Tag: positivity

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 

Monday, March 15

Today is Monday, March 15, 2021.  The day after Daylight Savings Time changes, is National Nap Day. It is an unofficial holiday that recognizes the need for extra sleep after we “spring” forward. In most of the U.S., that day is today.

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.

There are lots of connections we can make: connections with nature, connections with acquaintances connections with coworkers, connections with friends and family.  Today, let’s consider ways we can connect with acquaintances on a daily basis.

    • Ask someone how their day is going?
    • Make eye contact.
    • Pay someone a compliment.
    • Actively listen.
    • Smile 😉
    • Hold a door open for someone.
    • Say good morning.

Photo by: Johannes Giez

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 Marianne Williamson, “You have to make space in your heart, in your mind, and in your life itself for authentic human connection.”

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 10

Today is Wednesday, March 10, 2021.  The sun feels warm as the brisk wind chills the skin.

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 on movement, and add in connection.

    • What physical activities are enjoyable to you and also connect you with loved ones, other people, pets, and/or nature? (walking, gardening, grooming, exercise class, preparing vegetables to share, outdoor exercise/sports, dancing, window shopping, exploring museum, volunteering, etc.)
    • How do you allow physical activities and connection to be a regular part of life?

Photo by: Dan Deziel, “Apricity” (a word from the 1600s meaning “warmth of the sun in winter”)

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 Vanda Scaravelli, “Movement is the song of the body.”

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.
    • Begin walking or tapping your foot.
    • Notice what your toes are feeling.
    • Working up from your toes, notice all of the muscles involved in that movement.
    • Smile.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Monday, March 8

Today is Monday, March 8, 2021.  Choosing a happy start to the week.

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 focus on movement.

    • Which physical movements feel good?
    • Putting aside barriers or limitations, what physical activities can you do?
    • How often?
    • How can you set yourself up so that you can increase the likelihood you will do those movements throughout this week? (workout music alarm clock, calendar reminders, sticky notes on TV screen, accountability friend, photo of loved one, socks and shoes by the door, chilled water bottle in the fridge, stand up desk, yoga mat next to workspace, etc.)
    • How can you monitor progress? (mark (streaks) on calendar, bead in a jar, snap a photo, journal, create success milestones, etc.)

Photo by: Hybrid

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 Nora Ishibashi, PhD, “Human beings, no matter where they live or what they think, want to be healthy and happy, and they want the people that they love to be healthy and happy.”

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.
    • Begin walking or tapping your foot.
    • Notice what your toes are feeling.
    • Working up from your toes, notice all of the muscles involved in that movement.
    • Smile.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Friday, March 5

Today is Friday, March 5, 2021.  Being still, quiet, seeing the glow on the horizon begin. Another day to make a difference.

Finding meaning this March. March marks the one-year mark for the Daily Gift of Vitality (DGoV).  Being curious offers opportunities to explore meaning. This week, we offer prompts for journaling, to unleash your curiosity to find meaning.

    • When do you bring joy to someone else’s life?
    • When have you felt the most joyful?
    • How did you participate to allow that joy?
    • Who helped you share or amplify that joy?

Photo by: Susan Chubinskaya, PhD

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.”

Alison Cardy’s inspirational quote, “Time and again, I’ve seen people make the most progress when they combine their knowledge of themselves with real world actions.”

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.
  • Imagine your head is gently supporting and dangling your neck and shoulders.
  • Notice your shoulders release and your posture straighten.
  • Glide with a relaxed torso as you walk with head high, and shoulders and neck free.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Wednesday, March 3

Today is Wednesday, March 3, 2021.  Going for a walk, shaking off the chill, putting an extra bounce in every step. Working it out.

Finding meaning this March. March marks the one-year mark for the Daily Gift of Vitality (DGoV).  Being curious offers opportunities to explore meaning. This week, we offer prompts for journaling, to unleash your curiosity to find meaning. Complete any or all of these “I feel” sentences to consider what matters to you:

    • I feel most alive when …
    • I feel super passionate about …
    • I feel most activated when …
    • I feel the most accomplished when …
    • I feel most playful when …
    • I feel extremely proud when …
    • I feel most grateful for …
    • I feel most charitable when …
    • I feel deeply calm when …
    • I feel the most love when …

Photo by: Susan Chubinskaya, PhD

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 Kelly Rudolph, “You don’t have to own the boat; you just have to go for a sail.”

