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 Gratitude breaks the spell of Writers Block |
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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. |
‘Idál (Justice), 1 Mashíyyat (Will) 174 BE - Wednesday, September 27, 2017 Feast of Mashíyyat (Will) It is the Feast Day of Mashíyyat, the air is crisp on this first feast after the Autumnal Equinox. The morning has been quiet and tranquil, but I just heard some neighbors talking loud. They aren't fighting, screaming, or shouting, so I suspect they are using their normal outdoor voices. The postal delivery person drove up and delivered some mail to the boxes outside. I need to open my box to see if we got anything important or unimportant, I don't like leaving letters or flies in the box overnight. "The time foreordained unto the peoples and kindreds of the earth is now come. The promises of God, as recorded in the holy Scriptures, have all been fulfilled." Bahá’u’lláh1 I'm feeling a bit melancholy this morning. It could be the results of autumn and the end of the year in about three months. Sometimes autumn produces sadness and nostalgia, perhaps I'm feeling nostalgic rather than melancholy. Autumn in Las Vegas, isn't like autumn in Oklahoma. The only hint of a seasonal change is the lower temperatures. Instead of triple digit, we're experiencing double digits in the medium to high 70s or low 80s. That's a lot better than temperatures in the 100s. I'll get over this feeling of nostalgia or melancholy quickly because of prayer, meditation, and writing. "O God, refresh and gladden my spirit. Purify my heart. Illumine my powers. I lay all my affairs in Thy hand. Thou art My Guide and My Refuge. I will no longer be sorrowful and grieved, I will be a happy and joyful being. O God, I will no longer be full of anxiety, nor will I let trouble harass me. I will not dwell on the unpleasant things of life. O God, Thou are more friend to me than I am to myself. I dedicate myself to Thee, O Lord." 'Abdu'l-Baha, (Baha'i World, Volume 11, p. 726) I think I'm doing alright. I finished "Belva's First Crisis" , and decided on two forms from this week's poetry newsletter to use as poems dedicated to the Blessed Beauty. Sometimes form poems are difficult to write; however, they are rewarding because it makes me feel good after accomplishing them. The forms I'm using are Monotetra and Monchielle. I need to come up with the first line, once I have the first line then the rest will follow. It won't follow easily, but it will follow.Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 18 ‘Izzat (Might) 174 BE - Monday, September 25, 2017 Last week, I posted my goals for the week of September 18-22 in this journal. After posting them, I didn't go back to check on them, and by the time Friday arrived I forgot about posting them. I accomplished to goals, but I'm not happy about the way I went about it, so this week I'll have to check my goals everyday to see what I need to accomplish that day. If I do that then I won't be writing or posting stuff at the last minute. "I am but a poor creature, O my Lord; I have clung to the hem of Thy riches. I am sore sick; I have held fast the cord of Thy healing. Deliver me from the ills that have encircled me, and wash me thoroughly with the waters of Thy graciousness and mercy." Bahá’u’lláh2 This is an appropriate prayer for today, as well as this week. I'm not feeling well this morning, but then it's Monday, so the cause may be the one med I take only on Monday. I thought I drink plenty of water with it, but I obviously didn't because my stomach is upset. I'll have to increase the water to half a bottle next Monday. In the mean time, the upset will go away after I eat lunch or as the day wears on. Perhaps the problem is the breakfast I ate. Maybe I should eat more then just grits for breakfast on Monday.  Review at least 4 items a day with 1 written by a newbie. Daily homework for The Grammar Garden. Daily homework for The Exploratory Writing Workshop. One Essay/story/poem and one activity about El Salvador for Week 11 of "Invalid Item" . Finish at least one poem dedicated to The Blessed Beauty and post in "Bicentenary Poems and Prose" .Footnotes |
I weep and I pray every day because... I live in a country where I am free to practice the Baha'i Faith without worrying about going to prison, but in Iran Baha'is are deprived of an education, work, and the ability to practice their faith because they are Baha'i. |
Kamál (Perfection), 112 ‘Izzat (Might) 174 Badi - Monay, September 18, 2017 CE I haven't written in this journal in 11 days, which may be causing part of the problems I'm having with scheduling. I appear to have fewer problems when I have a written list of my scheduled appointments. I have all my appointment on my phone, but a list that I can look at daily helps. Yesterday, I went to Spiritual Services at the Baha'i center. Suzie gave me a ticket for the bicentenary Celebration for the Birth of Baha'u'llah on Sunday, October 22. De will take me, but Suzie will bring me home. "This earthly life shall come to an end, and everyone shall expire and return unto my Lord God Who will reward with the choicest gifts the deeds of those who endure with patience." The Báb3 This is an inspiring (motivational) quotes because it encourages a person to keep working without complaining. I know I have problems with complaining, less today then I did several years ago, but I still have to deal with complaining on a personal level. Another thing I have improved on is placing my trust in Baha'u'llah. There was a time when I would pout all my problems in Baha'u'llah's hands and then attempt to take them back. I still have some issues with this; however, I am getting better at placing a problem in Baha'u'llah's hands and leaving it there. Review a minimum of 4 items each day with one written by a newbie. Work on homework for The Grammar Garden each day. Work on home work The Exploratory Writing Workshop each day. Create an activity and a written item for "Invalid Item" .I read "Operational Writing " and "Dramatic Premise and Themes" for The Exploratory Writing Workshop. I received a link for Show Not Tell http://www.foremostpress.com/authors/articles/show_not_tell.html in response to today's post in "Invalid Item" . I also begin poem 179 of the 200 poems dedicated to The Blessed Beauty, so I guess I'm doing alright with the writing this week. I did some survey on the My Survey website. I did increase the amount of points in that account, the problems is doing the surveys seemed to stress me. I think as soon as I get enough points in there to collect $10.00 I will withdraw. I'm not having fun doing the surveys any more, so I guess I should stop doing them. The final thing I accomplished today was beginning the essay about Brazil "Federative Republic of Brazil" .Footnotes |
  Fiḍál (Grace), 18 Asmá’ (Names) 174 Badi - Tuesday, September 5, 2017 CE Happy Birthday Writing.com It's Tuesday, and I have a lot to accomplish this week. I need to do some surveys because I have to start transferring, at least, $10.00 from PayPal to my savings to cover the fee Bank America is going to start charging this month. I'm placing everything in Baha'u'lah's hands because I can't do much about it. I'll have to check banks to see if I can change to one that has a smaller service charge. If I find one then I'll go through the hassle of switching to another financial institution. What that means is changing everything that automatically comes out of my checking. However, at this point I don't know what else to do. "O ye beloved of the Lord! Commit not that which defileth the limpid stream of love or destroyeth the sweet fragrance of friendship. By the righteousness of the Lord! Ye were created to show love one to another and not perversity and rancour. Take pride not in love for yourselves but in love for your fellow-creatures. Glory not in love for your country, but in love for all mankind. Let your eye be chaste, your hand faithful, your tongue truthful and your heart enlightened." Bahá’u’lláh4 This is one of my favorite scriptures because it emphasizes love. The world needs more love today. I went to the doctor today about my left leg. I'll have an out patient procedure on September 19 and a follow-up on September 21. Now I have to get to work finishing some things before Thursday or they will be late. Goals Accomplished Today  Review at least 4 items a day. Finished "Buffalo Wings" and submitted it to Journey Through the Genre.Footnotes |
  Kamál (Perfection), 17 Asmá’ (Names) 174 Badi - Monday, September 4, 2017 CE Happy Birthday Writing.com "To be silent concerning the faults of others, to pray for them, and to help them, through kindness, to correct their faults. To look always at the good and not at the bad. If a man has ten good qualities and one bad one, to look at the ten and forget the one; and if a man has ten bad qualities and one good one, to look at the one and forget the ten. Never to allow ourselves to speak one unkind word about another, even though that other be our enemy." ‘Abdu’l-Bahá5 As I get older, it seems to be a tiny bit easier to follow 'Abdu'l-Baha's advice. I'm not sure whether it has to do with maturity, making a better attempt to follow the Baha'i laws, or it I've just decided to pray instead of criticize. Whatever it is, I feel a lot better saying prayers for people instead of belittling them or criticizing. I still have a long way to go, but eventually I will get to the point that I feel I can follow this advices without difficulty. Goals Accomplished Today September 4 post goals for Week of 4-8 to "Weekly Goals" . Review at least 4 items a day. Daily work for The Grammar Garden Class. Daily work for The Exploratory Writing Workshop. Finishes at least 5 poems for "Bicentenary Poems and Prose" . Whatever else I can do while doing the above items. Posted to "Rhinestone Cowboys & Vietnam " . In "Bicentenary Poems and Prose" finished "Sulṭán" .I have 150 poems dedicated to the Blessed Beauty finished. I have 20 poems started, which gives a total of 170. I have 30 poems to start, which gives me 50 poems to finish in 46 day. This means I have to finish about 1.5 to 2 poems a day. Footnotes |
  Jamál (Beauty), 16 Asmá’ (Names) 174 Badi - Sunday, September 3, 2017 CE Happy Birthday Writing.com "O Son of Beauty! By My spirit and by My favor! By My mercy and by My beauty! All that I have revealed unto thee with the tongue of power, and have written for thee with the pen of might, hath been in accordance with thy capacity and understanding, not with My state and the melody of My voice." Bahá’u’lláh6 To me, this means that I, or any human being, have the capacity to understand the revealed Word of God. Sometimes we may have to give up the dogma are taught and the preconceived illusions we have about God and his messengers, but eventually, if we are willing to sacrifice our notions, we can understand God's word. I know I sometimes have difficulty understanding some of the scriptures, I take this to mean that I need to pray and meditation on the Word of God. Goals accomplished today. I posted to my offsite blog again today. Read "The Back Story" , and "The Before Snapshot" before Monday. Finish fantasy Newsletter Read "Invalid Item" do discussion questions and research before Monday.Footnotes |
 Jalál (Glory), 15 Asmá’ (Names) 174 Badi - Saturday, September 2, 2017 CE Happy Birthday Writing.com I usually meditate of an evening, after I say my prayers and, before I go to sleep. I'm having difficulty concentrating this morning. I'm not sure why, so I probably need to attempt to meditate a little bit this afternoon. I have a lot of reading and writing to do this weekend. I have to do it whether I can concentrate or not. I also have to get back to work on the poem dedicated to the Blessed Beauty. Since I finished the four reviews today, I'll work on some of the reading and writing after saying a prayer./dropcap} Goals accomplished today. Day 2 of posting to my offsite blog. Upload scanner for the week of August 27-September 2, 2017 on or before September 2. NCP RX Views Diary for the week of August 27-September 2, 2017 on or before September 2. Read "Auditioning the Central Character" September 1, and created "Character Sketch for Belva Sandoval" today. Finished reading "Discovering the Real Problem" and " A Want-Need-Desire (WND)" today. Finished poems "I an Proud To Be A World Citizen!" , "Wine of Certitude" , and "Letters from the Beloved" .I entered this, "Lion caught a bird, but did not know what to do with it. He let it go." in "Say It in Seventeen!" There are 50 days until October 22, 2017 when I have to have all the poems dedicated to the Blessed Beauty completed. I have 146 finished, and 23 started. I need to finish 54, with the one I have started but not finished. This means I need to finish 2 poems a day to complete the 20 by October 22, 2017 Footnotes |
** Image ID #2108429 Unavailable ** Istiqlál (Independence), 14 Asmá’ (Names) 174 Badi - Friday, September 1, 2017 CE Happy Birthday Writing.com "O peoples of the world! Forsake all evil, hold fast that which is good. Strive to be shining examples unto all mankind, and true reminders of the virtues of God amidst men. He that riseth to serve My Cause should manifest My wisdom, and bend every effort to banish ignorance from the earth. Be united in counsel, be one in thought. Let each morn be better than its eve and each morrow richer than its yesterday." Bahá’u’lláh8 I strive to follow this commandment, but sometimes I fail. I suppose that is natural since I am only human. The only thing I can do is pray for forgiveness when I fail and make more of an effort after that. I know that I just have to keep trying because when I stop trying that is when I truly fail. I attempt to move forward two steps, that way if I move backward one step then I am still making progress. Goals Accomplished today Paid Cox $107.24 Paid NV Energy 27.00 Finished and submitted "Before Labor Day" Footnotes |
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You kept hope, prayed, and that paid off.
Only bush honeysuckle in bloom. It's not very fragrant. The intoxicating vines bloom later. But we have lilacs... until this heat roasts them.