Tag: nature

Sunday, November 5

Today is Sunday, November 5, 2023. Foliage, still beautiful.

DGoV (Daily Gift of Vitality) Activity: Add a nutrient flavor boost topping to a favorite stew or savory dish. Finely chop parsley, about ¼ cup chopped. Add 1 clove finely minced chopped garlic with lemon juice and zest from ½ of a lemon. Add a pinch of salt to taste and stir it all up. Let it sit for a few minutes for the flavors to blend and then add a small pinch on top of your soup or stew for added flavor.

A quote by William Cowper, “Variety’s the very spice of life, that gives it all its flavor.”

Thank you to Nicole Siparsky, MD for sharing her series of photos- this one, Gahuti Trail Overlook, Fort Mountain State Park, Georgia.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Sunday, August 20

Today is Sunday, August 20, 2023. Love Love Love the greenery at this time of year!

DGoV (Daily Gift of Vitality) Activity: Reach out to someone you haven’t heard from in a while. A simple note, text, call or care package can elicit a feeling of warmth and being loved. It’s a reminder that we all matter.

A quote by Norm Rice, “Dare to reach out your hand into the darkness, to pull another hand into the light.”

Thank you to Nicole Siparsky, MD, for sharing this photo, Paradise Creek.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Sunday, August 13

Today is Sunday, August 13, 2023. Loving those friends who create safe space.   

DGoV (Daily Gift of Vitality) Activity: Take a moment in the week to pause and appreciate some aspect of nature. It might be the flower in a vase, the sunlight peeking through the leaves, the birds chirping, the ripples in the water, the color of the sky as the sun sets. Take that moment and capture that appreciation. Jot a note about what you notice, write a poem, draw the image, take a photo. Now, you can return to that memory of appreciation any time you want. It’s good for your brain and body.

A quote by Vivian Greene, “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass…It’s about learning to dance in the rain.”

Thank you to Nicole Siparsky, MD, for sharing this photo, Tidal pools of Lake Champlain.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Sunday, July 16,

Shifting to Sunday, July 16, 2023. Enjoying the opportunities to find peaceful moments.

DGoV (Daily Gift of Vitality) Activity: Take a moment to reflect back and make a list of 3 moments when you felt happiness and joy. Consider, what allowed that? Was it the environment? Time to yourself? Completing something? Being with a certain person or a group? After exercise? Among the trees? What made those happy and joyful moments possible?

A quote by Franklin D. Roosevelt, “Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort.

Thank you to Ashe Walker for sharing this photo.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Monday, November 28

Today is Monday, November 28, 2022. Noticing the squirrels jumping from tree to tree.

A quote by Jay Shetty.  “There are so many things in the world that could be invisible to the material eye, and when you take a moment to stop, to pause, to be present and notice them—that’s gratitude.”

Photo by: Kenneth Keifer

November is the month of Gratitude. Thinking about ways to show gratitude for nature.

  • Plant a tree
  • Pick up litter
  • Leave some food for the winter birds and squirrels
  • Walk more

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. 
  • 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.

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, August 3

Today is Wednesday, August 3, 2022. It is warm out there.

A quote by Lao Tzu.  “Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.”

Photo by Sandy Millar

This August is about simplifying to calm and restore inner peace.

Find your easy-to-access “nature” space:

    • A picture of trees, flowers, water.
    • A beautiful potted plant.
    • A view of flowing water, trees swaying in the wind, ducks waddling.
    • A sound machine playing pleasant nature sounds.
    • A garden or walking trail.
    • A scenic driving route.

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.
    • For the next 5 breaths out, hum. Let the vibration settle your core even more. Smile.

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, May 2

Today is Monday May 2, 2022.  Feeling happy for the boundless gifts I can find outdoors.

A quote by Dalai Lama.  “The purpose of our lives is to be happy.”

