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" . On Tuesday, October 29, 2013 I began keeping track of may accomplished goals in this journal. "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. |
Jamál (Beauty), 9 Qawl (Speech) 176 B.E. - Sunday, December 1, 2019 Gratitude List for 9 Qawl Today I am thankful ... ...that I was able to go to Devotional Services at the Baha'i center today. ...for fresh brewed black coffee this morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the Arizona sweet tea I have this evening. ...that I have 7,500 points in my YouGov account. ...that I received a merit badge today. Kamál (Perfection), 10 Qawl (Speech) 176 B.E. - Monday, December 2, 2019 Gratitude List for 10 Qawl Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 738 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the Honey bun I have to go with my coffee this morning. ...that I have 1,988,014 GPs in my Gift Points account. ...for fresh brewed coffee on this beautiful December morning. ...that I received a merit badge today. |
Jalál (Glory), 8 Qawl (Speech) 176 B.E. - Saturday, November 30, 2019 Poet's Time1 I'm on poet's time, I spend the midnight hours in silent meditation. I'm on poet's time! I lay awake listening for the approach of inspiration. I'm on poet's time, sleep is a distant memory until my muse has returns with stanza and line. Gratitude List for 8 Qawl Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 613 in my Survey Junkie account. ...for fresh brewed coffee on this beautiful autumn morning. ...that my Vindale Research account has $2.14 in it. ...for the orange slices I had as my morning snack. ...that I received a merit badge today. Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence)), 7 Qawl (Speech) 176 B.E. - Friday, November 29, 2019 Comfort Rain2 The pitter-patter of raindrops on the cement outside my front door takes me back to my childhood. Walking home from school in the rain, wrapping my books in my coat so they won't get wet, jumping in every puddle on my way home, and soaking myself to the bone. When I got home my mother had me take off my wet clothes wrapped me in Grandma's patchwork quilt (the one that always smelled like moth balls), fixed me a cup of hot chocolate-- with whole meilk and real Hershey© chocolate-- gave me a hot bath, and put me to bed. Never mind that I had homework to do, the important things was that I didn't catch my death. Gratitude List for 7 Qawl Today I am thankful ... ...that my SSI check came in today. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful November morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...that I have 484 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...that I received an awardicom for "The Brightness and Color of Stars" . ...that I received 4 merit badges today. Facebook Status Update Seven years ago today my Mother passed away, she ascended into the Abha Paradise to join the Celestial Concourse. Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 6 Qawl (Speech) 176 B.E. - Thursday, November 28, 2019 Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Baha and Thanksgiving Lodestone3 Tense expectation: my iron heart magnetized to attract particles of happiness. Aroused anticipation: my magnetic field polarized to draw atoms of contentment. Gratitude List for 6 Qawl Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 363 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for fresh brewed coffee on this beautiful autumn morning. ...that I was able to finish the article Keeping Indigenous Languages – and Adopting a Universal One by BahaiTeachings.org. ...for the apple juice I had with my breakfast this morning. ...that I was able to finish the article So What Did the Bab Teach? by Jaellayna Palmer. ...for the bean soup I had for lunch. Footnotes |
‘Idál (Justice), 5 Qawl (Speech) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, November 27, 2019 Anticipation4 Is this how a magnet feel? Tense, polarized to attract; ready to draw good fortune out of the ether, to create happiness out of the atoms of existence. Gratitude List for 5 Qawl Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed coffee on this beautiful autumn morning. ...that I was able to set up the cox payment for November 30, the day one of my checks is supposed to hit my bank. ...for the breakfast pastry I had with my coffee. ...that I have 283 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the spaghetti and meat balls I had for supper. Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 4 Qawl (Speech) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, November 26, 2019 Day of the Covenant Divine Creation5 Soul a divine creation; a single undivided substance with neither beginning nor ending, associated with the body at conception. Soul's association with the body educates it; develops its God given attributes, give it a choice between opposites. Body dies, soul passes into the next world takes with it the positive qualities developed during its so journey in matter. Soul takes with it love, joy, faith light, etc.: positive qualities --developed during its physical existence-- aid it in the spiritual world. Gratitude List for 4 Qawl Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful autumn morning. ...that I have 202 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the split pea soup I had for lunch. ...that "Thanksgiving Memories" was featured in "Poetry Newsletter (November 27, 2019)" . submitted to "Comedy Newsletter (November 27, 2019)" : Thawing the the turkey in the Jacuzzi was a creative and brave solution to the problem. The bravest thing I've ever done on Thanksgiving was to cook a twenty pound turkey in a microwave (my regular oven wasn't working). I carved the raw turkey into smaller portions, and cooked them--one at a time--in the microwave. It worked and everyone at the Thanksgiving feast survived. Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 3 Qawl (Speech) 176 B.E. - Monday, November 25, 2019 Autumn Wind6 A cold wind blow sending chills up the spine of autumn, and suggesting that winter is here, but winter solstice is still 26 days away. Thanksgiving is 2 days away: Will it snow on Thanksgiving? Gratitude List for 3 Qawl Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 1,031 points in my Survey Junkie account. I redeemed it for $10.31 to my PayPal account. ...for fresh brewed coffee on this beautiful autumn morning. ...that I was able to transfer $50.00 from my PayPal account to my checking account. I should take one business day for it to hit my account. ...for the breakfast roll I have to go with my coffee. ...that I have 42 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the Arizona sweet ice tea I had with my lunch. ...that I received two responses from the last spiritual newsletter to put in the December newsletter. ...for the cream of mushroom soup I have for my evening meal. ...that I have decided an a theme for the next December spiritual newsletter and have several items to put in the Editor's picks. Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 1 Qawl (Speech) 176 B.E. - Saturday, November 23, 2019 Feast of Qawl (Speech) Autumn7 Short days and long nights, winter approaches on the chilly autumn wind and summer becomes a memory. Gratitude List for 1 Qawl Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 821 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for fresh brewed coffee on this chilly autumn morning. Jamál (Beauty), 2 Qawl (Speech) 176 B.E. - Sunday, November 24, 2019 Gratitude List for 2 Qawl Today I am thankful ... ...for the gapes I have for my morning snack. ...that I have 971 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the doughnuts to go with my coffee this morning. ...that I have 1,921,664 gPs in my Gift Points account. ...for fresh brewed coffee on this beautiful autumn morning. Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 19 Qudrat (Power) 176 B.E. - Friday, November 22, 2019 Invocation: To Baha'u'llah8 O Glory of God! I feel the Holy Spirit's power flowing through Your words. Awestruck my soul falls prostrate begging Your for forgiveness. O Lord of Host! When I read Your verses, I hear trumpets echoing taps and reveille; I see the old heaven rolled up, the old earth passed away, and the new spread out. Gratitude List for 19 Qudrat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the good night's sleep I got last night. ...that I have 503 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for fresh brewed coffee on this chilly autumn morning. ...that I was able to completed the article How Intuition Saved My Life Radiance Talle. Footnotes |
‘Idál (Justice), 17 Qudrat (Power) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, November 20, 2019 November Rain9 A pigeon baths in the cold November rain, fluffing its feathers and cleaning it wings. Gratitude List for 17 Qudrat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this rainy autumn morning. ...that "The Red Dragon's Castle" was featured in "Fantasy Newsletter (November 20, 2019)" . ...for an apple cider doughnut I have to go with my coffee. ...that I have 323 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the rain we received today. Istijlál (Majesty)), 18 Qudrat (Power) 176 B.E. - Thursday, November 21, 2019 Gratitude List for 18 Qudrat Today I am thankful ... ...for the nap I was able to take at Quest Diagnostics while I was waiting for the paratransit bus to bring me home. ...that I have 451 points in my Survey Junkie account. Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 16 Qudrat (Power) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, November 19, 2019 Vertical Blinds10 Segmentedinto parallel sections by curtained blinds. The evening panorama Of wind blown trees-- mimicking a robot stiff movements-- and speeding cars-- advancing in snack like waves from one section to another-- define t he boundary separating illusion from reality. Gratitude List for 16 Qudrat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed hot coffee on this cloudy autumn morning. ...that I have 281 in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the apple cider doughnut I had to go with my coffee. ...that I have 1,878,910 GPs in my Gift Points account. Facebook Status Update (11/18/19) I had a new taste sensation this evening. I had my first slice of bean pie. It was delicious and I want more. Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 15 Qudrat (Power) 176 B.E. - Monday, November 18, 2019 Venetian Blinds11 The slats in the Venetian Blinds segment the scene, of wind blow trees and speeding cars, crossing the eyes that focus on a single car or bough. Revealing the boundary, which separates the illusion of reality from reality itself. Gratitude List for 15 Qudrat Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 161 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the apple cider doughnut I have to go with my coffee this morning. ...that my bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the fresh brewed hot coffee I have on this beautiful autumn morning. ...that I have 6,750 points in my YouGov account. ...for the grapes I have as my afternoon snack. ...that I have $37.99 in my Adsense account. Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 14 Qudrat (Power) 176 B.E. - Sunday, November 17, 2019 November Tears12 Seven long years, since Mom ascended into the Abha Paradise. Seven long years, Thanksgiving and memories bring tears, as I pause to say a prayer for the departed. Gratitude List for 14 Qudrat Today I am thankful ... ...that Tom called and the doctor told him the cancer was in complete remission. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful autumn day. ...that my bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the doughnut I had to go with my coffee this morning. ...that I have 25 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the chicken I had as an afternoon snack. ...that I was able to finish How We Can Begin to Understand Our Afterlife by Christopher Buck, which is Part 1 of The World Beyond . ...for the Arizona sweet tea I had to drink today. ...that I was able to finish 5 Glimpses of the Afterlife from the Baha’i Writings by Christopher Buck, which is Part 2 of The World Beyond . ...for the chocolate covered cherries I have for my evening snack. ...that I was able to finish What Will We Do In the World Beyond? by Christopher Buck, which is Part 3 of The World Beyond . Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 13 Qudrat (Power) 176 B.E. - Saturday, November 16, 2019 Daily Affirmations: To Baha'u'llah13 Baha'u'llah, without your love to guide me my future is dark hidden in fear and despair. So just for today I will look for y our guidance to the paths of righteousness. Baha'u'llah, without your scriptures I'm a prisoner of ego chained to my own desires. So just for today I will read your sacred words seeking the freedom of faith. Gratitude List for 13 Qudrat Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 1,000 points in my Survey Junkie account. I was able to have $10.00 deposited in my PayPal account. ...for the pumpkin bread I have to go with my coffee this morning. ...that I was able to transfer $10.00 from my PayPal account to my checking account. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful autumn morning. ...that my Bank of America account is not overdrawn today. ...for the Arizona sweet tea I had with my lunch ...that I have 6,400 points in my YouGov account. ...for the hamburger I had for lunch ...that I received my 90-day prescriptions for Alendronate, Oxybutynin, Lisinopril, and Levotroxine. ...that I have 15 points in my Survey Junkie account. Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 12 Qudrat (Power) 176 B.E. - Friday, November 15, 2019 Autumn Memories: To Lion14 On crisp autumn mornings, Lion is a deep pumpkin, Hi orange strips stand out Like a jack-o-lantern On Halloween night. Gratitude List for 12 Qudrat Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 950 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this chilly autumn morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn. ...for the breakfast cake I have to go with my coffee this morning. ...that I have 1,824,425 GPs in my Gift Points account. ...for the cottage cheese and peaches I had for breakfast. Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 11 Qudrat (Power) 176 B.E. - Thursday, November 14, 2019 My Name in Print: A Memory15 Seeing my name in print, sends chills up my spine! Is this my thirty seconds of fame, or is that saved for another time? Gratitude List for 11 Qudrat Today I am thankful ... ...that 507 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful autumn morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the slice pumpkin bread I had with my coffee this morning. ...that I have 1,822,800 GPs in my Gift Points account. ...for the cherry pomegranate yogurt I had for breakfast. Footnotes |
‘Idál (Justice), 10 Qudrat (Power) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, November 13, 2019 November Morning16 Inhale the morning air, crisp scent of autumn, scatters across the blue sky. Gratitude List for 10 Qudrat Today I am thankful ... ...that My bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful autumn day ...that I have 400 points in my Survey Junkie account. Facebook Status Update Just a note to let everyone know. The factory warranty on my non-existent vehicle has expired. Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 8 Qudrat (Power) 176 B.E. - Monday, November 11, 2019 Gratitude List for 8 Qudrat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful autumn day. ...that I have 811 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the chocolate brownie I had with my coffee. ...for the soft coiled eggs and grapes I had for breakfast. Fiḍál (grace), 9 Qudrat (Power) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, November 12, 2019 Gratitude List for 9 Qudrat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account isn't overdrawn today ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful autumn morning. ...that I have 1,098 points in my Survey Junkie account, which let me transfer $10.98 to my PayPal account. ...that I was able to trans fer 11.00 from my PayPal account to my checking account. ...that I received two merit badges today. |
Jalál (Glory), 6 Qudrat (Power) 176 B.E. - Saturday, November 9, 2019 Gratitude List for 6 Qudrat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful autumn morning. ...that I have 765 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the apple upside down cake I had with my coffee. Jamál (Beauty), 7 Qudrat (Power) 176 B.E. - Sunday, November 10, 2019 November17 The door of the year is closing, preparing to lock in the closet of memory the joy and sadness of our daily existence. Gratitude List for 7 Qudrat Today I am thankful ... ...that I have $26.11 in my Inbox Dollars account. ...for fresh brewed coffee on this beautiful autumn day. ...that I have 5,800 points in my YouGov account. ...for the breakfast pastry I had to go with my coffee. ...that I have $24.25 in my Send Earnings account. ...for the popcorn I had as my afternoon snack. ...that I was able to finish Christ’s New Name: The Glory of God by Christopher Buck, Part 54 of Figuring Out Prophecy . ...for the ginger ale I had with my afternoon snack. ...that I have 787 points in my Survey Junkie account. Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 5 Qudrat (Power) 176 B.E. - Friday, November 8, 2019 Autumn Afternoon18 The chill in the air foretells the coming winter, with its promises of snow on Mount Charleston. Will there be snow this year? Will the changing climate cause the weather to warm, and any snow that does fall to melt? The chill in the air suggests a normal winter for the Las Vegas area. Will it last? Gratitude List for 5 Qudrat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful autumn morning. ...that I have 743 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the chocolate stuffed breakfast pastry I had with my coffee this morning. ...that I was able to finish the article Celebrating the International Week of Science and Peace by Victoria Welborn, Part 1 of How Science and Religion Can Agree . ...for the boiled eggs and applesauce I had for breakfast. ...that I was able to request a payment from Vindale Research today. It will be processed b y December 1, 2019. ... for the chocolate covered raisins I had as my afternoon snack. Footnotes |