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. |
Jamál (Beauty), 9 Asmá’ (Names) 174 Badi - Sunday, August 27, 2017 CE Writing Challenge Week 5 for "Game of Thrones" ![]() ![]() Today's Reviews for "Game of Thrones" ![]() "Note: *BurstO* Happy Anniversary *BurstO* [I..." Invalid Review ![]() Invalid Review ![]() Invalid Review ![]() Review of "The Wind in the Willows" ![]() Review of "Salvation ( word count 1236)" ![]() Kamál (Perfection), 10 Asmá’ (Names) 174 Badi - Monday, August 28, 2017 CE I have to finish "Ghost Temple of Mars" ![]() ![]() Today's Reviews for "Game of Thrones" ![]() Review of "Suffer the little children" ![]() Review of "The Stuttering Hedgehog of WW Two." ![]() Review of "Inside and Out" ![]() Review of "Inheriting the Earth and Seeing God" ![]() I have completed 140 poems of the 200 I am dedicated to the Blessed Beauty. I have 60 to complete in 54 days, this means I need to finish approximately 1.5 poems per day. Some of the poems I have started are almost finished, so I think I will see which ones of those I need to finish first and then move on to the others. Fiḍál (Grace), 11 Asmá’ (Names) 174 Badi - Tuesday, August 29, 2017 CE I have 143 poems of 200 completed (this includes the ones I had almost finished). I now need to finish 57 poems in the next 54 day, which means I need to finish at least two poems a day or a total of 14 a week in order to finish the poems by October 22. ‘Idál (Justice), 12 Asmá’ (Names) 174 Badi - Wednesday, August 30, 2017 CE Today's Reviews for "Game of Thrones" ![]() Review of "Two Faces of Power" ![]() Review of "Aunt Agatha's Aberration" ![]() Review of "Robin's job dissatisfaction" ![]() Istijlál (Majesty), 13 Asmá’ (Names) 174 Badi - Thursday, August 31, 2017 CE |
Kamál (Perfection), 15 Kamál (Perfection) 174 Badi - Monday, August 14, 2017 CE There are 69 day left until the celebration of the bicentenary of Baha'u'llah's Birth. I have 124 poems completed so I need to finish 76, which means I have to complete at least 1 1/2 or 2 each day until October 22. I hope to finish them on or before Octobe 20, so that I can print them off and take them to the celebration. The poems are posted in "Bicentenary Poems and Prose" "I am very happy to have met you. I hope that through the favors of the Blessed Beauty you shall become the instruments for the glorification of the divine Cause and the spread of the Word of God so that this city may take precedence over all the other cities of America. As this city is the capital of America, so shall it, God willing, become the center of divine signs. When you arise to teach the Cause of God it will soon be firmly established and will spread because this city has capacity…" ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, November 8, Washington DC, recorded by Mahmud Zarqani; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’)1 This quote gives the importance of Washington DC to the United States of America. It also give the spiritual potential of the city. I suspect one of the biggest problems today is most people don't think of the spiritual potential America has in this age. For sometime now America has been suffering from a split personality that separates the spiritual from everyday life. It seems one is only supposed to think of spiritual in relation to religion, which it isn't. Spiritual is a part of religion, but it's also a part of everyday life. Today's Reviews for "Game of Thrones" ![]() Review of "It's All In The Hand" ![]() Review of "Queen Anne" ![]() Invalid Review ![]() Review of "Meant To Be" ![]() I'm doing better today. I finish four of the 200 poems I'm dedicating to the Blessed Beauty. I don't know if I will finish any more today because I have to review at least two more items for "Game of Thrones" ![]() "House Of Black & White " ![]() Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 14 Kamál (Perfection) 174 Badi - Sunday, August 13, 2017 CE "We, verily, have chosen courtesy, and made it the true mark of such as are nigh unto Him. Courtesy is, in truth, a raiment which fitteth all men, whether young or old." Bahá’u’lláh2 This is a good goal for this week. I try to show courtesy all the time, but I think that I sometimes fail. The only thing to do is continue attempting to show courtesy, and when I fail then I need to ask forgiveness and work on showing courtesy even harder. Some days it is easier to show courtesy thean on other days, but I don't know why. Perhaps there are days when I am more aware of the other people in my life. Today's Reviews for "Game of Thrones" ![]() "Note: *BalloonR* Happy Birthday *BalloonR* ..." Review of "Masquerade Dance" ![]() Review of "Fire-red Leaf" ![]() Invalid Review ![]() Review of "The Ghost of Time - Chapter 1" ![]() dichromatic Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 13 Kamál (Perfection) 174 Badi - Saturday, August 12, 2017 CE It's Science Fiction Saturday, which means today's review goal for "Game of Thrones" "For those who believe in God, who have love of God, and faith, life is excellent – that is, it is eternal; but to those souls who are veiled from God, although they have life, it is dark." 'Abdu’l-Bahá3 This is a beautiful scripture. It states the reason that believers in God should be happy and not depress. Sometimes I forget that life is excellent and eternal. This occurs when I focus on the material world and not the divine attributes. Whenever I focus on material problems, I am depressed. When I focus on Baha'u'llah and the divine attributes, I am not depressed because I know I am loved and that there is a plan for my life. Today's Reviews for "Game of Thrones" ![]() Review of "On the Cutting Edge of Science" ![]() Review of "Death Wagon" ![]() Review of "The Key To All Existence" ![]() Review of "Endless Memories" ![]() Review of "The Giveaway" ![]() Review of "Into The Nether Sky" ![]() I may have to admit that the maximum stories I can read in a day are six. I give it a try for more stories tomorrow, but I suspect six is my limit if I want to do a good job of reviewing. Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 12 Kamál (Perfection) 174 Badi - Friday, August 11, 2017 CE Friday used to be the day everyone thanked God for because it was the end of the workweek. All right it wasn't the end of the workweek for everyone, but most people considered a workweek consisting of five days with an eight hour day being the norm. It isn't any more. Now it is common for stores to be open for seven days for 9-10 hours, and some open 24/7. "Magnified be Thy name, O my God, for that Thou hast manifested the Day which is the King of Days, the Day which Thou didst announce unto Thy chosen Ones and Thy Prophets in Thy most excellent Tablets, the Day whereon Thou didst shed the splendor of the glory of all Thy names upon all created things. Great is his blessedness whosoever hath set himself towards Thee, and entered Thy presence, and caught the accents of Thy voice. I beseech Thee, O my Lord, by the name of Him round Whom circleth in adoration the kingdom of Thy names, that Thou wilt graciously assist them that are dear to Thee to glorify Thy word among Thy servants, and to shed abroad Thy praise amidst Thy creatures, so that the ecstasies of Thy revelation may fill the souls of all the dwellers of Thine earth. Since Thou hast guided them, O my Lord, unto the living waters of Thy grace, grant, by Thy bounty, that they may not be kept back from Thee; and since Thou hast summoned them to the habitation of Thy throne, drive them not out from Thy presence, through Thy loving-kindness. Send down upon them what shall wholly detach them from aught else except Thee, and make them able to soar in the atmosphere of Thy nearness, in such wise that neither the ascendancy of the oppressor nor the suggestions of them that have disbelieved in Thy most august and most mighty Self shall be capable of keeping them back from Thee." Bahá’u’lláh4 This is a prayer for success in proclaiming the name of Baha'u'llah. The day which this prayer refers to is either the Berth of Baha'u'llah, which is celebrated on October 22 this year, or the Declaration of Baha'u'llah which is the Festival of Ridvan. I am not sure which, or it could imply both those Holy Days. I will have to meditation a bit more on this. Today's Reviews for "Game of Thrones" ![]() "Note: *BurstV* Happy Anniversary *BurstV* [I..." Review of "In Venice " ![]() Invalid Review ![]() Invalid Review ![]() Review of " Robby" ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Completed and Uncompleted Poems Dedicated to The Blessed Beauty Posted in "Bicentenary Poems and Prose" ![]() Completed Poems 1 to 113 115, 119, 121, 123, 129, 131, 133, 139, 153 Uncompleted Poems 114, 116 to 118, 120, 122, 124 to 128, 130, 132, 134 To 138, 140 to 152 Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 8 Kamál (Perfection) 174 Badi - Monday, August 7, 2017 CE I remained at the computer later last night then normal. I had to finish a challenge entry for The House of Undying. I got up earlier then normal this morning because when I went to bed, I went to sleep almost right away. I enjoy writing the entries for The House of Undying, but I have not attempted the Wheel of Torture yet, maybe this week. I finished the fantasy newsletter and everything else I had to finish. The only thing I did not get done was some poems for "Bicentenary Poems and Prose" "All praise be to Thee, O my God, for the things Thou didst ordain for me through Thy decree and by the power of Thy sovereignty. I beseech Thee that thou wilt fortify both myself and them that love me in our love for Thee, and wilt keep us firm in Thy Cause. I swear by Thy might! O my God! Thy servant’s shame is to be shut out as by a veil from Thee, and his glory is to know Thee. Armed with the power of Thy name nothing can ever hurt me, and with Thy love in my heart all the world’s afflictions can in no wise alarm me. Send down, therefore, O my Lord, upon me and upon my loved ones that which will protect us from the mischief of those that have repudiated Thy truth and disbelieved in Thy signs. Thou art, verily, the All-Glorious, the Most Bountiful." Bahá’u’lláh5 This is a good prayer to begin the working week because it reminds me that there is nothing that God cannot handle. Sometimes I feel alone and depressed, when this happens I turn to the prayers revealed by Baha'u'llah or The Bab. Their prayers always change my attitude because I can feel the Holy Spirit flowing through them. Today's Reviews for "Game of Thrones" ![]() Review of "The Island of Imagination/ Hallucination" ![]() Review of "Price Adjustments or Magic as visual art" ![]() Invalid Review ![]() Review of "You Did What ??" ![]() So far today I've did 2/3 of my daily goals. There were some things I did not put on this week's goals because I want to focus on two things (1) writing the poems dedicated to The Blessed Beauty, and (2) participating in "Game of Thrones" ![]() Completed and Uncompleted Poems Dedicated to The Blessed Beauty Posted in "Bicentenary Poems and Prose" ![]() Completed Poems 1 to 108, 115, 119, 121, 123, 129, 131, 133 Uncompleted Poems 109 to 114, 116 to 118, 120, 122, 124 to 128, 130, 132, 134 To 151 ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 7 Kamál (Perfection) 174 Badi - Sunday, August 6, 2017 CE This is going to be a busy writing day for me because I have to finish the fantasy newsletter and write an entry for "Invalid Post" "The confirmations of the Spirit are all those powers and gifts which some are born with (and which men sometimes call genius), but for which others have to strive with infinite pains. They come to that man or woman who accepts his life with radiant acquiescence." ‘Abdu’l-Bahá6 I need to accept my life with radiant acquiescence. Sometimes I am capable of doing this and sometimes I have difficulty. Today I need to accept the events in my life with radiant acquiescence because I have a lot of writing to do. I just finished my edition of the fantasy newsletter for August. The subject was "Game of Thrones" ![]() ![]() Today's Reviews for "Game of Thrones" ![]() Review of "PTSD & Me" ![]() Review of "You have Arthritis, Ok Doc, Now What?" ![]() Invalid Review ![]() Review of "Sardine Sandwiches and Whales" ![]() Review of ""You Have Arthritis Part 2" ![]() Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 6 Kamál (Perfection) 174 Badi - Saturday, August 5, 2017 CE "The purpose of religion as revealed from the heaven of God’s holy Will is to establish unity and concord amongst the peoples of the world; make it not the cause of dissension and strife." Baha’u’llah7 Unity and concord appear so far away at this present point in history. However, the darker the night, the blacker the smoke rising from the present batter the light that is on the horizon. I have no doubt that, eventually, unity and concord will happen, but until then I have to keep proclaiming the teaching of Baha'u'llah and emphasizing that world peace is possible. Today's Reviews for "Game of Thrones" ![]() Invalid Review ![]() Review of "Uninvited Guests" ![]() Review of "Within" ![]() Review of "Young Summer Love " ![]() Invalid Review ![]() Review of "One Last Visit" ![]() Review of "Impious Hearts" ![]() Invalid Review ![]() Completed and Uncompleted Poems Dedicated to The Blessed Beauty Posted in "Bicentenary Poems and Prose" ![]() Completed Poems 1 to 106, 115, 119, 121, 123, 129, 131, 133 Total Written = 113 Uncompleted Poems 107 to 114, 116 to 118, 120, 122, 124 to 128, 130, 132, 134 To 138 Finish = 25 + 37 = 62 Days left 77 To the Blessed Beauty (1) Bahá, (2) Jalál, (3) Jamál, (4) ‘Aẓamat, (5) Núr, (6) Raḥmat, (7) Kalimát, (8) Kamál, (9) Asmá’, (10)‘Izzat, (11) Mashíyyat, (12) ‘Ilm, (13) Qudrat, (14) Qawl, (15) Masá’il, (16) Sharaf, (17) Sulṭán, (18) Mulk, (19) ‘Alá’, (20) Fiḍál, (21) ‘Idál, (22) Istijlál, and (23) Istiqlál. Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 5 Kamál (Perfection) 174 Badi - Friday, August 4, 2017 CE "O My Friend in Word! Ponder awhile. Hast thou ever heard that friend and foe should abide in one heart? Cast out then the stranger, that the Friend may enter His home." Bahá’u’lláh8 I'm not sure what to write about this scripture because I need to meditate on it for a little longer. I haven't spent that much time meditating on it today. I'm going to have to withdraw from "30-Day Blogging Challenge ON HIATUS" Today's Reviews for "Game of Thrones" ![]() Review of "Kalamity" ![]() Review of "The Awakening" ![]() Review of "The Rescue of Brunel" ![]() Invalid Review ![]() Peace approaches through the smoke of Armageddon. In the voice of a Nightingale, peace calls to us, its song rising above the chaos of death. Completed and Uncompleted Poems Dedicated to The Blessed Beauty Posted in "Bicentenary Poems and Prose" ![]() Completed Poems 1 to 104, 106, 119, 123, 129, 131 Total Written = 109 Uncompleted Poems 105, 107 to 118, 120 to 122, 124 to 128, 130, 132 To Finish = 23 + 45 = 68 Day left 79 To the Blessed Beauty (1) Bahá, (2) Jalál, (3) Jamál, (4) ‘Aẓamat, (5) Núr, (6) Raḥmat, (7) Kalimát, (8) Kamál, (9) Asmá’, (10)‘Izzat, (11) Mashíyyat, (12) ‘Ilm, (13) Qudrat, (14) Qawl, (15) Masá’il, (16) Sharaf, (17) Sulṭán, (18) Mulk, (19) ‘Alá’, (20) Fiḍál, (21) ‘Idál, (22) Istijlál, and (23) Istiqlál. Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 4 Kamál (Perfection) 174 Badi - Thursday, August 3, 2017 CE "Praise be unto God, incomparable in majesty, power and beauty, peerless in glory, might and grandeur; too high is He for human imaginations to comprehend Him or for any peer or equal to be ascribed unto Him." Bahá’u’lláh9 I am not sure what to say about this quote. It eloquently states my belief about God; indeed, it states my view of the divine creator much better then I can. Therefore, I will go on with the way my morning went. I managed seven reviews for "Game of Thrones" Today's Reviews for "Game of Thrones" ![]() Review of "Being Self-Aware through the Golden Rule" ![]() Review of "Tobias the Torturer " ![]() Review of "My Cell Phone is Out to Get Me" ![]() Review of "The Shelter" ![]() Review of "Love Shouldn't Hurt" ![]() Review of "The Good Night Moon Captured It All" ![]() Review of "Hurting you is your fault" ![]() Thankful Thursday Gratitude List 01. I am thankful that I have completed over half the poems I am dedicating to the Blessed Beauty. 02. I am thankful that I was able to pay my past due internet bill today. 03. I am thankful that I finished the poem Sad Moments in Life and submitted it today. 04. I am thankful for the fresh brewed Folgers Black Silk coffee I had this morning. 05. I am thankful that my checking account is not overdrawn today. 06. I am thankful that I have an app on my smart phone that can access the prayers and scriptures revealed by Baha'u'llah. 07. I am thankful for the articles at Beyond Forgiveness http://beyondforeignness.org/ because they help me understand the message of Baha'u'llah and they give me ideas for poems and/or stories. 08. I am thankful that I was able to do some surveys today. 09. I am thankful for De. I need to show that I am thankful to have her help rather then just saying it. Completed and Uncompleted Poems Dedicated to The Blessed Beauty Posted in "Bicentenary Poems and Prose" ![]() Completed Poems 1 to 103, 106, 119 Uncompleted Poems 104 to 105, 107 to 117, 118, 120 to 124 To the Blessed Beauty (1) Bahá, (2) Jalál, (3) Jamál, (4) ‘Aẓamat, (5) Núr, (6) Raḥmat, (7) Kalimát, (8) Kamál, (9) Asmá’, (10)‘Izzat, (11) Mashíyyat, (12) ‘Ilm, (13) Qudrat, (14) Qawl, (15) Masá’il, (16) Sharaf, (17) Sulṭán, (18) Mulk, (19) ‘Alá’, (20) Fiḍál, (21) ‘Idál, (22) Istijlál, and (23) Istiqlál. Writing, rewriting, and editing are implements in a poet's toolkit. Footnotes |
‘Idál (Justice), 3 Kamál (Perfection) 174 Badi - Wednesday, August 2, 2017 CE "It is the light of the intellect which gives us knowledge and understanding, and without this light the physical eyes would be useless. This light of the intellect is the highest light that exists, for it is born of the Light Divine. The light of the intellect enables us to understand and realize all that exists, but it is only the Divine Light that can give us sight for the invisible things, and which enables us to see truths that will only be visible to the world thousands of years hence." ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a talk, Paris, November 5, 1911, ‘Paris Talks’)10 God's gift to humanity is the light of the intellect. Without this light humans would not be able to create art or discover the wonderful inventions that have been discovered over the decades. This light is born of the Divine Light, and human being received it when God created us. It is this light that helps use see truth, and assists us in accomplishing science and the other things humans accomplish. Today's Reviews for "Game of Thrones" ![]() Review of "The Adventures of Jade" ![]() Review of "The Guide" ![]() Review of "All Aboard for Detention- Flash Fiction" ![]() Invalid Review ![]() Review of "Daily Flash 3 : Woodland play" ![]() Review of "Miguel's Duty" ![]() Today I did 6 review for "Game of Thrones" ![]() Completed and Uncompleted Poems Dedicated to The Blessed Beauty Posted in "Bicentenary Poems and Prose" ![]() Completed Poems 1 to 94, 98, 100, 102, 106, 119 Uncompleted Poems 95 to 97, 99, 101, 103 to 105, 107 to 117, 118, 120 to 124 To the Blessed Beauty (1) Bahá, (2) Jalál, (3) Jamál, (4) ‘Aẓamat, (5) Núr, (6) Raḥmat, (7) Kalimát, (8) Kamál, (9) Asmá’, (10)‘Izzat, (11) Mashíyyat, (12) ‘Ilm, (13) Qudrat, (14) Qawl, (15) Masá’il, (16) Sharaf, (17) Sulṭán, (18) Mulk, (19) ‘Alá’, (20) Fiḍál, (21) ‘Idál, (22) Istijlál, and (23) Istiqlál. Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 2 Kamál (Perfection) 174 Badi - Tuesday, August 1, 2017 CE "The purpose of God in creating man hath been, and will ever be, to enable him to know his Creator and to attain His Presence. To this most excellent aim, this supreme objective, all the heavenly Books and the divinely-revealed and weighty Scriptures unequivocally bear witness." Bahá’u’lláh11 This is one of my favorite scriptures because it reveals why humans, as a species, were created. According to the writings of Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'l-Baha the only way to know God is through the prophets--manifestations of divine attributes--that God sends periodically to help humanity mature as a species or the individual evolve spiritually. Review of "The Case of the Curious Pear" ![]() Review of "Who is She?" ![]() Review of "If Words Could Kill" ![]() Review of "A night at Bidi's " ![]() Invalid Review ![]() Review of accomplishments on Monday, July 31, 2017, I accomplished both my B Priorities and one of my A Priorities. Since the "Game of Thrones" ![]() ![]() ![]() Completed and Uncompleted Poems Dedicated to The Blessed Beauty Posted in "Bicentenary Poems and Prose" ![]() Completed Poems 1 to 92, 98, 100, 102 Uncompleted Poems 93 to 97, 99, 101, 103 to 117 To the Blessed Beauty (1) Bahá, (2) Jalál, (3) Jamál, (4) ‘Aẓamat, (5) Núr, (6) Raḥmat, (7) Kalimát, (8) Kamál, (9) Asmá’, (10)‘Izzat, (11) Mashíyyat, (12) ‘Ilm, (13) Qudrat, (14) Qawl, (15) Masá’il, (16) Sharaf, (17) Sulṭán, (18) Mulk, (19) ‘Alá’, (20) Fiḍál, (21) ‘Idál, (22) Istijlál, and (23) Istiqlál. Footnotes |