Tag: reflection

Sunday, January 21

Today is Sunday, January 21, 2024. Traveling to new places.

DGoV (Daily Gift of Vitality) Activity: Systematically adding positive into life. Notice something new and pleasant in your life that you didn’t have in your life last month. A new person you met, a new flavor you tried, a new concept you learned, a new photo you took, a new song you like. How can you continue to add “new and pleasant” into your life? What do you do to make that happen?  

A quote by A.A. Milne, “Weeds are flowers too, once you get to know them.”

Thank you to Nicole Siparsky, MD for sharing this photo, “Jardin Botanico, Mexico.”

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Sunday, December 31

Today is Sunday, December 31, 2023. The last day of the year. A time to pause and reflect.

DGoV (Daily Gift of Vitality) Activity: This week, you get to start fresh. Reflect on what you have learned in the past year. Writing it down is helpful. Then turn the page to start your new year.

Set your aspirations, for the year. Remember to include the real reason this aspiration is important to you. This is about setting the course in the direction you’d like to go, big picture and remembering your why. Write everything down so you can return to it when you find yourself distracted or off track.

While the path forward may need to change throughout the year, you can continue to make progress by returning the focus to your aspirations for the year. Aspirations stay constant even when the goals and the path towards those goals may change due to changing circumstances.

Pull out a fresh calendar and every day that you state your intentions out loud, or take action towards your aspirations, give yourself a win and mark it on the calendar.  

A quote by Susan Sontag, “Pay attention. It’s all about paying attention. Attention is vitality. It connects you with others. It makes you eager. Stay eager.”

Thank you to Nicole Siparsky, MD for sharing this photo, “Sunset Lake Michigan in Winter.”

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Sunday, July 30

Today is Sunday, July 30, 2023. Appreciating when one door closes, another opens.  

DGoV (Daily Gift of Vitality) Activity: A self reflection question, “What is one thing you can do now, that would possibly open up to new opportunities for current and/or future happiness for you?” 

A quote by Robert Redford, “Problems can become opportunities when the right people come together.”

Thank you to Nazrin Babashova for sharing this photo.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Saturday, June 24

Today is Saturday, June 24, 2023. Reflecting with a compassionate heart helps learning and personal growth.

DGoV (Daily Gift of Vitality) Activity: Last week, if you were writing things down, look back at where your mind was at those times you chose to jot down some notes.

Now, whether you wrote things down last week or not, write, “Current Reflections” at the top of the next sheet and write down everything on your mind right now. Some of it may be influenced from last week or maybe not.

Finally, write, “Upcoming Week” and write your thoughts about this week coming up. It might be a to do list, your schedule, what you hope for, what you want to accomplish, or just what is on your mind. Let your mind get oriented to the week and let it be comfortable.

A quote by Flannery O’Connor, “I write to discover what I know.”

Thank you to K8 for sharing this photo.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Saturday, June 17

Today is Saturday, June 17, 2023. Sometimes, it helps to write everything down. Maybe today is that day.

DGoV (Daily Gift of Vitality) Activity: This week, practice writing things down. When something comes up, jot it down somewhere you can find it later. It might be something you have to remember, that you want to remember, or something you have to do later. Sometimes, you just have a thought or feeling that needs to be parked somewhere to rest your mind. Write it down. Later, look it over and see what you collected.

A quote by Robert Louis Stevenson, “I kept always two books in my pocket, one to read, one to write in.”

Thank you to Anja Bauermann for sharing this photo.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Friday, June 2

Today is Friday, June 2, 2023. Everyday is something new. We start today by simplifying.

DGoV (Daily Gift of Vitality) Activity: This week, start each day with a reflection. Reflect on what is going right, what is working well, what is progress. Write it down so you can return to it and read it in the future.

A quote by Christopher Moore, “Children see magic because they look for it.”

Thank you to Nico Knaack for sharing this photo.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Monday, December 19

Today is Monday, December 19, 2022. Noticing that the birdhouse is occupied.

A quote by Ernest Hemingway, “Courage is grace under pressure.”

Photo by: Stefania Tolin

December marks progress through another year. This is a time for reflection, appreciation, and grace. Start the week reflecting on those people or events that may have rekindled your spark.  Consider reaching out to those who have re-energized you and share with them your appreciation.

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. 
  • Focus your attention on your right great toe. Tap it up and down.
  • Shift your focus to your right elbow and notice where your elbow is.
  • Glide your focus to the center of your chest and breathe in peace and breathe out what you no longer need.
  • Continue to breathe in peace and breathe out what you no longer need, for as long as you like.
  • Smile when you are ready to move forward.

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 

Friday, December 16

Today is Friday, December 16, 2022. Starting the day humming today. Preparing for a day focusing on love and joy.

A quote by Victor Hugo, “when grace is joined with wrinkles, it is adorable. There is an unspeakable dawn in happy old age.”

Photo by: Anastasia Nelen

December marks the end of another year. This is a time for reflection, appreciation, and grace.

Giving yourself grace allows you the space to take a step back if needed to reassess your expectations.  Are there any changes you would like to make; do you need to step back and adjust your goals?

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. 

Experience an Affirmation meditation:

  • Find a comfortable position in bed, 
  • Repeat your affirmation: My body is calm, my mind is at ease, I breathe in goodness, I exhale peace [or choose your own affirmation].

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 

Monday September 5

Today is Monday September 5, 2022. Lounging with loved ones, so grateful.

A quote by Elbert Hubbard, “A little more persistence, a little more effort, and what seemed hopeless failure may turn to glorious success.”

Photo by Matt Davey

September, marks change and the final third of the year. It’s a great time of year to check in with yourself.

Reflect back to your resolutions and aspirations for the year and check in at the present time and appreciate 3 things. Thinking ahead, consider what does it look like and feel like to be moving forward.

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. 
  • Advance the healing power of deep breathing with Box Breathing (Sama Vritti Pranayama). This technique is used by the Navy Seals for focus.
  • Breathe in through your nose for a count of 4. Try to feel the breath in your nose.
  • Hold your breath for a count of 4.
  • Exhale for a count of 4.
  • Hold for a count of 4.
  • You can change the duration of breathing, holding and exhaling to your comfort zone.

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, January 12

Today is Wednesday, January 12, 2022.  Midweek, getting in the groove.

A quote by astronaut Chris Hadfield, “Life is full of so many small, unexpected pleasures, not just in space but right here on Earth, and I think I see them more clearly now than I used to because microgravity insists you pay attention.”

Photo by: Nicole Siparsky, MD, Boats off the coast of St. Martin at Sunset

With the launch of the New Year, for the month of January, we focus on clarifying and connecting with our vision for 2022. 

A vision that shows you the future you want, can recharge your hope and excitement when you tap into it.  It can provide you with encouragement to achieve goals, offer something to cling to when you experience fear, and provide a sense of pride when you see your vision manifest. This month, we enhance our vision for our personal life and our relationships.

Let’s spend this week reflecting on our vision of health for 2022. Ask yourself:

    • What or who causes me to laugh out loud?
    • What or who makes me feel great about myself?
    • What or who is so special and holds a special place in my heart?
    • What or who do I appreciate?
    • What or who adds positivity in 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.
      • Massage your left hand starting with your palms, then work your way to the ends of each finger.
      • Massage your right hand the same way.
      • Clasp your hands together, then release and shake out your hands and let your hands be loose.

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 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