Category Archives: location/place

Joy in Learning About Other Religions – Hindu

The Malibu Hindu Temple is nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains, located on 5 acres (close to Malibu Creek State Park) near Calabasas, CA (1600 Las Virgenes Canyon Road, 91302) and just a short drive from Los Angeles. It was built in 1981 and is considered one of the finest examples of a Hindu Temple in the USA. It is a significant Southern CA landmark and is free and open to the public (check the web site for exact hours, days, seasons). It is a great day trip and I recommend it highly. Please find multiple photos taken at this site.

It was interesting to note that Hinduism is the world’s oldest religion, dating back more than 4,000 years. Today it is the third-largest religion after Christianity and Islam. Hindu concepts, beliefs, celebrations, food preferences, worship practices, and prayer actions may be furthered studied at multiple sites such as: Hindu concepts Hinduwebsite.com

A site I found particularly straightforward and easy to understand was:

5 things to know about visiting a Hindu temple

There are many Hindu Centers around the USA. This particular Temple was special as at the entrance (where all must remove their shoes out of respect) is a large statement as noted on the stone in the photo below:

This Temple belongs to the Hindu Community of America. It Symbolizes Their Devotion to God and Dedication to the Spiritual Uplift of Humanity.

I found JOY in visiting a place dedicated to UPLIFTING Humanity. Therefore I feel gratitude to Hindus for sharing their religion in such a beautiful location with everyone who wishes to visit.

#gratitudeultra

So Happy That City of Hope Builds Hopeful Foundation

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My motivation to start posting about gratitude originated from an illness that began in 2017. Now, six years later, I am grateful to be alive because of wonderful doctors at various hospitals. Recently, the City of Hope broke ground to build a new hospital closer to my home, targeted to open in 2025. My goal is to have treatments in that hospital in 2025 and long after.

A week ago, after labs and a visit with my doctor, I stepped outside to enjoy a cup of coffee, and was so pleased to discover that a huge ceiling beam had been positioned on the ground, with pens and instructions, inviting patients to sign and write an uplifting message on the beam. These messages will be built into the Foundation of Orange County’s only specialty cancer hospital to be completed by Summer of 2025. As one of their patients, I am thrilled to know that my note of gratitude will be embedded forever within the new hospital.

With deep gratitude, I recognize the outstanding missions of the City of Hope to provide HOPE, HEALING, Peace, Knowledge of best practices, and inclusion in every way possible to their patients. So joyful to receive treatments within the COH network.

#gratitudelite

Joy in Keeping Books Alive at THE LAST BOOKSTORE

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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 offer so many benefits:

transport us to delightful experiences and lands
provide entertainment for individuals
teach us about new subjects and topics
remind us about our and other histories
introduce us to new ideas and concepts
challenge us regarding our current beliefs and value systems
offer us spiritual guidance so that we may find peace and understanding

I love to touch old books – the tactile experience is great. I love the smell of the pages in old books, as well as the worn pages from readers’ fingers before me. I do not get those sensory experiences from e-books.

The owner of The Last Bookstore has creatively displayed the thousands of books throughout the bookstore – as wall hangings, as a lighted tunnel, as walls, the torn and crumpled pages are displayed as a bush in a pot, as interesting windows through which one may peer and discover, and more.

I found great joy in the visit to The Last Bookstore. Go and check it out! Enjoy, with gratitude.

#gratitudelite

Joy in Discovering Historical Landmark in Los Angeles-Angels Flight Railway

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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 cable cars as there are two cars on a steep hill on two opposite cables. As one goes up, the other goes down.

Check out my photos capturing some of the history of this Railway. See how it is hidden within the modern city of Los Angeles. I’m grateful to discover this old gem and take a round trip ride for only $2. You should try it too!

#gratitudelite

Grateful For Snow Capped Mountains

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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 can not shovel out of the multiple feet of snow. It gives one mixed feelings… like the contrast of words “Beauty and the Beast”.

This historical snowfall will be remembered in California for the beauty it produced, causing all busy Californians to pause and look up, and be grateful for the snow capped mountains.

#gratitudelite

Grateful for Clean Air

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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 train accident, the burning of the chemicals, and countless residents begging for help for their children breaks my heart daily.

Imagine a time when you don’t feel safe to open your windows, go outside for a walk or run, or let your children play on a playground or community park! Consider the fear of serious illnesses in the future when the trail accident is long forgotten. Remember many people have COPD and asthma, or are on oxygen.

Our air is taken for granted by most of us. With this train accident, we are reminded to be grateful for the clean air all around us. Don’t take air for granted! People in war, near toxic waste dumps, next to accidents with chemicals, those working in large companies dealing with a variety of types of chemical use, or who are near city dumps, can not afford to take air for granted, yet they do everyday, without choice. They are forced to live in the air around them. They constantly advocate for cleaner, safer air for their loved ones. Sometimes they are successful; sometimes not. Many suffer the consequences many years later with poor health, and serious illnesses.

Don’t take air for granted! Be grateful for clean air!

#gratitudelite

Begin YOUR Climb to a Joyful Life on #MicheltorenaHeartStairs, With Gratitude

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My dear friend introduced this hidden staircase in Los Angeles, in the Silverlake neighborhood, as I set new goals for my life. Standing at the bottom of the staircase, I noted there were 40 steps to the top. The number 40 is a special number for life, so my goal is to move up the staircase one step at a time as I reach new goals.How ’bout YOU? I encourage you to climb for joy as well.

Those of you following my postings know that I believe in serendipity. As we drove away from the #Micheltorena neighborhood, we talked about all the special relationships we discovered during our visit. For example:

Soon I will have a procedure to insert a #port near my HEART! How lovely to see the #hearts on the stairs as well as to climb up the #HEARTSTAIRS! So cool!
If one reflects upon this location from a SPIRITUAL perspective, you might focus on the number 40, and recall one story of Jesus who was alone for 40 days before he was crucified. Now I am focusing on 40 day events, whether scriptural, social, weather related etc. I have found that when alone, I reflect on life deeply and find peace. As I am about to begin chemo, deep reflection is my thing these days.
Importantly, because of the visit to the #HeartStairs, I am making a list of 40 objectives for health and life to build a bucket list. Starting on such today…
If one visits this neighborhood as a SOCIAL goal, you will learn that this spot is nearly the most posted photo on social media (#Instagram). Something HERE is very special and attractive, drawing people to this space. I wonder why?
As a dog lover, I enjoyed a cup of coffee at the #MuddyPawCoffeShop in Silverlake, a couple of shops down from the #HeartStairs. Their motto is, #Have A Cup, Save A Pup. The proceeds from all purchases at this coffeeshop help to rescue pups. See the photos below which capture the lovely outdoor dining area for owners and their dogs. How wonderful, at least I think so, to find a special spot for me and my pup!

So,… I invite you to check out this location online or in person. Join with me as we climb to our joyful lives in the future.

As always, BE GRATEFUL and LIVE YOUR LIFE to the FULLEST!

#MuddyPawCoffeeShop #HaveACupSaveAPup #SilverlakeCA #LosAngeles

#gratitudeultra

Joy in Discovering Vermonica in Los Angeles

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Did you know that LA had more than 400 different types of streetlights, having one of the most diverse streetlight ecosystems in the country? Yep. This was true.

However, with changes overtime came new lighting structures and the old unique lamps were taken away and replaced, and discarded.

BUT Sheila Klein, an artist, collected 25 of the vintage lamps and created Vermonica (at the insertion of Vermont Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard). Vermonica has been called an “urban candelabra” capturing dozens of LA neighborhoods and 70 years of lighting history. The 25 older lamps still light each evening – a beautiful sight, thanks to the efforts of Klein.

Go check the lights out, or google it online at la.curbed.com. I was pleased to recently learn this history of LA lighting, including the Urban Light exhibit (202 lamps from 1910-1930) at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

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