Tag: sharing

Friday, July 1

Today is Friday, July 1, 2022.  Recognizing the sound of the cardinal singing cheerfully and finding the red bird in the branches.

A quote by Andre Pough Sr., “Just when you think you know exactly how it’s going, some unexpected possibility shows up and it begins to get even better.’

Photo by Jen DeVos

July is for sharing.  The act of sharing offers many health benefits.  When we give to others it has a positive effect on our brain.  Sharing allows us to connect more meaningfully and strengthens social connections.  For some, the first week of July is a holiday celebrated with friends and family.  For the beginning of July let’s explore ways to share our culture.

    • Consider researching your family tree
    • Reach out to a family “elder” to share their memories of the family or family history
    • Host/attend a family reunion
    • Take a trip to where your grandparents were born

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.
    • Thinking of your physical body as your home, where you reside, think of deep breathing as like opening the windows on a bright sunny day with a nice breeze.
    • Become aware of how every breath that fills your body is like having wide open windows, filling your home with fresh, clean air and every breath out clears out and releases so that your home is a refreshed space for you to be in.
    • Experience the happy moment of being in your clean, refreshed home.
    • Smile, knowing that you can take moments to open and be present in this space, anywhere you are. Your body is your home.

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, March 7

Today is Monday, March 7, 2022. Appreciating the first appearance of perennial plants and their gift of regeneration.

A quote by Amelia Earhart, “Never interrupt someone doing something you said couldn’t be done.”

Photo from Ronda Kimbrow

March is about opening up and fresh starts. This month, is about dreaming, planning, and setting up. Using gardening as analogy for living life, consider:

    • As we often do this time of year in preparing for our spring plantings, we share seeds with fellow gardeners. What else can we share with others?
    • What can I do now, that would enhance life in the next season?
    • Could I do something now, that will prepare for something even better then?

Use this Mindfulness Activity to Re-energize your Body and Mind whenever you need it – while waiting, before, after, or in 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 breath, imagine a beautiful mountain. Envision all the details you can, how stable it is, how it is grounded in the earth, its strength.

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 Love 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 

Rush University   

http://www.DailyGiftOfVitality.com

Friday, April 30

Today is Friday, April 30, 2021. The water flows, the grass is green, there are flowers everywhere and active animals making the most of it.

Ascending through April. Sharing experiences of joy can bring about a shared smile. Enjoy it together.

      • Share a favorite photo. Add a quote or story or caption.
      • Share a new taste experience via a recipe, tea, spice.
      • Share a favorite book or movie or game.
      • Share a funny story.
      • Share an accomplishment or reason for celebration.
      • Share a new favorite restaurant or shop.
      • Share a simple greeting to check in with a colleague, classmate, friend, loved one.

Photo by: Hans Isaacson

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 Mae Jemison, “Never limit yourself because of others’ limited imagination; never limit others because of your own limited imagination.”

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.
    • If you want to release tension, try the STOP technique taught in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) courses.
      • Stop
      • Take a Breath
      • Open and Observe
      • Proceed

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Wednesday, April 28

Today is Wednesday, April 28, 2021. The days continue to get longer in the north and it seems to be adding more uplifting moments.

Ascending through April. Share something special- that you have created- with those you interact with often.

    • Prepare a family recipe and share it with your group at work, school, or home.
    • Draw or paint or sculpt something meaningful and put it out on display in a common area.
    • Share a video or audio recording you have created.
    • Send a copy of something you have written.
    • Knit, crochet, or sew an item for the group.

Photo by: Gonzalo Facello

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 Erma Bombeck, “It takes a lot of courage to show your dreams to someone else.”

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.
    • If you want to release tension, try the STOP technique taught in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) courses.
      • Stop
      • Take a Breath
      • Open and Observe
      • Proceed

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Monday, April 26

Today is Monday, April 26, 2021. Birds can be so free and they choose to stay connected with each other.

Ascending through April. Sharing creates deeper connections that can be health promoting. Exchange ideas, suggestions, resources that you have found add positively to your life.

    • Join or start a (gardening, book, robotics, cooking, exercise, etc.) club to expand your circle and get new ideas, learn new techniques, meet people with similar interests.
    • Collect a list of recommended books or podcasts in various categories.
    • Introduce someone to a hobby you enjoy – coloring, knitting, playing an instrument, coding, ballroom dancing, herb gardening.
    • Establish a recipe bank for everyone to chip into – favorites, types of food, meal types, etc.
    • Invite others to philanthropic events or charities or opportunities to volunteer.

Photo by: Alexander Schimmeck

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 Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, “Love does not dominate, it cultivates.”

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.
    • If you want to release tension, try the STOP technique taught in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) courses.
      • Stop
      • Take a Breath
      • Open and Observe
      • Proceed

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP