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. |
Fiḍál (Grace), 18 Kalimát (Words) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, July 30, 2019 Gratitude List for 18 Kalimát Today I am thankful ... ...for the muffin I had this morning for breakfast. ...that I was able to write two poems "The Power of God: To The Bab" and "The Voice olf God: To The Bab" before leaving for my podiatrist appointment this morning. ...for the coffee that I had while working on my poems this morning. ...that I have 767 points in my Survey Junkie account. ‘Idál (Justice), 19 Kalimát (Words) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, July 31, 2019 Tired of Dealing with People1 I am so tired of deal with people that I want to cry. All morning, I've dealt with telephone and harassers, who obviously want to bring my blood pressure up. I need a mental health day, so I've decided to turn my cell phone off on Friday, and take the house phone off the receiver. I'd take a mental health day on Thursday, but I have a doctor's appointment and I need the phone that day. Gratitude List for 19 Kalimát Today I am thankful ... ...that I have three responses from "Spiritual Newsletter (July 31, 2019)" to put in my upcoming Spiritual newsletter for August. ...for fresh brewed hot coffee on this warm summer morning. ...that I have a theme and subject for my next fantasy newsletter, which is due on August 5. ...for the muffin I had to go with my coffee this morning. ...that I was able to finish the article {xlink:https://bahaiteachings.org/whats-in-word-the-sacred-writings-of-the-worlds-faiths} What’s in a Word? The Sacred Writings of the World’s Faiths{/link} by Masud Olufani. ...for the white chunk Macadamia nut cookie I had for my morning snack. ...that I was able the schedule a payment for my internet connection for August 5, 2019 ...for the nectarine I had for my afternoon snack. ...that I have 835 points in my Survey Junkie account. Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 16 Kalimát (Words) 176 B.E. - Monday, July 29, 2019 It's Monday, July 29, I haven't made a gratitude list or posted to Poet999 - A Butterfly Emerges From Her Cocoon , so I need to get back to doing that. I did complete several poems dedicated to the Bab, and posted them in "Bicentenary Poems and Prose" . I still have several poems to finish in that project. With the exception of the poems and blogging, I didn't get a lot accomplished over the weekend. Gratitude List for 16 Kalimát Today I am thankful ... ...that I have six editor's picks for my upcoming fantasy newsletter. ...for the fresh brewed hot coffee I had this morning. ...that I have a little bit of money in my Bank of America savings account. ...for the doughnut I had to go with my coffee. ...that I have 609 points in my Survey Junkie account. Summer Poems2 Summer poems rise like the temperature spreading across the city of the poet's muse. Facebook Status Update The grasshoppers, that invaded the Las Vegas strip, ignored my section of town entirely. I've figured out the reason. I live in one of the poorer sections of town. The grasshoppers were afraid that we would catch them and eat them. Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 13 Kalimát (Words) 176 B.E. - Friday, July 26, 2019 Thoughts on Writing Poems3 Find the theme, sometimes it's a dream, write the first word-- an echo you heard. One line at a time, sometimes there are rhymes, focus of simile or metaphor: What is the subject you are looking for? Gratitude List for 13 Kalimát Today I am thankful ... ...that I was able to get my hair colored today. ...for the merit badge I received today/ ...that I have 1,099,317 GPs in my Gift Points account. ...for the fresh brewed hot coffee I have to drink this morning. ...for the chocolate doughnut I had with my coffee this morning. Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 12 Kalimát (Words) 176 B.E. - Thursday, July 25, 2019 In a World Free of Fear4 In a world free of fear eys sleep without tears. Humanity join hands, as a single species, in building bridges to unity. The melodies of heaven run through the human mind when eyes kiss eyes in a symphony of love. Gratitude List for 12 Kalimát Today I am thankful ... ...for fresh brewed hot black coffee on this beautiful summer day. ...that I have 505 points in my Survey Junkies account. ...for the doughnut I had to go with my morning coffee. ...that I was able to finish Half the Sky, Half the Land: The Power of the Female Farmer by Hugh Locke. This is the first in a series of articles called {xlink:https://bahaiteachings.org/series/the-role-of-women-farmers-in-transforming-global-agricultureThe Role of Women Farmers in Transforming Global Agriculture. ...for the yogurt I had as my morning snack. ...that I have completed 49 of the 200 poems I'm writing to celebrate the Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab. Footnotes |
‘Idál (Justice), 11 Kalimát (Words) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, July 24, 2019 Humanity Is One!5 Bound together By the ancient Covenant of God We are one race From the beginning That has no beginning God has renewed it With each generation With each succeeding Manifestation God's Covenant was renewed God will continue Renewing His Covenant to the end That will have no end Gratitude List for 11 Kalimát Today I am thankful ... ...that the $11.50 from Survey Junkie hit my checking account today. ...for fresh brewed black coffee. ...that the money for my power bill assistance hit my NV Energy account today. ...that I have 250 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...that "Season of Giving" was featured in "Spiritual Newsletter (July 24, 2019)" . ...that I have $27.30 in my Vindale Research account. ...that I have 59,500 points in my YouGov account. ...that I have $19.77 in my Inbox Dollars account. ...that I was able to finish The Navajo Spirit: The Diné Tradition and the Baha’i Faith by Christopher Buck and Bitahnii Wayne Wilson. Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 9 Kalimát (Words) 176 B.E. - Monday, July 22, 2019 Gratitude List for 9 Kalimát Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 1,001 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for fresh brewed block coffee on this beautiful summer morning. ...that I was able to transfer $11.50 from my Survey Junkie account to my checking account. ...that I have grapes fro my afternoon snack. Fiḍál (Grace), 10 Kalimát (Words) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, July 23, 2019 Summer in Las Vegas6 Have I written this poem before? Summer in Las Vegas is triple digit temperatures, sometimes with rain and sometimes without it. Sometimes I miss Oklahoma with its tornadoes, rolling thunder, and crisp bolts of lightning. Sometimes I prefer Nevada with its dark storm clouds, crisp lightning bolts, rolling thunder, and triple digit temperatures. Gratitude List for 10 Kalimát Today I am thankful ... ...that the 10 Rid Fare book I ordered from Paratransit arrived today. ...for fresh brewed hot black coffee on the cloudy summer morning. ...that I was able to catch the postal delivery person and mail the information Forester Financial requested today. ...for the chocolate covered doughnut holes I had to go with my coffee this morning. ...that I have 182 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the grapes I had to go with my lunch. ...that I have $25.97 in my Vindale Research account. Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 7 Kalimát (Words) 176 B.E. - Saturday, July 20, 2019 Gratitude List for 7 Kalimát Today I am thankful ... ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful summer morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for chocolate covered doughnut holes to go with my coffee. ...that I have 801 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the Arizona sweet ice tea I had with my lunch. ...that I have $25.97 in my Vindale Research account. Jamál (Beauty), 8 Kalimát (Words) 176 B.E. - Sunday, July 21, 2019 Thoughts on Humanity7 Humanity is a single race, with it roots in Africa. We are the children of migrations that carried the species out of Africa and dispersed it across Earth. Gratitude List for 8 Kalimát Today I am thankful ... ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful summer morning. ...that my bank of America checking account is not overdrawn. ...for chocolate covered doughnut holes to go with my coffee. ...that I have 856 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the blueberry yogurt I had for my morning snack. Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 5 Kalimát (Words) 176 B.E. - Thursday, July 18, 2019 Gratitude List for 5 Kalimát Today I am thankful ... ...that the poem "Kevin Locke" received an Awardicon for 3rd Place in Shadows & Light Poetry Contest ~ Round 73. ...for fresh brewed hot coffee on this beautiful July morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the merit badge I received today. ...that I have 614 in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the check I received from my sister today. Istiqlál (Independence), 6 Kalimát (Words) 176 B.E. - Friday, July 19, 2019 Remembering the Moon Landing8 I sat awestruck watching the news! At last, humanity had landed on the moon, my world became smaller that day and the universe larger. I still get a lump in my throat when I remember those events: I thank God for being born in such an awe inspiring and exciting time in history. Gratitude List for 6 Kalimát Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America Checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful summer morning. ...for the new sandals that were given to me. ...that, as of today, I have 40 poems written to celebrate the Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab. ...for the chocolate doughnut holes I had to go with my coffee this morning. ...that I was able to open a bottle of ginger ale without help today. ...for the organic grapes I have for my afternoon snack. ...that I have 707 in my Survey Junkie account. Footnotes |
‘Idál (Justice), 4 Kalimát (Words) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, July 17, 2019 The World Needs Poets9 Poets are necessary to the sanity of humanity, without poets the world would be colorless, hope would not exists, and we would not know the passion of a rose. Gratitude List for 4 Kalimát Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed hot coffee to drink with m y morning writing. ...that "Childhood" won this months "Stormy's poetry newsletter & contest" . ...for homemade fruit salad. Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 3 Kalimát (Words) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, July 16, 2019 Crop Circles10 Geometric circles Plant stems bent not broken, The mystery increases, Chills flow up the spine of fear, Hair stands on end, Questions echo through the mind: Elves dancing on the corn? Aliens waltzing on the wheat? Angels communicating God's love? Gratitude List for 3 Kalimát Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn this morning. ...for fresh brewed black coffee. ...that the contribution to the National Fund hit my bank today. ...that the payment to NV Energy hit the bank today . ...that I have 59,000 in my YouGov account. ...that I have 321 points in my Survey Junkie account. Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 2 Kalimát (Words) 176 B.E. - Monday, July 15, 2019 Vapor Lock11 The inspiration is there dawn still comes in all its scarlet splendor lovers meet, embrace, fight, kiss, and separate traffic flows, road kill decomposes, stars shine, planets condenses, suns novae, birth, death, and resurrection occur. The inspiration is there, but the flow is blocked obstructed by stress overheating, by bubbles forming between the fuel pump and the engine. Gratitude List for 2 Kalimát Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed black coffee. ...that I have 300 points in my Survey Junkie account. Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 1 Kalimát (Words) 176 B.E. - Sunday, July 14, 2019 Two Poems A Day12 One hundred and seven days to write one hundred and sixty four poems: Is this possible? Withe the help of Baha'u'llah and the Bab, I believe it is. If I write two poems a day it will take me eighty-two days, that will give me twenty-five days to review what I have written to celebrate the Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab. Gratitude List for 1 Kalimát Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn. ...for fresh brewed black coffee. ...that is is a pleasant morning and I can keep the door open for a little while to hear the birds cheeping and cooing. ...for the chocolate chip cookie I had to go with my coffee this morning. ...that I have $18.14 in my Inbox Dollars account. ...that I have 123 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...that I have 58,900 points in my YouGov account. Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 19 Rahmat (Mercy) 176 B.E. - Saturday, July 13, 2019 The Catalyst13 Two centuries have passed since His birth in Shiraz, and humanity moves toward unity. His birth in 1819, and His death in 1850 were the catalyst to humanity's transformation. This year we celebrate the Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab, who--along with Baha'u'lllah-- has created a vision of unity for humanity. Gratitude List for 19 Rahmat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the fresh brewed coffee this morning. ...that I could pay part of the electric bill today. ...for bottle water because it tastes better than water out of the faucet. ...that I have $17.93 in my Inbox Dollars account. ...for the cake I had for my afternoon snake. Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 17 Rahmat (Mercy) 176 B.E. - Thursday, July 11, 2019 Gratitude List For 17 Rahmat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...that I have $25.22 in my Vindale Research account. ...that I have 102 points in my Survey Junkie account. Istiqlál (Independence), 18 Rahmat (Mercy) 176 B.E. - Friday, July 12, 2019 Gratitude List For 18 Rahmat ...that I my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed hot coffee. ...that the money from Survey Junkie hit my checking account today. ...for the spam Musubi I have to go with my coffee today. ...that I had enough in the bank to cover the premium of my Senior Life policy today. ...for the pleasant morning because I can leave the door open for a little while. ...that I finished poem 32 of the 200 I'm writing to celebrate the Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab. |
Fiḍál (Grace), 15 Rahmat (Mercy) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, July 9, 2019 Gratitude List For 15 Rahmat Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 947 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the fresh brewed coffee I had this morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the Spam Musubi I had for breakfast today. ...that I have $24.22 in my Vindale Research account. ...for the sea food salad I had for lunch ‘Idál (Justice), 16 Rahmat (Mercy) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, July 10, 2019 Keeping the Electricity On14 Summer is here with triple digit temperatures and outrageous power bills: Where is the money coming from to keep the electricity on? Gratitude List For 16 Rahmat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today/ ...for fresh brewed black coffee. ...that I could transfer $12.71 from my Survey Junkie account to my checking account.. ...for the plain yogurt I had with my coffee this morning. ...that I have 58,400 points in my YouGov account. Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 13 Rahmat (Mercy) 176 B.E. - Sunday, July 7, 2019 Gratitude List For 13 Rahmat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the fresh brewed coffee I had this morning. ...that I have completed poem 28 in the 200 I'm writing to celebrate the Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab: "July 9, 1850 in Tabriz, Iran (Persia)" . ...for the pumpkin bread I had for my morning snack. ...that I have 158 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...that I have I was able to finish and submit my next fantasy newsletter today. ...that I have five editors picks for my next edition of the spiritual newsletter. Kamál (Perfection), 14 Rahmat (Mercy) 176 B.E. - Monday, July 8, 2019 Gratitude List For 14 Rahmat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed coffee on this beautiful summer morning. ...that I have 632 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for I had a can of Arizona sweet iced tea to go with my lunch. |
Jalál (Glory), 12 Rahmat (Mercy) 176 B.E. - Saturday, July 6, 2019 My Grandfather's Word15 My Grandfather had a word for it, for the bitching, the complaining, and the grumbling under your breath. It was mulligrubbing, it wasn't ladylike, it wasn't gentleman-like, it was worrying aloud and being rude to disturb others with your gripping. Gratitude List For 12 Rahmat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the fresh brewed coffee I had this morning. ...that the $10.68 from Survey Junkies hit my checking account today. ...for the breakfast pastry I had with my coffee this morning. ...that the $15.00 from PayPal hit my checking account today. ...that I have 147 points in my Survey Junkies account. ...that "Wind in the Valley of Fire" won "Invalid Item" . ...for the Arizona sweet ice tea I had with my lunch. ...that I have completed 25 poems of the 200 I am writing to celebrate the Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab. Those poem are "1 Muharram 1235 AH" , "Intoning the Prayer of The Bab" , "The Great Trumpet Has Sounded" , "Portal of Grace: To The Bab" , "The Wayfarer's Journey Begins" , "Who is The Bab?" , "Declaration of The Bab" , "Invocation to The Bab" , "Morning Star: To The Bab" , "Queen of Carme Mountainl: The Shrine of the Bab" , "He Opened The Door: To The Bab" , "Light of the Holy Spirit: To The Bab" , "All-Sufficing Faith" , "Mausoleum of The Bab: The Queen of Carmel" , "Angels of Light Proclaim the Declaration of The Bab" , "Rejoice! For This Is The Immortal Youth" , "Letters of the Living" , "Who is The Bab?" , "Unshelfish Prayer" , "The Martyrdom of The Bab" , "Unfailing Protection" , "Preparing The Heart" , "The Connection: To The Bab" , "Religion Renewed" , and "Remover of Difficulties" . Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 11 Rahmat (Mercy) 176 B.E. - Friday, July 5, 2019 Cats16 In the morning they are like rick black coffee each sip a hot claw in your bare hands. Gratitude List For 11 Rahmat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the fresh brewed black coffee I had this morning. ...that I have 138 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the Starbucks breakfast sandwich I had this morning. ...that I was able to finish Why I Believe Christ Has Returned by Vahid Houston Ranjbar. This is the first article in the series The Prophets’ Prophecies Fulfilled . ...that I have $22.72 in my Vindale Research account. ...that I have $20.00 in my Send Earnings account. ...that I have $17.01 in my Inbox Dollars account. Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 10 Rahmat (Mercy) 176 B.E. - Thursday, July 4, 2019 Independence17 Independence is a spiritual virtue, a divine attribute, that humanity must use responsibly. Gratitude List For 10 Rahmat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrafted today. ...for the fresh brewed hot coffee I had on the beautiful July morning. ...that I have 27 points in my Survey Junkie Account. ...for the pleasant morning that allowed me to leave the door open to get some fresh air. ...that I have $21.97 in my Vindale Research account. Facebook Status Update The pain in my left thumb is the silence between our souls. It is the distant echoes of small arms fire that severs the arteries of love. Footnotes |
‘Idál (Justice), 9 Rahmat (Mercy) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, July 3, 2019 Waking Up18 I wake before dawn pours cream into the black coffee of night. I rise before mourning doves lament the passing wind. Gratitude List For 9 Rahmat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed hot coffee. ...that I was able to pay the rent today. ...for the sweet roll I have to go with my coffee this morning. ...that I could transfer $10.38 from my Survey Junkie account to my checking account. ...for the yogurt I had for my morning snack. ...that my prescriptions for Levothyrocine and Lisinopril arrived today. Footnotes |