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.
    • Imagine your head is gently supporting and dangling your neck and shoulders.
    • Notice your shoulders release and your posture straighten.
    • Glide with a relaxed torso as you walk with head high, and shoulders and neck free.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Monday, March 1

Today is Monday, March 1, 2021.  Start of the week, taking time to pause and look at the sky, look at any trees, shrubs, plants around, noticing the details.

Finding meaning this March. March marks the one-year mark for the Daily Gift of Vitality (DGoV).  Being curious offers opportunities to explore meaning. This week, we offer prompts for journaling, to unleash your curiosity to find meaning.

    • What were some of the most important events in your life that had a positive impact on you or someone else?
    • What made those moments important to you?
    • What made it possible?

Photo by: Pascal Debrunner

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.”

Consider the inspirational quote by Khalil Gibran, “Progress is not in enhancing what is, but in advancing toward what will be.”

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.
    • Imagine your head is gently supporting and dangling your neck and shoulders.
    • Notice your shoulders release and your posture straighten.
    • Glide with a relaxed torso as you walk with head high, and shoulders and neck free.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Friday, February 26

Today is Friday, February 26, 2021.  The full moon in February is called the” Snow Moon”.

An inspirational quote by Marcus Aurelius Antoninus.  “Very little is needed to make a happy life: it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.”

February Feelings. While this month can – at times – feel cold in places where it is winter, inside, we can be warmed by happiness and joy. 

Laughter improves the function of the mind and body. It connects people and relaxes the body.  It often causes others to smile and laugh too. Allow yourself daily doses of laughter. Keep a list of what makes you laugh. It may be humorous people, animals, visual images, memes, cartoons, audio or video clips, photos, books, autocorrected text messages, memories, and stories. Sometimes, laughter is a natural part of the day. Other times, you can deliberately turn to those things that make you laugh out loud.

Photo by Catrina Farrell

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.   
  • Explore a Loving Kindness Practice
  • Find a comfortable position.
    • Take several calming belly breaths.
    • Repeat positive phrases towards yourself.
      • May I be happy.
      • May I be healthy.
      • May I be peaceful.
      • May I be strong.
      • May I be confident.
    • Smile to yourself.

Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:    

“I am [*Name*]. I am doing what I can. I am open to myself and others, and I belong to a global community. I appreciate 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 including me. We are all connected. Together, we can do great things.”

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

 

Wednesday, February 24

Today is Wednesday, February 24, 2021.  When outside, do you notice any different color palettes?  Has the snow brought a peaceful silence?  Are there any animals scurrying about?

An inspirational quote by Mark Twain.  “The best way to cheer yourself up is to try and cheer somebody else up.”

February Feelings. While this month can – at times – feel cold in places where it is winter, inside, we can be warmed by happiness and joy.

Staying connected with friends, family, and community can spark happiness.

      • Reach out to friends and family you have not spoken to for a while, call or send a note.
      • Smile to people.
      • Volunteer.
      • Be fully present during conversations.
      • Send or drop off a care package for someone.

Photo by Hans-Jurgen Mager

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.
  • Explore a Loving Kindness Practice
    • Find a comfortable position.
    • Take several calming belly breaths.
    • Repeat positive phrases towards yourself.
      • May I be happy.
      • May I be healthy.
      • May I be peaceful.
      • May I be strong.
      • May I be confident.
    • Smile to yourself.

 Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:    

“I am [*Name*]. I am doing what I can. I am open to myself and others, and I belong to a global community. I appreciate 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 including me. We are all connected. Together, we can do great things.”

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Monday, February 22

Today is Monday, February 22, 2021.  While we are dreaming of warmer weather in the North, February is a great time to start planning your summer garden.

An inspirational quote by Samuel Taylor Colridge.  “The happiness of life is made up of the little charities of a kiss or smile, a kind look, a heartfelt compliment.”

February Feelings. While this month can – at times – feel cold in places where it is winter, inside, we can be warmed by happiness and joy.

Pause to appreciate the goodness that surrounds you.

      • Keep a gratitude journal.
      • Verbalize gratitude to others.
      • Replay happy memories.
      • After waking in the morning think of one thing you are grateful for.
      • Tell someone you work with, what you appreciate about them.

Photo by: Fran Lee

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.
  • Explore a Loving Kindness Practice
    • Find a comfortable position.
    • Take several calming belly breaths.
    • Repeat positive phrases towards yourself.
        • May I be happy.
        • May I be healthy.
        • May I be peaceful.
        • May I be strong.
        • May I be confident.
    • Smile to yourself.

Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:    

“I am [*Name*]. I am doing what I can. I am open to myself and others, and I belong to a global community. I appreciate 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 including me. We are all connected. Together, we can do great things.”

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP