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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. |
Istiqlál (Independence), 8 Raḥmat (Mercy) 174 Badi - Friday, June 30, 2017 CE "Concentrate all the thoughts of your heart on love and unity. When a thought of war comes, oppose it by a stronger thought of peace. A thought of hatred must be destroyed by a more powerful thought of love. Thoughts of war bring destruction to all harmony, well-being, restfulness and content.Thoughts of love are constructive of brotherhood, peace, friendship, and happiness." Abdu’l-Baha1 Love and unity are positive, while war and hatred are negative. Therefore, thoughts love and unity are stronger then negative thoughts such as war and hatred. All positive thoughts and actions are stronger then negative thoughts and actions because positive thought descend from the spiritual realm while negative thoughts and actions are reflections of the human being's animal ego.  Finished essay for "Invalid Item" "Fighting Global Warming in China" . Finished story for "Quotation Inspiration: Official Contest" "Cathedral of Lost Souls" . Accomplished review goal. I'm still working on the poems.Footnotes |
‘Idál (Justice), 6 Raḥmat (Mercy) 174 Badi - Wednesday, June 28, 2017 CE "Were a man in this day to adorn himself with the raiment of trustworthiness it were better for him in the sight of God than that he should journey on foot towards the holy court and be blessed with meeting the Adored One and standing before His Seat of Glory. Trustworthiness is as a stronghold to the city of humanity, and as eyes to the human temple. Whosoever remaineth deprived thereof shall, before His Throne, be reckoned as one bereft of vision." Bahá’u’lláh2 Reading this quote reminded me that I have a lot of writing projects I have to catch up on. I don't know if I'll be able to get everything caught up before July 1. I think the best thing to do is start with the closest deadline and work backwards from there. The problem is that I'm stuck on the one with the closest deadline, but I just start writing and see what I come up with. I need to finish it by Friday. I can get a lot accomplished today if I don't let myself waist time. My problem is that when I have a deadline I stress and find busy work to procrastinate with. I have finished and submitted the story "Cathedral of Lost Souls" to "Quotation Inspiration: Official Contest" .Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 4 Raḥmat (Mercy) 174 Badi - Monday, June 26, 2017 CE Prayer for the Departed "O my God, O Forgiver of sins and Dispeller of afflictions! O Thou Who art the Pardoner, the Merciful! I raise my suppliant hands to Thee, tearfully beseeching the court of Thy divine Essence to forgive, through Thy grace and clemency, Thy handmaiden who hath ascended unto the seat of truth. Cause her, O Lord, to be overshadowed by the clouds of Thy bounty and favor, immerse her in the ocean of Thy forgiveness and pardon, and enable her to enter that sanctified abode, Thy heavenly Paradise. Thou art, verily, the Mighty, the Compassionate, the Generous, the Merciful." ‘Abdu’l-Bahá3 This morning I'm a little sad because I miss Mama. She has been in the Abha Kingdom since November 29, 2012, I know that she is happy because she is with Baha'u'llah and her parents. I still miss her and cry, at least, once a month. I also miss Grandma and Grandpa; however, I have gotten used to missing them and crying because I miss them. I don't think I have gotten used to missing Mama. I don't think I will ever get used to missing Mama and wanting her with me. I had intended to write something else, but then I got to looking through the Baha'i Words folder in my Cox inbox. I found this prayer and realize I did not say a prayer for the departed this morning. Now that I have said the prayer, I will get on with this entry. I intended to write about my motivation this week, and thinking about motivation always brings Mama to mind because she always encouraged and motivated me. Complete poem I have started and submit. Complete short story I have started and submit. Complete two items for "Invalid Item" , submit one by Friday and the other by Sunday. Review as many items as possible with newbie items as a priority.I didn't get much writing accomplished today, but I did make several phone calls and took care of some business. I'm feeling less depressed this afternoon. I have more to do tomorrow, but this evening I'm going to write and/or do surveys. Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 14 ‘Núr (Light) 174 Badi - Saturday, June 17, 2017 CE "Be always kind to everyone and a refuge for those who are without shelter. Be daughters to those who are older than you. Be sisters to those who are of your own age. Be mothers to those who are younger than yourselves. Be nurses to the sick, treasurers for the poor, and supply heavenly food to the hungry." 'Abdu’l-Bahá4 Kindness should be the watchword of every person of faith. Sometimes it is difficult to show kindness to people who aren't kind to you, but those are exactly the one a persons needs to be extra kind to. You don't have to let them run over or brow beat you, but you should show enough kindness to say a silent prayer for them. There have been times in my life when I didn't show kindness to others, but I can't go back in time to change that. I can, however, change the way I respond to people in the present and the future. 200 Poems by October 22, 2017 According to my calculations, October 22 is only 127 days away. I set the goal today when I was reading posts on Facebook. Someone posted, to one of the groups I belong to, that he or his friend would writ 200 blog entries dedicated to the Blessed Beauty. At the time, I didn't realize how short a time was left, but, even if I had known, I don't think it would have mattered because I still would have set the goal. I don't think a time limit was given; however, I decided I needed to give myself a deadline. I chose October 22, because it is the 200th Anniversary of Baha'u'llah's birth. In order to accomplish this goal, I have to write approximately one and a half poems a day. I have to face the possibility that I may not be able to write two poems a day. The important thing is to make a faithful attempt at achieving the goal. I already wrote one poem today dedicated to the Blessed Beauty which I posted in "Melting Snow" "Creation Saturday: There is Only One Way Out" . I will post a copy of each poem in "Bicentenary Poems and Prose" when they are finished. I don't know if I have to rewrite the first poem yet because I need to let it lay a couple of days before deciding that.Light Bulb Moments: To the Blessed Beauty A light bulb moment After prayer, meditation, And contemplation. Footnotes |
‘Idál (Justice), 11 Núr (Light) 174 Badi - Wednesday, June 14, 2017 CE "The first duty prescribed by God for His servants is the recognition of Him Who is the Dayspring of His Revelation and the Fountain of His laws, Who representeth the Godhead in both the Kingdom of His Cause and the world of creation. Whoso achieveth this duty hath attained unto all good; and whoso is deprived thereof hath gone astray, though he be the author of every righteous deed. It behoveth every one who reacheth this most sublime station, this summit of transcendent glory, to observe every ordinance of Him Who is the Desire of the world. These twin duties are inseparable. Neither is acceptable without the other. Thus hath it been decreed by Him Who is the Source of Divine inspiration." Bahá’u’lláh5 It's Wednesday and time for a Midweek Reflections entry. I've already made two of those entries in "Melting Snow" I submitted the following to "Spiritual Newsletter (June 14, 2017)" : I am a Baha'i. Baha'i fast for nineteen days between sunup and sundown. Our fast occurs during the month of ‘Alá’ which falls the first nineteen days of March. The end of the Nineteen Day fast is Naw-Ruz (it falls on the vernal equinox). I am now 70 years old, so I am no longer required to fast, but when I was fasting I can assure you that watching other people eat or drink didn't bother me.I took the personality test mentioned in "Short Stories Newsletter (June 14, 2017)" , and it turns out I'm a Mediator Personality (INFP-T). I'm 70% introvert, 86% intuitive, 67% feeling, 86% perspective, and 54% turbulent. As a Mediator my role is diplomat and my strategy/goal is constant improvement. I submitted my results in a comment to this newsletter.Today's Accomplishments Donated a package to "Invalid Item" : Review three poem and give an awardcon to my favorite. Set up template for July fantasy newsletter. Finished and submitted "Invalid Entry" to "Comma Sense Classroom Forum" .Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 8 Núr (Light) 174 Badi - Sunday, June 11, 2017 CE "In this Most Great Dispensation Thou dost accept the intercession of children in behalf of their parents. This is one of the special infinite bestowals of this Dispensation. Therefore, O Thou kind Lord, accept the request of this Thy servant at the threshold of Thy singleness and submerge his father in the ocean of Thy grace, because this son hath arisen to render Thee service and is exerting effort at all times in the pathway of Thy love. Verily, Thou art the Giver, the Forgiver and the Kind!" 'Abdu’l-Bahá6 I think I'll write a prayer-poem for Father's Day. I didn't get to say good-bye to Daddy before he died. I don't remember saying good-bye to him before he left our house for the last time before Mom got the divorce. I can understand why Mom divorced Dad. I can understand why Mom's parents didn't want him to see us (at least I don't think they did). I've been using my emotions for Dad in fiction stories about woman getting closure because they didn't say good-bye to their father, but that doesn't seem to help me get closure. Maybe I'm not supposed to get closure on this subject, but, rather, continue using it to inspire short stories and poems. Perhaps writing is a way of getting closure. Review, at least, 25 items during the week with, at least, 5 of those written by newbies. Finish "Comma Sense Classroom Forum" Week 6 Assignment and post it before 6/15/17. Write and post, at least, 2 items to "Invalid Item" . One before 6/16/17. Post a minimum of 3 entries to Poet 999 - A Butterfly Emerges From her Cocoon https://poet999.blogspot.com/ Work on entry for "Quotation Inspiration: Official Contest" . Unsubscribe to, at least, 3 survey groups. Keep better track of my accomplished goals. Research the next entry in "Bicentenary Poems and Prose" .I finished my edition of the fantasy newsletter and submitted it. As usual, I'm having second thoughts about what I wrote. Maybe I should have picked another subject; however, at the time I chose it I felt it was a good idea. Perhaps it's just that I always have second thought about what I write. I think my problem and low self-esteem has more to do with events in my childhood then anything else. Perhaps I need to write a couple of letters dealing with some of the garbage I'm still dealing with. The first two letters I need to write are to J.S. about the way he sexually abuses my sister and I. I know my sister doesn't want to admit that it happen, but I can't worry about that because she