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. |
Jamál (Beauty), 7 Rahmat (Mercy) 176 B.E. - Sunday, June 30, 2019 "The pipes, the pipes are playing..." The music of my soul, Chords that fall like raindrops from mountain crest and castle wall, Wild notes from highland battles echoing both victory and defeat. "The pipes, the pipes are calling..." To my genetic roots; Recalling ancestral memories from glen and moor and bog, Memories of Gaelic gods and goddesses worshiped in Erin, in Scotland, in Man. "The pipes, the pipes are marching..." To a new song in this day, To a song of unity, faith, and freedom, A song that all humanity can sing. Gratitude List For 7 Rahmat Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 57,700 points in my YouGov account. ...for the fresh brewed hot coffee I had this morning. ...that I was able to finish Nationalism? The Right Question for These Turbulent Times by Harvey Garver, which is the first article in the series What Comes After Nations? . ...for the sweet roll I had to go with my coffee. ...that I have 928 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the bottles of cold water we have in the refrigerator. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 6 Rahmat (Mercy) 176 B.E. - Saturday, June 29, 2019 The Joy of Finding Baha'u'llah2 The joy of finding Baha'u'llah vibrates through my soul, reverberates through my mind, shattering doubt and fear, and regenerating love and faith. Gratitude List For 6 Rahmat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the banana I had for my first breakfast. ...that my SSI check came in today. ...for fresh brewed coffee. ...that I have 829 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the BBQ ribs I had for lunch. ...that I was able to complete The Historic Human Fraternity Document for World Peace by the editors of BahaiTeachings.org. This article gave me fresh insight into the The Human Fraternity Document signed by His Holiness Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahamad. Facebook Status Update Wind spins clouds to threads, Weaves threads into carpets, It scatters across the sky. Wind rips cloud carpets to shreds, Spins them to gossamer threads And weaves them into tapestries. Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 5 Rahmat (Mercy) 176 B.E. - Friday, June 28, 2019 Beacons3 Stars twinkle, glittering diamonds in a black velvet sky. Planet burn holes in the ebony blanket of night. planes fly across the firmament, their precious gem lights beacons guiding the mind to a conclusion. Each item has a specific attribute identifying it to the observer. Each is a beacon to the poet's muse. Gratitude List For 5 Rahmat Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 741 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the banana I had for my first breakfast. ...that my bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today ...for the pleasant morning because I could leave the door open for some fresh air. ...that "Flash of Inspiration" won first place in "Invalid Item" contest. Footnotes |
‘Idál (Justice), 3 Rahmat (Mercy) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, June 26, 2019 One Hundred Words4 I reread the words I'd written, I listened for the voice of fear, and found it expressed in each line. I heard the question reverberating through my mind: Can I write two hundred words? Did I detect the voice of terror echoing between the line? Were those tears I heard, in the unwritten words? One hundred words to motive. One hundred questions asked. Can one hundred questions be answered in one hundred words? Gratitude List For 3 Rahmat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the banana I had for my first breakfast today. ...that I have $16.32 in my Inbox Dollars account. ...for fresh brewed hot coffee. ...that I signed up for the "30-Day Blogging Challenge ON HIATUS" official month with "I Blog Poetry and Prose" . ...for the breakfast sandwich I had for my second breakfast today. Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 2 Rahmat (Mercy) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, June 25, 2019 Age after age the desert wind whispers through red stone canyons. While grain upon grain desert sand moves against sandstone cliffs. Carving images in the stone. Images to which we attach names. The Bee Hives, Elephant Rock, et cetera. Names and images which the coming aeons will erase. Gratitude List For 2 Rahmat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn this morning. ...for the banana I had with my coffee this morning. ...that I was able to transfer $10.31 from my Survey Junkie account to my checking account. Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 1 Rahmat (Mercy) 176 B.E. - Monday, June 24, 2019 Feast of Rahmat (Mercy) Facebook Statue Update It was a good day. I went to Devotional Services at the Baha'i Center and I started poem 24 of the 200 I'm writing the celebrate the Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab. Monday morning bird song echoes through my neighborhood, greeting the new workweek. Gratitude List For 1 Rahmat Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 799 point in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the banana I had for my first breakfast. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn this morning. ...for the $5.00 the Nielson company sent me for completing a mail-in survey. ...for the Grandma's chocolate chip cookies I have for my afternoon snack. ...that I received a merit badge today. |
Jamál (Beauty), 19 Núr (Light) 176 B.E. - Sunday, June 23, 2019 God is one! Composed Of two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen Water flows Religion is one! Water flows Across the face of the planet Two atoms of hydrogen and o ne atome of oxygen Descends in torrents From the clouds of mercy Humanity is one! Fresh or salt Rain or standing Water is composed Of two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen Gratitude List For 19 Núr Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the banana I had for my morning snack. ...that I have 648 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the chocolate cake I had to go with my coffee this morning. ...that I was able to attend Devotional Services today at the Baha'i Center. ...for the cranberry juice I had with my snack at the Baha'i Center. ...that I was able to purchase a Baha'i Date book for 176 B.E. ...for the Arizona sweet ice tea I have for my afternoon snack. ...that I received a merit badge today. Facebook Status Update Reading the revealed prayers aloud Calms both my mind and soul With the presence of the Holy Spirit Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 18 Núr (Light) 176 B.E. - Saturday, June 22, 2019 Energy leashed tugs at the brown leather strap pulls me forward. Distracted by the scent of another on a blade of grass. Specs deposits her own scent before moving on. Gratitude List For 18 Núr Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the fresh brewed coffee I had this morning. ...that I have 636 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the breakfast cake I had with my coffee this morning. ...that I was able to finish The Bab and Baha’u’llah: Two Divine Messengers by Steve McLean, which is third in the article series { xlink:https://bahaiteachings.org/series/the-dawn-of-a-new-faith}The Dawn of a New Faith{/xlink}. ...for the chocolate cake I had for my afternoon snack. Facebook Status Update Faith's pure water Flows from the Mountain of God Quenches humanity's thirst Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 17 Núr (Light) 176 B.E. - Friday, June 21, 2019 Facebook Status Update Sparrows are singing The sun is casting shadows A pleasant morning Gratitude List For 17 Núr Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the breakfast pastry I had to go with my fresh brewed coffee this morning. ...that I was able to pay the Cox internet connection bill today. ...for the inspiration of this beautiful Summer Solstice day. ...that I was able to finish the articles Believing in the Magic—and the Reality—of Intuition by Kathy Roman. ...for the Arizona sweet ice tea I have to drink this afternoon. ...that I have 937,167 GPs in my Gift Points account. ...for the brownie I had for my afternoon snack. Is It Writer's Block8 Sometimes, I don't know what to write because my muse has taken flight across a foggy lake of "I don't know what to write!" Is this writer's block? Is this the voice of my inner critic attempting to block my creativity? Footnotes |
‘Idál (Justice), 15 Núr (Light) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, June 19, 2019 Gratitude List For 15 Núr Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America account isn't overdrawn today. ...for the breakfast pastry I had to go with my morning coffee. ...that I have 365 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the cereal, canned peaches, and milk I had for breakfast. ...that I have $14.27 in my Inbox Dollars account. ...that I have 56,700 points in my YouGov account. Istijlál (Majesty), 16 Núr (Light) 176 B.E. - Thursday, June 20, 2019 Gratitude List For 16 Núr Today I am thankful ... ...that my bank of America Checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed hot coffee on the beautiful, almost summer day. ...that I have 460 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the banana I had with my lunch. ...that I have $15.08 in my Inbox Dollars account. ...for the chocolate cake I had for my evening snack. ...that I have $21.45 in my Vindale Research account. |
