On April 21, 2017 my life changed when I learned I would probably die. During these past nearly four years, I took a journey through healing, searching for wellness alternatives, multiple surgeries, modifying my diet, changing my lifestyle, and learning about health and wellness practices around the globe. During that journey, I focused on aspirational and inspirational messages for others who also had serious illnesses. As an educator, I hoped to share what I was learning along the way. Toward the goal of healing for myself as well as others, to date I have created 25 videos and put them on YouTube for others to view. You may view those videos if you wish to learn the particulars of my healing. The Hero’s Journey in Aspiring Through Healing to Health and Wellness.

But, along the way, I will never forget one day while I was visiting with a health care professional at UCLA around about 2018 or 2019, I was informed that she was a mandated reporter and would have to report any thing I told her. At that moment I paused and said, “What did you say?” She replied, ” I am a mandated reporter, and have to report you today!” I remember that I laughed out loud, and said, ” I am not depressed. I am not suicidal. In fact, I am happy! I am extremely happy that I am here today with you and constantly finding new resources!!!!!” It had taken me more than a year to find her office at UCLA. After listening to my story for over an hour, she said “Would you summarize yourself as having Gratitude?” I replied “Yes!!!!!”. I left her office and did not return.

Thus, after nearly four years of focusing on healing and health and wellness, I have decided deliberately to change my pathway in 2021 to begin to blog, to begin to post frequent messages, to focus on simply “Gratitude”. I am over the moon to wake up each day and observe little moments, and participate in life’s events, and experience the good and the bad of life. In fact, I believe that gratitude multiples as you discover and uncover it. Hence, the name of this blog, “Gratitude Squared”, as, in the case of gratitude, I have found that it grows and grows and grows and fills your soul, your entire being each and every day!

In essence, I am blessed to have experienced healing, to recognize inspirations from many, many people; to feel well daily; and to aspire to “pay it forward” to encourage and assist others to find their joy! My sincere thanks to each of you for your support and participation in this mission.

This is #gratitudelite. See post on February 28, 2021 for definitions of categories of gratitude.