has to deal with her own shit from that experience. “A difficult time can be more readily endured if we retain the conviction that our existence holds a purpose – a cause to pursue, a person to love, a goal to achieve.” John C. Maxwell (Psycho-Cybernetics) Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 7 ‘Núr (Light) 174 Badi - Saturday, June 10, 2017 CE "O SON OF SPIRIT! My claim on thee is great, it cannot be forgotten. My grace to thee is plenteous, it cannot be veiled. My love has made in thee its home, it cannot be concealed. My light is manifest to thee, it cannot be obscured." Bahá’u’lláh7 This is Week 2 of "Invalid Item" , I have written four items and posted them in the contest forum. For Week 1 I wrote "'Abdu'l-Baha's Journey in America" and "America, Who Can Make You Great Again?" , and for Week 2 I wrote "Transylvania in the Movies" and "Queen Marie of Romania" . Even though, I may have to edit the essays later, I am happy with them right now. The quiz I am contented with the quiz because it is the first one I have done.Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 2 Núr (Light), 174 Badi - Monday, June 5, 2017 CE Motivational Monday "God the true One is My Witness! This is the Day whereon it is incumbent upon everyone that seeth to behold, and every ear that hearkeneth to hear, and every heart that understandeth to perceive, and every tongue that speakest to proclaim unto all who are in heaven and on earth, this holy, this exalted, and all-highest Name." Bahá’u’lláh8 This quote encourages me to proclaim Baha'u'llah's name. I know opportunities will present themselves several times this week, I just have to be on the lookout. This morning, while I was waiting for De to pick me up at Dr. Woodson's office, I said the Teaching Prayer for the Western State. I don't know why, I said the prayer then because normally I would wait until I got home. While I was saying the prayer birds started singing. I thought this was interest because one of the phrases in that prayer is "This is a broken winged bird--and his flight is very slow--assist him so that he may fly toward the apex of prosperity and salvation,..."9 I think the birds begin singing because God and Baha'u'llah were encouraging me to proclaim Baha'u'llah's name. Finish fantasy newsletter due on 6/12/17. Finish this week's work for "Comma Sense Classroom Forum" before 6/8/17. Review at least 25 items this this week. Review at least items by newbies this week. Submit at least two items (one an activity) to "Invalid Item" I believe I'll have to slow down on the surveys. I did surveys on the Inbox Dollars website today, but I don't think I'll do any more surveys right now. I need to write a blog entry for my offsite blog and then work on the homework for the comma class. I'll have to pace myself so that I can accomplish all my goals this week. Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 18 ‘Aẓamat (Grandeur), 174 Badi - Friday, June 2, 2017 CE "Whoso hath searched the depths of the oceans that lie hid within these exalted words, and fathomed their import, can be said to have discovered a glimmer of the unspeakable glory with which this mighty, this sublime, and most holy Revelation hath been endowed." Bahá’u’lláh10 I think I've discovered a glimmer of the glory in the revelation of Baha'u'llah, but I know it's only a slight glimmer because the ocean of the Revelation of Baha'u'llah is far reaching. I'm living in the early stages of this revelation, only a century into the Revelation and two centuries after Baha'u'llah's birth, so I can't claim to know everything. I know the future is glorious without knowing what the future holds. Right now the world seems to be falling apart, but this is all part of God's great plan for humanity and the planet. Goals I Accomplished This Week Post, at least, every-other-day to Poet999 - A Butterfly Emerges From Her Cocoon Completed "Comma Sense Classroom Forum" by Thursday, June 1. Complete week 1 of "Around the World in Fifty-Two Weeks" . Review, at least, a total of 20 items for the week with 5 written by newbies. Respond to, at least, one blog prompt in "Melting Snow" each day. Make a list of goals to complete in June. The main goal for June is to create my website.I'm depressed. I don't know why, but it could be I'm worried about my financial problems. I paid the post due power bill yesterday after I returned home from cashing Faye's check and getting my hair cut. I, also, made out the money order for the rent. I'm not paying the rent online any more for reasons I don't want to go into here. It cost money for the money order, but that is better then depositing a check in the bank and then taking it out immediately. I checked my horoscope this morning, which is something I rarely do anymore. Perhaps if I took a paper then I'd read it more because the online horoscopes aren't as entertaining as those in the paper. Today's Questionable Advice "Jun 2, 2017 - Fear about your financial security could plague you today, Capricorn. Dissatisfaction with some of work you've been doing and delays in reaching some of your goals might have you wondering what you could do better. Doubts about a friend's motives might cause you to waver in your trust of that person. Take the time to consider everything objectively. All is probably not as it seems."11 I have to agree with the last sentence in the horoscope "All is probably not as it seems." It's evening now, so I've stopped worrying. Today the worries and depression struck in the afternoon. Sometimes it strikes in the morning and sometimes later at night. 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.