Author Archives: Gratitude Squared

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About Gratitude Squared

I’m Mary and write on my blog, Gratitude Squared. I prefer creativity with artistry sprinkled with bits of philosophy, previously a university scholar, compassionate for others, and deeply involved in advocacy and inclusion for human rights for people with disabilities. In 2017, I was diagnosed with a serious illness and prepared to die. However, nearly five years later I am very alive and extremely grateful to see life’s joys daily. Even with a recurrence in 2022, I love sharing aspirational and inspirational messages, and want to help you find your own gratitude. Thank you for going along this journey.

Gratitude For Nature’s Beauty

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When life feels stressful I like to go outside and walk or drive and breathe in nature’s beauty. I have many family members and friends right now who are experiencing extreme stress with breakups in relationships, serious health problems, consequences from the virus, fear of going outside, and on and on. Today, I want to share some beautiful photos to give you peace and calm, and harmony with nature.

During trying times, practicing gratitude helps me. I hope these photos help you to focus on something beyond your immediate issues.

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Grateful For Each Family Member

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These times are tough. The virus is disrupting our lives. Many people are troubled with serious, deadly illnesses. Years of relationships are breaking up. People are in pain.

When I look at this old family photo, I am reminded that the entire back/top row of my family is already gone. They have passed away. Only myself and my brother (in bottom row) remain. How does that make me feel? Sad, but reflective on life. What have I done with my life? Have I been a helpful, loving member of my family as well as my community, and society? With my remaining years, how might I become more giving, helpful, a better listener to all others, more contributing, kinder, more sensitive to “hear” the pains and frustrations of others, more understanding, more selfless, more decisive in helping other persons move through their various pains of life with illness or with loved ones?

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Grateful for Gentle Giant Dog Friend

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I have an amazing dog, Augustino, who believes he’s a lap dog. He can change from a loving puppy to an alert, protective watch dog in an instant. His DNA kicks in to guard his owner and property, yet with me he is playful, fast on his fast, loves to play ball, and entertain himself for hours with toys and a bucket. In the swimming pool, he pulls me to safety whenever I leave the side of the pool. He is simply pure joy and affection each and every day.

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I’m Grateful For Sunglasses

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I love to people watch at the beach as often as possible. But, the California sunshine is sometimes too bright so I have to close my eyes. Lately, I solved my problem with these sunglasses and hat.

Thank God for this discovery. Now I can continue to people watch all day long!

Even dogs have gratitude!

#gratitudezero

Give Gratitude For Trees

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Two very old mature Palm Trees were removed from the neighborhood yesterday. It was a big event. People took photos and made movies as the old trees came down. It was sort of sad somehow as these two trees had filled the sky for many years.

I looked up the subject of “trees” and how they contribute to our lives in honor of these old friends:

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Gratitude Is An Emotion Causing One To Give

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Currently I have so many people around me who are seriously ill: a dear friend with blood cancer, and large masses throughout all the organs in her chest; a relative about to have a permanent peg feeding tube (never to eat or drink by mouth again); a friend about to have a double mastectomy; a relative needing to repair a cleft palate again so he may eat normally; and so it goes with so many various and differing health problems. My reaction to each of these individuals is “what might I do to help you?” “What might I say to provide support and encouragement to you?” Personally, I am not sure that I have the proper background and knowledge to offer help, yet they contact me regularly so perhaps my “listening” to their fears and anxieties is of some assistance.

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Gratitude, The Brain, Morality, Group Behavior

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Those of you following my posts will note that I love to study gratitude in addition to feeling it and watching others practice and talk about being grateful. The study of gratitude will take years to fully understand all the dimensions, traits, and states. My purpose is to excite you, influence your thinking, invite you to reflect, and please you with various examples of joyful gratitude. Once in a while I will take you a bit deeper into an understanding of what it means to be grateful. Today is such a posting, which is why I label this particular blog as #gratitudeultra.

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Gratitude For Water

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Water serves so many different purposes in our life. Sometimes I think we take it for granted. We know that we need water for life! Water is important in religious ceremonies. Water is necessary in sanitation. Water is important for our health. Water gives us pleasure through swimming, boating, surfing, fishing, and much more. I feel so much gratitude for water!

This video focuses on the soothing sounds of the ocean waves for our gratitude moment for today. This author has commented in other earlier YOUTUBE videos on the believed healing properties for water. There are links to the earlier videos below.

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Practice Gratitude During Stressful Times

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I spend most of my time listening to people complain these days. No doubt there is more uncertainty than I ever remember in my life. People can not easily vacation, or travel, or plan to see other family members and friends. Some people are wearing masks again, others refuse to do so. The news is uncertain about the Covid viruses. School may or may not return to normal this year. People have lost their jobs. Other people do not want to work because they need to stay home with their children or they prefer to receive support from the government. The weather is hot and humid and the wild fires are starting again. Some people would say “life sucks”. So why would I expect anyone to practice gratitude?

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