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Intellectual Gratitude: the Symbolism of Doves During End of Life Practices
I began my walk to gratitude when learning of an illness in 2017. In 2023, a recurrence causes even deeper reflection on end of life choice. I continue to claim good health, but it’s time to think about necessary choices. Rather than feeling sad, I experience deep gratitude as I learn about symbolism behind choice.…
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The Emotion of Gratitude: Why It Is So Meaningful and Necessary In Our Lives
Last weekend a family held the hands of their beloved mother as she passed. It was a sacred moment. Through tears, they gave gratitude for mom’s parenting, joy, and deep spiritual teachings. The colors of the cloth around her neck represented memories from her grandchildren, children, and spouses. After the death of a loved one,…
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So Grateful to my Vet: I Was As Sick as a Dog, but Better Now
Hello again, Barley here. You may remember my April 20 message, DogGoneIt! I was so afraid to go to the Vet for surgery. But….. I am pleased to tell you that after oral surgery, surgery to remove a growth on my tongue, dialyses, a new renal prescription diet, plus two weeks of drugs, I am…
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DogGone It!
Hi. I’m Barley and I am worried. My mommy took me to the Vet this week and they took blood, and now I have to go to the Animal Hospital for two days, with fasting, IV, extra fluids, some oral surgery, and maybe more. My labs revealed kidney problems. Can you believe it? I want…
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Grateful For This Sacred Holiday Season
This is a holy season for many people. Today is a sacred day for many – Good Friday. In addition, Spring seems to have finally arrived. Joyfulness is in the air. People seem happy during their holiday shopping for meal planning. Spring break travel options are on the news frequently. The seasonal rains, winds, tornados,…
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Joy in Keeping Books Alive at THE LAST BOOKSTORE
Go to the Spring Arts Tower at 5th and Spring in Los Angeles to find more than 250,000 books positioned creatively in a variety of displays across two floors. As a pushback against e-books go and enjoy actual books, including rare books and VINYL records at one of the world’s largest independent bookstores (2005). Books…
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Joy in Discovering Historical Landmark in Los Angeles-Angels Flight Railway
Recently, I took a ride on the 122 year old funicular in Los Angeles from South Hill Street to South Grand Avenue on Bunker Hill. Opening in 1901, Angels Flight is the world’s shortest railway. Operating on a hillside by cable, the ascending and descending cars of the railroad are counterbalanced. Funiculars are different than…
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Grateful For Snow Capped Mountains
The mountains are beautiful this week in Southern California because of all the snow we had recently. It is an experience to love the snow while at the same time feeling frustrated with each closing of the roads, Yosemite, Lake Arrowhead, and more. Because of the recent snowfalls grocery stores are out of food, residents…
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Grateful for Clean Air
Watching the Ohio residents still in fear after the toxic chemical spill when the train derailed with so many hazardous materials (vinyl chloride, butyl acrylate, ethylhexyl acrylate, ethylene glycol mono butyl ether, and isobutylene) reminds us that our air is typically clean and safe for us to breathe and never worry about each day. This…
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Gratitude For Life
For the past week I have been watching the news regarding the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. The death toll has exceeded 35,000 people and growing. They estimate more than one million are displaced from their homes and that number is climbing. The threats from infected water, lack of food, and extremely cold temperatures continue…
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Intellectual Joy from Focus on Legacy
I find intellectual pleasure when focusing on ideals and principles. Words and concepts publicly adopted are crucial historically when such much later form the cornerstones for policies. Today, we celebrate Martin Luther King. On other days, we focus on religious leaders, or politicians, or particular men or women honored throughout history. What is meaningful to…
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Gratitude For Prayer
Recently a stranger approached me at a bakery and asked if she might pray for me. I said “sure” and then she asked if she might put her hand on me while praying. Again I said “sure” as I listened to particular words in her prayer with her young daughter looking up at me. It…
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