Photo taken by: Nicole Siparsky, MD, Glen Falls Nantahala National Forest

 Let’s make this a Magical May!  This month, we will explore things that can make us HAPPY, even for a brief moment.  Being happy can enhance your life, boost the immune system, and help build connections with others.  Research has shown getting outside simply makes you happier.😊

    • Go for a hike in the forest
    • Take a walk in your favorite park
    • Walk through a neighborhood and appreciate the gardens
    • Eat a meal outside
    • Stand on the grass without your shoes
    • Bird watch
    • Scrunch your toes in the sand

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 breathe, offer the loving kindness statements to yourself and/or others who are important to you: May I be safe, May I be HAPPY, May I be healthy, May I live with ease.

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 

Wednesday, December 15

Today is Wednesday, December 15, 2021. They say no two snowflakes are alike, yet they share so much in common.

A quote from William Shakespeare. “The earth has music for those who listen.”

Photo by: Denys Nevozhai

December Delights is back. This December let’s focus on gifts of Love and Joy- to yourself and others.

  • Give yourself the gift of Nature.
    • Go for a walk on a new trail or route
    • Add plants to your home.
    • Star gaze.
    • Go outside and listen.
    • Bird watch.
    • Visit a hot spring.

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.
    • For a quieting meditation before sleep, include Box breathing.
    • Continuing to Belly breath, inhale for the count of 4; hold your breath for the count of 4.
    • Then, exhale for the count of 4; and again, hold your breath for a count of 4.
    • Continue to repeat this pattern at least 4 times or until you are feeling more relaxed and ready for sleep.

Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:  

 “I am [*Name*]. I can do this. As I connect to my courage, strength, and wisdom, I am open to the 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, October 15

Today is Friday, October 15, 2021. Using the middle of the month as a reminder to stop and see the beauty all around.

A quote from Aristotle, “In all things of nature, there is something of the marvelous.”

Photo by: Joey Huang

This October, the focus is on the integration of life experiences, staying equally connected to optimism, as to any other belief or attitude.

Optimism can be defined as cheerfulness or hopefulness about the future. Allowing time for optimism creates balance.

Identify one thing that you can do that can improve your understanding of the world around you. For example:

    • In a moment of strong emotion, pause and reflect on what is causing that strong emotion within.
    • When someone has a different answer or makes a different decision than you would, be curious. Deepen your wisdom by asking “why?”
    • When you encounter a new experience, capture what you can learn from it.
    • Be touched by other people’s experiences by reading, observing, listening, and sharing.

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.
  • Continuing the belly breathing, scan your body for tense areas that you can release on each exhalation.
  • On each breath cycle, allow that area to release tension as you allow those areas to refresh.

*Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:  

 “I am [*Name*].  I am open to the positive energy around me. As I connect to my courage, strength, and wisdom, I am open to new ideas and change.  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, October 11

Today is Monday, October 11, 2021. Walking along the quieter beach, the soft sand is cool and accommodating.

A quote from Gretel Erlich, “Everything in nature invites us constantly to be what we are.”

Photo by: Bertrand Borie

This October, the focus is on the integration of life experiences, staying equally connected to optimism, as to any other belief or attitude.

Optimism can be defined as cheerfulness or hopefulness about the future. Allowing time for optimism creates balance.

Identify one thing that you can do that can improve your physical comfort, more-so if repeated over time. For example:

    • Add a quick neck and spine stretch routine when you spend longer periods of time seated.
    • Adjust your access to workspace to promote a balanced posture.
    • Use a soothing moisturizing lotion on your dry skin.
    • Drink water to hydrate your body.
    • Move your body in a way that feels comfortable to you.
    • Experience water therapy by soaking in a tub, gliding in a pool or refreshing in a shower.

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.
  • Continuing the belly breathing, scan your body for tense areas that you can release on each exhalation.
  • On each breath cycle, allow that area to release tension as you allow those areas to refresh.

*Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:  

 “I am [*Name*].  I am open to the positive energy around me. As I connect to my courage, strength, and wisdom, I am open to new ideas and change.  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