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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), 7 Qawl (Speech) 175 B.E. - Thursday, November 29, 2018 Gratitude List for 7 Qawl Today I am thankful for ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
‘Idál (Justice), 6 Qawl (Speech) 175 B.E. - Wednesday, November 28, 2018. Ascension of `Abdu'l-Bahá "We testify that when [Christ] came into the world, He shed the splendor of His glory upon all created things ... Blessed is the man who, with a face beaming with Light, hat turned toward Him." I found the above quote in a pamphlet I found, while going through a suitcase I brought with me when I moved from the house on Bracken Avenue. The suitcase has been with me for the last two moves, without me going through it. I went through the suitcase today because I needed it to put my clothes in when I move two the new apartment. That quote was on the front of the pamphlel "The Glory of Christ: A Baha'i Testimony", which was published by Stone Haven Press in 1997. I'm not sure when I got the pamphlet, perhaps the year it was published. I'm going to read it again, because I thin it will inspire me to write a poem about His Holiness Christ. Gratitude List for 6 Qawl Today I am Thankful for... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 5 Qawl (Speech) 175 B.E. - Tuesday, November 27, 2018 Spring Memories2 It was a new day The wind whispered through oak leaves Birds flew to their nests Gratitude List for 5 Qawl Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Autumn's voice echoes Dancing like leaves blown in the wind Across the Northern Hemisphere Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 3 Qawl (Speech) 175 B.E. - Sunday, November 25, 2018 Gratitude List For 3 Qawl Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() Kamál (Perfection), 4 Qawl (Speech) 175 B.E. - Monday, November 26, 2018 Gratitude List For Qawl Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Jalál (Glory), 2 Qawl (Speech) 175 B.E. - Saturday, November 24, 2018 Humanity4 Original parents produced a single species; Nature's prism the spectrum separated; Evolution the skin tones of humanity decorated. Rich is humanity's rainbow, Arrayed in the colors of life, Complementing the creation of The Deity; Expressing the purpose of life. Gratitude List for 2 Qawl Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 1 Qawl (Speech) 175 B.E. - Friday, November 23, 2018 Feast of Qawl "In these times thanksgiving for the bounty of the Merciful One consists in the illumination of the heart and the feeling of the soul. This is the reality of thanksgiving. But, although offering thanks through speech or writings is approvable, yet, in comparison with that, it is but unreal, for the foundation is spiritual feelings and merciful sentiments." Abdu'l-Baha5 Thanksgiving's reality is spiritual gratitude and praise to the Almighty. Gratitude List for 1 Qawl Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() No Time6 We wrap time into neat packages, Dividing the day into small slots, Plan precisely every activity, Leaving ourselves no time for thought, No time notice the beauty of nature, No time to feel our fellowman's woes. Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 19 Qudrat (Power) 175 B.E. - Thursday, November 22, 2018 Thanksgiving My mind hungry for reality consumes the Holy Words. My eyelids heavy with meditation fight to stay open. My mind thirsty for the Water of Life drinks long and deep. My eyelids surrendering to the joy of rest close in asleep. Gratitude List for 19 Qudrat Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Facebook Status Update Windy Thanksgiving Palm fronds dance beneath blue sky Sun casts dark shadows Footnotes |
‘Idál (Justice), 18 Qudrat (Power) 175 B.E. - Wednesday, November 21, 2018 Gratitude List for 18 Qudrat Today I am grateful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Fiḍál (Grace), 17 Qudrat (Power) 175 B.E. - Tuesday, November 20, 2018 "Love ye all religions and all races with a love that is true and sincere and show that love through deeds and not through the tongue; for the latter hath no importance, as the majority of men are, in speech, well-wishers, while action is the best." Abdu'l-Baha8 Names of God9 Each name is a divine attribute, a facet in love's gem, and a reflection of the Almighty. Gratitude List for 17 Qudrat Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() BahaiTeachings.org series I want to read or finish. ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 16 Qudrat (Power) 175 B.E. - Monday, November 19, 2018 "Some things are subject to the free will of man, such as justice, equity, tyranny and injustice, in other words, good and evil actions; it is evident and clear that these actions are, for the most part, left to the will of man." Bahá’í Writings Free Will Defined10 Free will gives individuals the choice between good and evil. Gratitude List For 16 Qudrat Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 15 Qudrat (Power) 175 B.E. - Sunday, November 18, 2018 A patchwork quilt of humanity's multicultural heritage, evolving through the interactions of it multicolored population into a microcosms reflecting Earth's cultural heritage: a patchwork quilt of humanity. Gratitude List 15 Qudrat Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Is Hope12 Is hope, as some have said, a desire for the tangible reality of an item? Is hope a crystal goblet reflecting the light of faith? Is hope a glass chain attached to matters plain? Is hope, as others have said, a creature with feathers that lays snuggled in the heart? Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 13 Qudrat (Power) 175 B.E. - Friday, November 16, 2018 Gratitude List For 13 Qudrat Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() Jalál (Glory), 14 Qudrat (Power) 175 B.R. - Saturday, November 17, 2018 Gratitude List For 14 Qudrat Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Istijlál (Majesty), 12 Qudrat (Power) 175 B.E. - Thursday, November 15, 2018 On Hold13 One instrumental after another Nested between conversation breaks, Holds my place in the queue. One instrumental after another Leaves me to languish in limbo, Dallying on a frigid landscape. Gratitude List for 12 Qudrat Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Facebook Status Update Morning joy! Morning glory! Prayers intoned at dawn, followed by coffee, sunshine, and blue skies. 11.15.18 Footnotes |
‘Idál (Justice), 11 Qudrat (Power) 175 B.E. - Wednesday, November 14, 2018 Ink of Poetry14 Tears of love; the distilled essence of honeysuckles and lemons; hemoglobin from the from the heart of existence; attar of bitter herb; nectar stomped, by the bare feet of attachment, from the blossoms and thorn of the rose of desire; sap from the Tree of Life; and the ink of Divine inspiration. This is the ink of poetry; this is natural medicine; it passes through the spirit-mind barrier to heal the soul's chemistry. Gratitude List For 11 Qudrat Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 10 Qudrat (Power) 175 B.E. - Tuesday, November 13, 2018 Power of God15 The power of God Is sufficient for the job Of creating a world community Living in peace and unity. Gratitude List For 10 Qudrat Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 9 Qudrat (Power) 175 B.E. - Monday, November 12, 2018 Voice of Dawn16 Close your eyes and listen to the voice of dawn reverberating through the air of morning proclaiming to all humanity the Glory of God. Gratitude List for 9 Qudrat Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 8 Qudrat (Power) 175 B.E. - Sunday, November 11, 2018 "Today the world of humanity is walking in darkness because it is out of touch with the world of God. That is why we do not see the signs of God in the hearts of men. The power of the Holy Spirit has no influence. When a divine spiritual illumination becomes manifest in the world of humanity, when divine instruction and guidance appear, then enlightenment follows, a new spirit is realized within, a new power descends, and a new life is given. It is like the birth from the animal kingdom into the kingdom of man. … I will pray, and you must pray, likewise, that such heavenly bounty may be realized; that strife and enmity may be banished, warfare and bloodshed taken away; that hearts may attain ideal communication and that all people may drink from the same fountain." Walking in Darkness19 We walk in darkness looking for the Divine Light. O humanity, raise your eyes, lookup and see, the Light of the Glory of God that is guiding you to peace and unity. Take the hand of love, offered by the Glorious Lord, and walk out of the darkness. Gratitude List for 8 Qudrat Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Facebook Status Update Sunday depression and weariness I turn to Baha'u'llah and place all my worries in the hands of God's Glory. Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 7 Qudrat (Power) 175 B.E. - Saturday, November 10, 2018 Prayer of Thanks20 O Lord, Thank you for letting me live in this day, For allowing me to dwell at this time And at this stage in history. O Thou Kind Lord, Thank you for giving me this opportunity, To serve Thy Cause in this wonderful age. O Most Generous One, Thank you for helping me to do Thy will, Thank you for Thy forgiveness. Gratitude List for 7 Qudrat Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 6 Qudrat (Power) 175 B.E. - Friday, November 9, 2018 No Greater Glory21 It isn't in the service of war that our glory lies, but in the service of peace. Glory in the your service, to humanity. Baha'u'llah said: "There is no greater glory..." than in the service of peace. Gratitude List for 6 Qudrat Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 5 Qudrat (Power) 175 B.E. - Thursday, November 8, 2018 Prayer for Courage22 O Lord! Give me the courage to show tolerance to even the unbeliever. O Almighty! Give me the courage to return love even to those who show hate. Gratitude List for 5 Qudrat Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |