Gratitude breaks the spell of Writers Block |
Staring at a blank page is like staring into a snowfield. The snow, untouched by civilization and unmarked by living creatures, blinds you for a few minutes, it glistens reflecting subtle shades of pure white and rainbows at odd angles. If you stare at the snow too long, you get lost in the interplay of light and shadow. As the day wears on, you become awestruck at the beauty of the snow's perfection. You marvel at the way an oak tree cast its ebony shadow across the pure white snow. You watch the tree's shadow change, grow and shrink, as Earth turns and the sun moves from morning to evening. If you stand out in the snow too long without moving, you risk snow bite or freezing. If you are fortunate, a red fox will walk across your line of sight. The fox will leave his footprints written in the snowfield. As you watch the fox move, the spell holding you in one spot staring at the snow is broken. You are free to go inside out of the cold and out of danger. I must say, writing 500 words a day isn't difficult, unless I'm attempting to write on a single subject. On Monday, October 28, 2013, I began posting my weekly goals at "Weekly Goals" ![]() "O SON OF BEING! Bring thyself to account each day ere thou art summoned to a reckoning; for death, unheralded, shall come upon thee and thou shalt be called to give account for thy deeds." Bah'u'll'h The Hidden Words of Bah'u'll'h, Part I.'From the Arabic, #31, page 11 'Heinlein's Rules for Writers Rule One: You Must Write Rule Two: Finish What Your Start Rule Three: You Must Refrain From Rewriting, Except to Editorial Order Rule Four: You Must Put Your Story on the Market Rule Five: You Must Keep it on the Market until it has Sold' Robert A. Heinlein It is enjoined upon every one of you to engage in some form of occupation, such as crafts, trades and the like. We have graciously exalted your engagement in such work to the rank of worship unto God, the True One. Ponder ye in your hearts the grace and the blessings of God and render thanks unto Him at eventide and at dawn. Waste not your time in idleness and sloth. Occupy yourselves with that which profiteth yourselves and others. Thus hath it been decreed in this Tablet from whose horizon the day-star of wisdom and utterance shineth resplendent. Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah Revealed After the Kitab-i-Aqdas, Pages 21-29: gr 32 I changed the way I did entries in this book several times. Beginning on March 21, 2018 the entries will cover the topics of spiritual, inspirational, and religions. However, the genres it will be under are Women's, Inspirational, and Spiritual with a tag of Religious. |
Istijlál (Majesty), 16 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Thursday, October 31, 2019 October1 Another cold October draws to an end, and I make another attempt to let go. It's the time of year when sad memories return, like a cold autumn wind, to make me wonder about what might have been. Gratitude List for 16 ‘Ilm Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 13 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Monday, October 28, 2019 Twin Birthdays2 The birthdays of The Bab and Baha'u'llah, celebrated consecutively proclaim the unity of humanity. Gratitude List for 13 ‘Ilm Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 12 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Sunday, October 27, 2019 A Cold Autumn Day3 On a cold autumn day when the wind chill factor freezes the marrow in your bones warmth is a bowl of hot soup. Gratitude List for 12 ‘Ilm Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 10 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Friday, October 25, 2019 Gratitude List for 10 ‘Ilm Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Jalál (Glory), 11 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Saturday, October 26, 2019 Gratitude List for 11 ‘Ilm Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Istijlál (Majesty), 9 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Thursday, October 24, 2019 I Need a Change of Scenery4 I need a change of scenery, a change of pace, something to get my creative juices flowing. Gratitude List for 9 ‘Ilm Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 7 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, October 22, 2019 Gratitude List for 7 ‘Ilm Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ‘Idál (Justice), 8 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, October 23, 2019 School is out for the Day5 School is out for the day, the neighborhood children are ready to play. They walk past my door laughing and talking happy to be home before sunset. Gratitude List for 8 ‘Ilm Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 5 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Sunday, October 20, 2019 Gratitude List for 5 ‘Ilm Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() Kamál (Perfection), 6 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Monday, October 21, 2019 It Must Be the Season6 It must be the season, memories of my Grandmother have returned bring tears to my eyes and making me crave pumpkin pies. Gratitude List for 6 ‘Ilm Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 4 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Saturday, October 19, 2019 To Know God7 The goal of my soul is to know and love God, but how can I, a creature of matter know that which is pure spirit. Knowledge of God comes to me and the rest of humanity through God' Manifestations who in this age are The Bab and Baha'u'llah. Gratitude List for 4 ‘Ilm Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 3 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Friday, October 18, 2019 God's New Day: To The Bab8 Darkness conspires to conceal the light of dawn behind the charcoal clouds of hate. Dawn comes its light turns the clouds scarlet and awakens the birds of morning. Gratitude List for 3 ‘Ilm Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 2 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Thursday, October 17, 2019 Meditation at Midnight9 In the silence of midnight, When there is only starlight, Illuminating the Earth, I look with my inner sight, To see if there is anything I have to put right. Gratitude List for 2 ‘Ilm Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
‘Idál (Justice), 1 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, October 16, 2019 Feast of Knowledge What Will I Write?10 What will I write today? Will I write a poem or a rant? Will I write prose or an essay? My muse has gone AWL, left for part unknown, took a trip to another galaxy or perhaps another universe. I'll take a momentary break to say a prayer and see if my smartphone is completely charged. Hopefully, by the time I return my muse will have come home. Gratitude List for 1 ‘Ilm Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 19 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, October 15, 2019 Facebook Status Update I check the UPS website using the tracking number for my new phone. I is supposed to be delivered by 5:00 p.m. today. Gratitude List for 19 Mashíyyat Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Memories Return11 What is it about autumn that brings back memories of childhood joys and tears? Is it something in the air that causes me to miss those carefree days in Blackwell, Oklahoma, when to Sunday School or The Lake with Grandma and Grandpa? Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 18 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Monday, October 14, 2019 Autumn in Las Vegas12 The autumn chill in the air causes me to turn the heat on at night. I look out my window and see green leaves dancing in the autumn breeze. I miss Oklahoma and the changing shades of autumn leaves. Gratitude List for 18 Mashíyyat Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 17 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Sunday, October 13, 2019 Autumn Nights13 Nights are turning cold Its time to turn the heat on Take the chill of the room Gratitude List for 17 Mashíyyat Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 16 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Saturday, October 12, 2019 The Fragrance of Autumn14 Inhale the fragrance of autumn, the crisp scent on the morning breeze foretells the coming of winter and snow in the Rocky Mountains. Gratitude List for 16 Mashíyyat Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 15 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Friday, October 11, 2019 Autumn Memories15 The chill in the autumn air brings back memories of Oklahoma, and Grandma's home made cookies. Every year for Halloween, she made cookies for the neighborhood children, who all called her Grandma. She always made oatmeal-raisin and peanut butter cookies; she always knew who not to give the peanut butter cookies to. It was a different time, you knew everyone in the neighborhood, and knew who you could trust and who you couldn't. Gratitude List for 15 Mashíyyat Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 14 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Thursday, October 10, 2019 Facebook Status Update Beautiful morning With an autumn wind blowing Its sweater weather Gratitude List for 14 Mashíyyat Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Autumn Thoughts16 The chill in the air reminds me the winter is approaching, and I wonder when snow will begin to cover Mount Charleston. Footnotes |
‘Idál (Justice), 13 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, October 9, 2019 Sparrows Sing on an Autumn Morning17 Why do sparrows sing on an autumn morning? Are they giving thanks for the cooler weather? Every morning they raise their song for all to hear., letting everyone know how happy they are. Gratitude List for 13 Mashíyyat Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 11 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Monday, October 7, 2019 Gratitude List for 11 Mashíyyat Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Fiḍál (Grace), 12 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, October 8, 2019 Facebook Status Update Through His transcendent mercy God foreordained the Birth of the Bab. Gratitude List for 12 Mashíyyat Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() A Good Day18 It's a good day to writ poetry and contemplate, in stanza and line, the Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab. Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 9 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Saturday, October 5, 2019 Autumn Poem19 The days grow shorter the nights longer, the temperatures cooler, people emerge from their homes, and begin thinking about the winter holidays. Gratitude List for 9 Mashíyyat Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Jamál (Beauty), 10 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Sunday, October 6, 2019 Gratitude List for 10 Mashíyyat Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |