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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. |
Istiqlál (Independence), 15 ‘Aẓamat (Grandeur) 176 B.E. - Friday, May 31, 2019 Peace Plan1 The Glory of God Has a plan for humankind That will put an end to war Gratitude List for 15 ‘Aẓamat Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
‘Idál (Jusitce), 13 ‘Aẓamat (Grandeur) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, May 29, 2019 Ascension of Baha'u'llah Gratitude List for 13 ‘Aẓamat Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Istijlál (Majesty), 14 ‘Aẓamat (Grandeur) 176 B.E. - Thursday, May 30, 2019 Gratitude List for 14 ‘Aẓamat Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Fiḍál (Grace), 12 ‘Aẓamat (Grandeur) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, May 28, 2019 "Every word is endowed with a spirit … One word may be likened unto fire, another unto light, and the influence which both exert is manifest in the world. Therefore an enlightened man of wisdom should primarily speak with words as mild as milk, that the children of men may be nurtured and edified thereby and may attain the ultimate goal of human existence which is the station of true understanding and nobility." Baha’u’llah2 The Power of Words3 Think before you speak Your words hove the power to Create or destroy Gratitude List for 12 ‘Aẓamat Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 11 ‘Aẓamat (Grandeur) 176 B.E. - Monday, May 27, 2019 "If any differences arise amongst you, behold Me standing before your face and overlook the faults of one another for My name's sake and as a token of your lvoe for My manifest and resplendent Cause." Baha'u'llah God Doesn't See Differences4 God doesn't see the differences of color, religion, gender, or nation. God looks within the individual human and sees the divine attributes that are reflected in the mirror of the soul. Gratitude List for 11 ‘Aẓamat Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Facebook Status Update It's Monday, May 27, I still have bedbug infested carpets. I removed the recliner I was sleeping on, and got something else that works. I can sleep in relative peace. I have contacted everyone I can think of, including code enforcement. I still have the damn carpets on the floors. In addition, I think there may be bedbugs in my clothes. Either that or the very thought of the creatures are making me itch. Taking a show works for a few minutes. Rubbing alcohol works better, but I don't have enough rubbing alcohol to take a bath in. I've gotten no satisfaction from anyone. I'm at my wits end. I need to get this carpet taken up and something else put down. Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 10 ‘Aẓamat (Grandeur) 176 B.E. - Sunday, May 26, 2019 "Verily I say, the creation of God embraceth worlds besides this world, and creatures apart from these creatures. In each of these worlds He hath ordained things which none can search except Himself, the All-Searching, the All-Wise." Bahá’u’lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh p. 187-188 "Regarding the passage on p. 163 of the 'Gleanings'; the creatures which Bahá’u’lláh states to be found in every planet cannot be considered to be necessarily similar or different from human beings on this earth. Bahá’u’lláh does not specifically state whether such creatures are like or unlike us. He simply refers to the fact that there are creatures in every planet. It remains for science to discover one day the exact nature of these creatures." Shoghi Effendi, Lights of Guidance p. 478 Life in the Universe5 Ear star has planets Each planet has its own life forms The galaxy and the universe created for life There are 156 days until October 29, 2019, and the celebration of the bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab. The commemoration of the Martyrdom of the Bab is 45 days away. The commemoration of the Ascension of Baha'u'llah is 3 days away. I need to put on my thinking cap (my grandmother's words) and write some more poems. I have finished 16 of the 200 I'm dedicating to the Bab. Gratitude List for 10 ‘Aẓamat Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 9 ‘Aẓamat (Grandeur) 176 B.E. - Saturday, May 25, 2019 Prayer for the Departed "O my God! O Thou forgiver of sins, bestower of gifts, dispeller of afflictions! Verily, I beseech thee to forgive the sins of such as have abandoned the physical garment and have ascended to the spiritual world. O my Lord! Purify them from trespasses, dispel their sorrows, and change their darkness into light. Cause them to enter the garden of happiness, cleanse them with the most pure water, and grant them to behold Thy splendors on the loftiest mount." ‘Abdu’l-Bahá6 Memorial Day Thoughts It's Memorial Day weekend, and most people will be barbecuing or going to Memorial Day sales. How many will think of why we commemorate Memorial Day? How many will think of the toll that war has on those who fight and come home alive? I know I didn't until I read the article No Bad Guys on Memorial Day ![]() Gratitude List for 9 ‘Aẓamat Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Saturday Afternoon7 Partly cloudy patches of blue sky peek through grayish-white clouds that are pushed by the wind toward the western mountains. Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 8 ‘Aẓamat (Grandeur) 176 B.E. - Friday, May 24, 2019 Today, 8 ‘Aẓamat, is the day we are celebrating the Declaration of the Bab. It is a Holy Day, on which work should be suspended; therefore, I chose not to do any surveys today because--at this point in my life--those are work. Instead I listed to two podcast, did some reviews, and writing. I feel relaxed and unworried. I'll go back to doing surveys either after sunset today--that's when 8 ‘Aẓamat ends--or when I get back online on Saturday, May 25. I feel so refreshed that I plan to make a habit of taking one day a week of survey work off. Next week I will take of May 29, 13 ‘Aẓamat, which is the Ascension of Baha'u'llah. After that, I plan to take Friday off survey work, unless there is a Holy Day during the week. If the week has a Holy Day in it, I will take the Holy Day off. I plan to begin this new schedule in June. Gratitude List for 8 ‘Aẓamat Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Istijlál (Majesty), 7 ‘Aẓamat (Grandeur) 176 B.E. - Thursday, May 23, 2019 "On this day in 1844 the Bab was sent forth heralding and proclaiming the Kingdom of God, announcing the glad tidings of the coming of Baha’u’llah and withstanding the opposition of the whole Persian nation. Some of the Persians followed Him. For this they suffered the most grievous difficulties and severe ordeals. They withstood the tests with wonderful power and sublime heroism. Thousands were cast into prison, punished, persecuted and martyred. Their homes were pillaged and destroyed, their possessions confiscated. They sacrificed their lives most willingly and remained unshaken in their faith to the very end. Those wonderful souls are the lamps of God, the stars of sanctity shining gloriously from the eternal horizon of the will of God." Abdu'l-Baha8 Declaration of The Bab9 It was the dawn of a new day for humanity when its unity became firmly established. Gratitude List for 7 ‘Aẓamat Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
‘Idál (Justice), 6 ‘Aẓamat (Grandeur) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, May 22, 2019 "The essence of all that We have revealed for thee is Justice, is for man to free himself from idle fancy and imitation, discern with the eye of oneness His glorious handiwork, and look into all things with a searching eye." Baha'u'llah10 Independent investigation is important, especially if people are to be a good citizen of the world or their native lands. I was never taught to investigate truth or anything else. As a child, I was expected to obey my parents and grandparent, which most of the time wasn't a problem. In school the only questions I was expected to ask or answer concerned the school work. In church and Sunday school, I was taught that the only truth was the Bible and the way the verses were explained by the preacher or the Sunday school teachers. An questions that didn't suite the Southern Baptist understanding of biblical scriptures was discouraged and left unanswered. I remember when I started asking questions. It occurred in a Sunday school class I attended at the First Southern Baptist Mission in the Smelter Heights in Blackwell, Oklahoma. I'm not sure how old I was at the time, perhaps I was in the first or second grade of regular school. Anyway, the lesson was "the only way to salvation" or something like that. My question had to do with the people who were born and died before Christ came into world history. After the instructor told us that the only way to salvation was through Christ, I ask what about the people who lived and died before Christ appeared. She told me I didn't need to worry about that because if they were good people, they would go to heaven. Telling me not to worry about something is the same as telling me it's something I have to worry about. From that encounter, I learned that I was expected to accept, without question, all the doctrines. It didn't stop me from asking questions, it just stopped me from asking them aloud. I finally got an answer to my question after I became a Baha'i and was introduced to the concept of Progressive Revelation. Gratitude List for 6 ‘Aẓamat Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Morning Rain11 Inhale the morning the fresh scent of rain washing the dust from the air. Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 5 ‘Aẓamat (Grandeur) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, May 21, 2019 “O thou who art the first to believe in Me! Verily I say, I am the Bab, the Gate of God, and thou art the Babu’l-Bab, the gate of that Gate. Eighteen souls must, in the beginning, spontaneously and of their own accord, accept Me and recognise the truth of My Revelation.” The Bab12 After sunset of May 22 in 1844 the Bab declared his mission to His first believer. That event, which occurred 175 was the beginning of the Baha'i Faith. The Bab, who was the forerunner of Baha'u'llah, declared his mission with the above . October 29 is the Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab, which is the first day of the twin holy days celebrated by the Baha'is across the planet. October 30, the second day of the twin holy days, is the celebration of the Birth of Baha'u'llah. The beginning of the Baha'i faith occurred on the night of the Declaration of the Bab. and it is from this moment that part of the inspiration for everything the Baha'is do come. Another moment of inspiration come from the Declaration of Baha'u'llah in April. Baha'is across the planet refer to The Bab and Baha'u'llah as the twin manifestations of God. Gratitude List for 5 ‘Aẓamat Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 4 ‘Aẓamat (Grandeur) 176 B.E. - Monday, May 20, 2019 "O thou who art longing to witness the lights from the Beauty Abha! Thy letter reached me at this moment and I was rejoiced at thine excellent words which proved the enkindlement of the fire of the love of God in thy heart. Be confident in the bounty of thy Lord. Verily He will make thee a manifest example and an evident proof for the attainment of His Kingdom in this glorious century. Then the fire of His love will flame in thy heart, the light of His knowledge will shine in thy face, thy tongue will speak with eloquent explanation and thy spirit will be attracted unto the kingdom of knowledge. O maid-servant of God! The Spirit knoweth the spirit, the Spirit addresseth the spirit and the Spirit associateth with the spirit…" It's Monday again. It's the third Monday in May 2019, a month with only four Mondays in it. I've lived in this apartment almost six months. I've lived in this apartment over five difficult months. I don't think the situation is getting worse, but I don't know that it's getting any better. I could be wrong, my situation could be getting better and I just don't see it. I think part of the problem is my focus. I need to focus on the bounty and blessings of God rather than the situation I find myself in. Gratitude List for 4 ‘Aẓamat Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Nightingales Gratitude15 Nightingales raise their songs in praise, intoning gratitude to the All-Glorious Lord: The Glory of God. Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 3 ‘Aẓamat (Grandeur) 176 B.E. - Sunday, May 19, 2019 "The endowments which distinguish the human race from all other forms of life are summed up in what is known as the human spirit; the mind is its essential quality. These endowments have enabled humanity to build civilizations and to prosper materially. But such accomplishments alone have never satisfied the human spirit, whose mysterious nature inclines it towards transcendence, a reaching towards an invisible realm, towards the ultimate reality, that unknowable essence of essences called God." Bahá’í Scripture I've written 15 poems dedicated to The Bab, and I have 185 to finish; at least, I think that's the count. I have to go back and check to make sure of the count, and see if any of the poems I have written need rewriting or editing. In addition, I think I have one poem in "Bicentenary Poems and Prose" The Soul's Goal16 To know and love God This is the goal of our souls Seeking transcendence Gratitude List for 3 ‘Aẓamat Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 2 ‘Aẓamat (Grandeur) 176 B.E. - Saturday, May 18, 2019 “God, the Unknowable Essence” "God in His Essence and in His own Self hath ever been unseen, inaccessible, and unknowable. By Presence, therefore, is meant the Presence of the One Who is His Vicegerent amongst men. We beseech Him -- exalted be He -- to aid every one to become the essence of truthfulness, and to draw nigh unto Him. He, verily, is the Lord of strength and power. No God is there but Him, the All-Hearing, the Lord of Utterance, the Almighty, the All-Praised." Bahá’í Scripture Sunday, May 19, is the devotional meeting at Baha'i Center, located at 7035 W. Oakey Blvd. in Las Vegas, Nevada. The theme for this month's devotional is “God, the Unknowable Essence”. I'm looking forward, as I do every month, to attending this devotional service. During the devotional portion of the meeting quotes from the Baha'i Scriptures, the Qur'an, the Christian Bible, and other sacred scriptures are read. At the end of the devotional portion announcements are made and questions are answered. The social portion, in which refreshments are served and more questions answers, is the last part of the meeting. There is a timeless quality about life-- about living-- which extends beyond what I know, and what I feel. It extends into an unknown realm; existing between illusion and reality, between dreaming and waking, between death and life. There is more to life than anything I have experienced, anything I have imagined. It is not that I am missing something, rather something exist which I cannot grasp, and cannot comprehend. This something I call God. He exist, though not in the same way as I, He is beyond all I know, all I see, all I feel. Without God there would be no Universe, no Life. Gratitude List for 2 ‘Aẓamat Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 1 ‘Aẓamat (Grandeur) 176 B.E. - Friday, May 17, 2019 Feast of Grandeur "Know verily nothing will benefit a person save the love of the Merciful One. Nothing illuminates a man's heart save the radiance which shines forth from the Kingdom of God! Put away every thought and doubtful mentioning and keep thy thoughts entirely on that which uplifts man to the heaven of the gift of God and that which causes every bird that belongs to the Kingdom to soar unto the incomparable realms, the center of everlasting grandeur in this world." Abdu'l-Baha18 This is the first day of ‘Aẓamat, the month of Grandeur. The first day of the month is the Feast Day of Grandeur, because that is when the nineteen-day feast for this month is usually held. The nineteen-day feast is divided into three portions: (1) the spiritual, (3) business, and (4) social. The spiritual portion consist of readings from the Baha'i scriptures, music, and prayer. During the business portion reports from the Local Spiritual Assembly (local governing body of the Baha'i Faith), letter from the National Spiritual Assembly, and the Universal House of Justice are read. In addition, the community members share suggestions with the LSA. During the social portion refreshments are served and the community members socialize. On the day of Baha, in the month of 'Azamat, united in purpose and harmonized in thought we celebrate... O Lord, Our diversity reveals the grandeur of Thy Cause. Men and women, adults and youth, raise their voices in praise at the Supper of the Lord. There are two upcoming Holy Days in ‘Aẓamat: (1) on 8 ‘Aẓamat (May 24) is the Celebration of the Declaration of The Bab, and (2) on 13 ‘Aẓamat (May 29) is the Commemoration of the Ascension of Baha'u'llah. In other news, I have finished 15 of 200 poem I am dedicating to The Bab, there are 164 days until October 29 (the Bicentenary of the Celebration of the Birth of the Bab), which is the deadline for finishing the 200 poems. Gratitude List for 1 ‘Aẓamat Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 14 Jamál (Beauty) 176 B.E. - Saturday, May 11, 2019 May Afternoon20 Pleasant afternoon A dog barks in the next block: Is he chasing cats? Gratitude List for 14 Jamál Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Jamál (Beauty), 15 Jamál (Beauty) 176 B.E. - Sunday, May 12, 2019 Mother's Day Facebook Status Update I'm sleepless in Las Vegas, but this isn't my usual bout of insomnia. I'm falling asleep at the keyboard; Thank God, I no longer drive or have a car. Two weeks without a decent night's sleep, and I don't see it getting any better. I'll call the leasing company on Monday, without any hope they'll do anything-- there are still items that needed fixing when we moved in. Two weeks of waking up in then middle of the night with stinging and itching arms and body. We've sprayed the furniture and the rug, but spray doesn't work; at least not to exterminate the problem. Gratitude List for 15 Jamál Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Kamál (Perfection), 16 Jamál (Beauty) 176 B.E. - Monday, May 13, 2019 Collage21 Clouds haphazardly Scattered across the blue sky Condensation trials Gratitude List for 16 Jamál Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Fiḍál (Grace), 17 Jamál (Beauty) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, May 14, 2019 Facebook Status Update I finally got a good night's sleep without bedbug biting. The bedbugs didn't make an appearance until sometime in April, so we didn't bring them with us. I suspect they were in the carpet. The problem has been turned into every one it can be turned into. We drug out the old recliner, and set it in front of the apartment. We brought in something that I can sleep in, it isn't a recliner, but it does lean back. It will work until I can afford to get a new or used recliner. I also took out a pillow. It was one of the magnetic pillows that was popular several years ago. It had a removable cover, which could be dry cleaned. I've had the pillow for years, never dry cleaned or washed the cover. Since I wasn't going to dry clean or wash the cover, I took the pillow out with the recliner. This morning I woke up and found out someone had taken the pillow. The pillow had bedbugs in it. Gratitude List for 17 Jamál Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ‘Idál (Justice), 18 Jamál (Beauty) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, May 15, 2019 Gratitude List for 18 Jamál Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Istijlál (Majesty), 19 Jamál (Beauty) 176 B.E. - Thursday, May 16, 2019 Gratitude List for 19 Jamál Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 7 Jamál (Beauty) 176 B.E. - Saturday, May 4, 2019 Spiritual Capabilities22 Spiritual capabilities allows humanity to discover the mysteries of the surround universe. We can chose the path we take, and change our minds when that path is no longer working. Jamál (Beauty), 8 Jamál (Beauty) 176 B.E. - Sunday, May 5, 2019 Reflections on the Day of Beauty23 Sunshine and coffee Another beautiful day A new week begins Fiḍál (Grace), 10 Jamál (Beauty) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, May 7, 2019 Nightingale's Song24 Listen for the Nightingale's song echoing from Paradise calling for love, peace, and unity. Istijlál (Majesty), 12 Jamál (Beauty) 176 B.E. - Thursday, May 9, 2019 Dawn in Las Vegas25 Silence Tranquility Dawn breaks over Sunrise Mountain Crowning its crest in glory Footnotes |