others, and I belong to a global community. I love myself and others 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 and compassion to all people. We are all connected. Together, we can do great things.”

Return to 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.
    • To restore the body, experience Ocean Breathing as taught by Jeff Warren
      • While belly breathing, imagine yourself floating on the surface of the ocean
      • Your breath is like the tide, as you inhale the tide rises and it lifts your body up, as you exhale the body relaxes. Feel your body being carried by the tide.
      • Smile and enjoy floating and gliding.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Friday, December 18

Today is Friday, December 18, 2020.  In December 1903, Wilbur Wright flew the first airplane for 59 seconds over is distance of 852 feet

Delights in December. This month use the Daily Gift of Vitality, to allow a moment to pause and connect with what delights you. We will provide prompts and ideas along the way.

Have a solo or virtual dance party.  Explore different genres of music to dance to: Latin, Jazz, House, Disco, Rock and Roll.  Remember, “Dance like no one is watching” and have fun!

An inspirational quote by Sharon Salzberg “You can explore the universe looking for somebody who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and you will not find that person anywhere.”

Photo by: David Clode

Recharge yourself when you repeat:    

“I am [*Name*]. I am human. My mind, my body, and my spirit are connected, and I am a part of a global community. I love myself and others 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 and compassion to all people. As humans, we can create positive energy 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.
    • Flex and release your calf muscles, seated or standing.
    • Lift your heels off the ground and feel your feet stretch and your calves tighten.
    • Slowly release and flex your feet by bringing your toes up towards your shins. Feel the stretch in the calves. Then release and shake out each foot.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Monday, December 14

Today is Monday, December 14, 2020.  December was originally the 10th month of the Roman calendar; December comes from the Latin word “decem”—meaning “ten”.

Delights in December. This month use the Daily Gift of Vitality, to allow a moment to pause and connect with what delights you. We will provide prompts and ideas along the way.

Find Delight in the outdoors.  Consider different ways to experience the weather.  Build a Snowman, jump in a rain puddle and enjoy the splash, walk through a pile of leaves, build a sandcastle, create a rock sculpture, watch the sun rise or sun set.

An inspirational quote by Rumi: “Every object, every being, is a jar full of delight.”

Photo by: Joe Byrnes

Recharge yourself when you repeat:    

“I am [*Name*]. I am human. My mind, my body, and my spirit are connected, and I am a part of a global community. I love myself and others 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 and compassion to all people. As humans, we can create positive energy 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.
    • Flex and release your calf muscles, seated or standing.
    • Lift your heels off the ground and feel your feet stretch and your calves tighten.
    • Slowly release and flex your feet by bringing your toes up towards your shins. Feel the stretch in the calves. Then release and shake out each foot.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Monday, November 30

Today is Monday, November 30, 2020. It is the beginning of the week and the end of the month. Getting back into the groove.

November is for nesting, nourishing, and nurturing. With changing seasons, nature reminds us to slow down and recharge in more quiet ways. As November is complete, with some holidays behind us, we find ways to continue to feel the connectedness with other loving beings and smile. Here’s a start. Add to the list and keep it handy.

  1. Talk to someone who is calming for you.
  2. Reach out to someone special.
  3. Play with a pet.
  4. Provide a charitable contribution.
  5. Send a warm note to someone you appreciate.
  6. Share reflections about what you have been thankful for.
  7. And of course, re-read the Daily Gift of Vitality.

An inspirational quote by John Joseph Powell, “It is an absolute human certainty that no one can know his own beauty or perceive a sense of his own worth until it has been reflected back to him in the mirror of another loving, caring human being.”

Photo by: Dan Deziel, “Awaiting Winter”

Recharge yourself when you repeat:    

“I am [*Name*]. I am human. My mind, my body, and my spirit are connected, and I am a part of a global community. I love myself and others 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 and compassion to all people. We are all human. We can create positive energy 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.
    • Open hands and rotate palms out and shake out and shimmy your shoulders. Smile.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Friday, November 6th

Today is Friday, November 6th, 2020.  The birth flower of November is the Chrysanthemum.  The Chrysanthemum represents cheerfulness.

November is for nesting, nourishing, and nurturing.

While the winter approaches in the northern hemisphere, nature reminds us to slow down and recharge in more quiet ways. As animals hibernate or move to warmer climates, we invite you to explore nourishing activities for your mind and body.

Select a charity or group you care about and make a donation. You can choose to share:

    • Your time
    • Your expertise
    • Your kindness
    • Your creativity
    • Your enthusiasm

An inspirational Quote from Nelson Mandela

“You can start changing our world for the better, no matter how small the action.”

Photo by: Yoksel Zok

Recharge yourself when you repeat:    

“I am [*Name*]. My mind, my body, and my spirit are united, and I am a part of a global community. I love myself and others 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 and compassion to all people. We are all human. We can create positive energy 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.
    • As you continue to breathe deeply and slowly, smile to yourself with kindness and compassion and enjoy a moment of being you.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Friday, October 16

Today is Friday, October 16, 2020. Smiles are the easiest facial expression to recognize and they are universally seen as signs of happiness. Across the world, in addition to smiles, laughter helps people connect and form social bonds.

For the month of October, we celebrate Fun & Friendly Fridays.

Virtual recipe share. Pick a theme or cuisine and schedule a virtual healthy meal with some friends or family you haven’t seen in a while. Have a virtual gathering to smile, laugh, cook and eat healthy together. Experimenting with a new recipe or using a favorite recipe is a bonus. Share your recipes from the gathering.

A Quote from Armand Dimele. “When people go within and connect with themselves, they realize they are connected to the universe and they are connected to all living things.”

Photo by Jonathan Daniels

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.
  • Allow yourself to be curious, what sensations do you notice: is the air warm, are the shoulders relaxed? If your mind wanders away from your focus on breathing it is OK, simply note that and then return to your breaths.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP