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. |
ʻIdál (Justice), 2 Sharaf (Honor) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, January 1, 2020 Facebook Status Update I am dealing with 2020! I am setting goals, which I will reevaluate at Naw-Ruz. I am dealing with 2020 one day-at-a-time, one prayer-at-a-time, one cup of coffee-at-a-time. Gratitude List for 2 Sharaf Today I am thankful ... ...for the turkey drumstick I had for breakfast. ...that I have 679 in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the Christmas cookies I have to go with my coffee. ...that my bank of America account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this chilly winter's morning. ...that I h ave 2,269,024 GPs in my Gift Points account. ...for the merit badge I received. New Year Poem1 I walk into the New Year of 2020, trembling with anticipation, but without fear. What adventures, tears, and pain with this year bring. I inhale the chill in the air, I look forward to spring, Naw-Ruz, and the vernal equinox. Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 1 Sharaf (Honor) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, December 31, 2019 Facebook Status Update Wishing everyone who celebrates the Gregorian New Year, a Happy New year. I also wish a Happy Decade to those who start the new decade in 2020 instead of 2021 (which is actually the start of the new decade). Gratitude List for 1 Sharaf Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the fresh brewed coffee I had on this beautiful winter morning. ...that I have 630 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the banana and cinnam0n toast I had for breakfast. ...that my Inbox Dollars account has $29.14 in it. ...for the Arizona ice tea of had with my evening meal. ...that I have $25.99 in my Send Earnings account. ...for the merit badge I received. Winter New Year2 The Gregorian year dies on a cold winter's night and is reborn in the snow of morning. Champagne and fireworks say good-bye to the old and welcome in the new, with resolutions that might be kept thirty-one day. Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 19 Masáʼil (Questions) 176 B.E. - Monday, December 30, 2019 December 20193 The days grow slowly longer as a New Year and a new decade approach. Fear and hope mingle in the minds of humanity, as one emotion attempts to push the other out of the way. Gratitude List for 19 Masáʼil Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 530 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the chocolate stars I have for my bedtime snack. ...that my bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed coffee on this beautiful winter morning. ...that I have 2,264,599 GPs in my Gift Points account. ...for the salad I had for lunch. Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 18 Masáʼil (Questions) 176 B.E. - Sunday, December 29, 2019 Crown of Glory: A Memory4 Dawn's rays embraces the crest of Sunrise Mountain turning its crest to burnished gold, and the air to fiery orange. Like prayers rising from my soul Glory's Crown expands until the sun breaks through the fire and the crown disappears. Gratitude List for 18 Masáʼil Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 329 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the chocolate stars I have for my evening snack. ...that I was able to finish the article The Zoroastrian Prophecies about the Bab and Baha’u’llah by Christopher Buck. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this chilly winter morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the french toast, eggs, and sausage I had for breakfast. ...that I have 2,262,494 GPs in my Gift Points account. Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 17 Masáʼil (Questions) 176 B.E. - Saturday, December 28, 2019 Facebook Status Update Grandma used to say, What you do on New Year's Day you will be doing the rest of the year. So on this upcoming New Year's Day let us pray for Peace on Earth. Gratitude List for 17 Masáʼil Today I am thankful ... ...for fresh brewed coffee on this chilly winter morning. ...that I was able to finish the article Meeting the Man Who Met Baha’u’llah by Joseph Roy Sheppherd. ...for the chocolate stars I had for my bedtime snack. ...that I have 290 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the leftover pizza I had for breakfast this morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrafted today. ...for the Chinese food I had for dinner today. ...that I finished transcribing "Roughing It: A Book Report" . |
Istiqlál (Independence), 16 Masáʼil (Questions) 176 B.E. - Friday, December 27, 2019 Toast for 20205 May the opportunities, joy, pleasings, and love increase exponentially as the New Year and the new decade progresses. Gratitude List for 16 Masáʼil Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 262 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this rainy winter morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the banana I had to gov with my coffee. ...that I was able to finish Discovering the Spiritual Meaning of Dreams by Radiance Talley. ...for the rain we received in Las Vegas this morning. ...that I have 2,228,169 GPs in my Gift Points account. ...for the pizza and ginger ale I had for dinner. Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 15 Masáʼil (Questions) 176 B.E. - Thursday, December 26, 2019 The Fragrance of Winter6 Inhale the fragrance of winter, as the year and decade draw to a close. Inhale the crisp air of morning, proclaiming new opportunities to anyone willing to take a chance on success. Gratitude List for 15 Masáʼil Today I am thankful ... ...that I had 1,062 points in my Survey Junkie account. I had $10.62 transferred to my PayPal account. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful winter morning. ...that I have 115 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the brownie I had to go with my coffee. ...that I was able to transfer $11.00 from my PayPal account to my checking account. ...for the banana I have for my first breakfast. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. Footnotes |
ʻIdál (Justice), 14 Masáʼil (Questions) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, December 25, 2019 Christmas Memories7 I have Christmas memories both light and dark, memories that spark both laughter and tears. I have Christmas memories-- melancholy echoes-- of a holiday I no longer celebrate. Gratitude List for 14 Masáʼil Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 972 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for fresh brewed coffee on this beautiful Christmas morning. ...that I was able to complete Abdu’l-Baha’s First Christmas by David Langness. ...for the banana I had to go with my coffee. ...that I have 2,214,869 GPs in my Gift Points account. ...for the merit badge I received. Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 13 Masáʼil (Questions) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, December 24, 2019 Birthday Poem8 At 73 I don't want to cut down a living Christmas Tree. I want the tree left in its natural habitat to release oxygen into the air, and help fight global warming and climate change. Gratitude List for 13 Masáʼil Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 895 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for fresh brewed coffee on this chilly winter morning. ...that I won first place in "The Prompt Me Contest" round 173 ...for the mini cupcakes I had to go with my coffee. ...that I have 2,207,094 GPs in my Gift Points account. ...for the banana I had for my first breakfast ...that I received flowers for my birthday. ...for the merit badges I received today, Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 12 Masáʼil (Questions) 176 B.E. - Monday, December 23, 2019 My Birthday Eve9 On the eve of my 73rd birthday, I contemplate the passing year, while looking forward to a New Year and a new decade. What will the New Year bring? What blessing will the new decade bestow? I don't know, so I will move forward with faith and confidence in the All-Glorious Lord! Gratitude List for 12 Masáʼil Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed coffee on this beautiful winter morning. ...that I have 751 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the blue berry yogurt I had to go with my coffee. ...that I have 2,187,174 GPs in my Gift Points account. ...for the merit badge I received. Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 11 Masáʼil (Questions) 176 B.E. - Sunday, December 22, 2019 Winter 201910 Finally winter! The temperature and the season coincide inspiring winter constellations to send their twinkling joy to warm the hearts of poets and lovers in cold midnight hours. Gratitude List for 11 Masáʼil Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 621 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the good night's sleep I got last night. ...that "Happy Thanksgiving" won first place in the November "Invalid Item" contest. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful winter morning. ...that "New Year's Toast" won first place in the "Invalid Item" contest. Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 10 Masáʼil (Questions) 176 B.E. - Saturday, December 21, 2019 Winter Solstice Memories11 Flicks of light reflect from tumbling leaves, as starlight dances to the ground autumn gives birth to winter. Blue-gray clouds protect Last minute Christmas shoppers From the sun's cold rays. Gratitude List for 10 Masáʼil Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 451 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the cinnamon roll I had with my morning coffee. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed coffee on this beautiful winter morning. ...that I am one of the winners of "Invalid Item" with "Caroling Stars" . ...for the banana I had for breakfast. ...that I have 1,172,339 GPs in my Gift Points account. ...for the chicken fingers with buttermilk dressing I had for lunch. Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 9 Masáʼil (Questions) 176 B.E. - Friday, December 20 2019 After Midnight12 After midnight the seconds become minutes suspended on the event horizon of a black hole. A black hole that pulls and stretches the minutes into hours longing for dawn. After midnight the mind falls into a cogitative languor waiting for the hours to be pulled into days. Days overflowing with the agony of months stretching into years. After midnight the eyes stare into years elongating into decades. Decades pulled second by second into centuries that are pulled minute by minute into millennia that are stretched hour by h our into aeons. Gratitude List for 9 Masáʼil Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 341 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for fresh brewed coffee on this beautiful Friday morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the Starbucks egg & cheese snack I had for breakfast. ...that I was able to finish The Parallels Between John the Baptist and the Bab by Christopher Buck, Part 55 in the series Figuring Out Prophecy . ...for the banana I had with my coffee this morning. ...that I have 2,163,689 GPs in my Gift Points account. Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 8 Masáʼil (Questions) 176 B.E. - Thursday, December 19 2019 Midnight Prayer13 Midnight I awaken to silence and feel the tranquility that beckons me to prayer and meditation. I access the prayer app on my smartphone, find the Midnight prayer and intone the words written by 'Abdu'l-Baha: "O Lord,..." Gratitude List for 8 Masáʼil Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 1,040 points in my Survey Junkie account, because I can request $10.40 transferred to my PayPal account. Then transfer $10.00 to my checking account. ...for fresh brewed coffee on this beautiful Thankful Thursday morning. ...that "The Ornaments on a Christmas Tree" was featured in "Fantasy Newsletter (December 18, 2019)" . ...for the Christmas cookies I had to go with my coffee. ...that I have 89 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the cottage cheese and peaches I had for breakfast. ...that my Bank of America Checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the Arizona sweet tea I had with my lunch. Footnotes |
ʻIdál (Justice), 7 Masáʼil (Questions) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, December 18 2019 I Write of My Beloved14 I write of my Beloved Through whom my fingers bend To pick up my pen! I write of my salvation Using ink drawn from my ow2n veins To document my liberation! I write of my pain Caused by my ego's attempt to gain My soul's allegiance! I write of my fears Caused by the disempowering years In Self's prison! Gratitude List for 7 Masáʼil Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 1,027 points in my Survey Junie account. ...for fresh brewed coffee on this chilly autumn morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the Christmas cookies I have to go with my coffee. ...that I have $25.57 in my Send Earnings account. ...for the banana I had for my morning snack. Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 6 Masáʼil (Questions) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, December 17 2019 World of the Spirit15 lose is for the material world death and taxes flowers wilt in their vase death's cold kiss on a tear streaked face this is matter not spirit spirit ascends always rising spirit isn't in the body this body is the umbilical cord connecting spirit and matter Gratitude List for 6 Masáʼil Today I am thankful ... ...for the Starbucks eggs and cheese box I had for my second breakfast. ...that I have 727 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful Tuesday morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the Christmas cookies I had to go with my coffee. ...that I have 2,044,239 GPs in my Gift Points account. ...for the banana I had for my first breakfast. Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 5 Masáʼil (Questions) 176 B.E. - Monday, December 16 2019 Feels Like Winter16 Six days until winter solstice and the chill in the air penetrates my bones making me wish for summer's triple digit temperatures. Gratitude List for 5 Masáʼil Today I am thankful ... ...for fresh brewed coffee on this beautiful Monday morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not over drawn today. ...for the homemade fruit bread I had to go with my coffee. ...that I was able to finish What the Pentecost Means Today by Dale Fowler. ...for the banana I had with my cereal this morning. ...that I have 503 points in my Survey Junkie account. Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 4 Masáʼil (Questions) 176 B.E. - Sunday, December 15 2019 Make a Commitment for 202017 Weariness overcomes, as I contemplate the year's end. What resolutions did I make? What resolutions did I keep? What resolutions did I break? I come to a decision! It's time to change my resolutions to commitments. Gratitude List for 4 Masáʼil Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 305 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for fresh brewed coffee on this beautiful Sunday morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the mini chocolate covered doughnuts I had to go with my coffee. ...that I have 2,032,514 GPs in my Gift Points account. ...for the Arizona sweet ice tea I had with my lunch. Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 3 Masáʼil (Questions) 176 B.E. - Saturday, December 14 2019 Gratitude List for 3 Masáʼil Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America Checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed coffee on this beautiful Saturday morning ...that I have 10,950 in my YouGov account. ...for the strawberry shortbread cookies I have to go with my coffee. ...that I have 235 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the spaghetti I had for lunch. ...that I have $3.86 in my Vindale Research account. ...for the banana I had with my lunch. ...that I received a merit badge. |
Istijlál (Majesty), 1 Masáʼil (Questions) 176 B.E. - Thursday, December 12 2019 Gratitude List for 1 Masáʼil Today I am thankful ... ...that my poem "Ayyam-i-Ha: The Holiday Season" was featured in "Spiritual Newsletter (December 11, 2019)" . ...for fresh brewed hot coffee on this beautiful morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the Christmas gift I received when I picked up my Senior Commodities today. ...that I have 10 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the merit badge I received today, Istiqlál (Independence), 2 Masáʼil (Questions) 176 B.E. - Friday, December 13 2019 Gratitude List for 2 Masáʼil Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed hot coffee on this beautiful morning. ...that I have 131 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the banana I had for breakfast. ...that I have 2,029,464 GPs in my Gift Points account. ...for the double chocolate mini cupcakes I had with my coffee. |