Kamál (Perfection), 13 Núr (Light) 176 B.E. - Monday, June 17, 2019 Motivation9 Inhale the fragrance of motivation and accomplishment: a busy day. Gratitude List For 13 Núr Today I am thankful ... ...that I had enough money in my checking account to cover the donation to the National Baha'i Fund. ...for fresh brewed coffee to go with my breakfast pastry this morning. ...that I have 233 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...that I was able to finish the article Racism as a Social and Spiritual Phenomena by Makeena Rivers. Fiḍál (Grace), 14 Núr (Light) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, June 18, 2019 Gratitude List For 14 Núr Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America account is not overdrawn this today. ...for the mini bagels and cream cheese I had for my fist breakfast. ...that I have $18.01 in my Send Earning s account. ...for fresh brewed hot coffee ...that I have 340 points in my Survey Junkie account. Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 12 Núr (Light) 176 B.E. - Sunday, June 16, 2019 Facebook Status Update Partly cloudy sky Reflects Sunday morning's mood, Neither depressed nor happy. Gratitude List For 12 Núr Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 137 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the fresh brewed cafe mocha I had this morning with my first breakfast. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn this morning. ...for the banana I have for my first breakfast this morning. ...that I was able to finish the article The Dawn of a New Faith—and the Persecution that Followed by Steve McLean. This is the second installment of the series The Dawn of a New Faith . |
Istiqlál (Independence), 10 Núr (Light) 176 B.E. - Friday, June 14, 2019 Gratitude List For 10 Núr Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the fresh brewed coffee I had this morning. ...that the $10.00 from PayPal hit my checking account today. ...for the honey bun I had with my coffee this morning. ...that the $11.00 from Survey Junkie hit my checking account today. ...for the grapes I had with my breakfast this morning. ...that I finished poem 121, "Unfailing Protection" , in the 200 I am writing to celebrate the anniversary of the Bicentenary of the Birth of The Bab. ...for the Arizona Sweet Ice tea I had to go with my lunch. Jalál (Glory), 11 Núr (Light) 176 B.E. - Saturday, June 15, 2019 Gratitude List For 11 Núr Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn this morning. ...for the fresh brewed coffee I have to drink this morning. ...that I have 111 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the banana I had for my first breakfast today. ...that I have 55,700 points in my YouGov account. ...for the cherry pastry I had to go with my coffee this morning. ...that I have 20.83 in my Vindale Research account. ...that I was able to finish "Kevin Locke" and enter it in "Invalid Item" . |
Istijlál (Majesty), 9 Núr (Light) 176 B.E. - Thursday, June 13, 2019 Facebook Status Update Another hot day in Vegas, the wind is blowing and no birds are singing; I think I'll turn on the cool air. Gratitude List For 9 Núr Today I am thankful ... ...that I was able to transfer $11.14 from my Survey Junkie account to my checking account. ...for the fresh brewed coffee I had this morning. ...that my Bank of America account is not overdrafted this morning. ...for the cherry breakfast pastry I had to go with my coffee this morning. ...that I have $20.08 in my Vindale Research account. ...for the mixed salad with boiled egg I had for lunch. ...that I have 9 points in my Survey Junkie account. Summer's Arrival10 Summer arrived eight days early with triple digit temperatures that cause power bills to rise toward the national debt. Air conditioners hum, their songs echoing through the neighborhood, while excessive heat warnings are sent to smartphones. Footnotes |
‘Idál (Justice), 8 Núr (Light) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, June 12, 2019 Submitted to "Spiritual Newsletter (June 12, 2019)" : "Baha'ullah, the latest in the line of divine prophets or messengers, encourages individuals to search for truth independently. Encourages us to ask questions, and to use our minds to find the answers. As a Baha'i, I recognize the divine foundation of all religions. God has sent different divine messengers to assist humanity in both its spiritual and material progress. Some of the messengers that we know about are Abraham, Moses, Krishna, Buddha, Zoroaster, Christ, Muhammad, the Bab, and Baha'u'llah." Gratitude List For 8 Núr Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn this morning. ...for Hershey's chocolate syrup because I can use it to make cafe mocha. ...that I have $18.78 in my Vindale Research account. ...for the doughnuts I have to go with my morning coffee. ...that I have 898 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for fresh brewed coffee from a drip coffeemaker. ...that I have 926,917 GPs in my Gift Points account. Jonah Inside the Belly of the Whale11 Averse to obey God's command darkness envelop the being swallowed by the leviathan of self. Stomach acids digest self's outer layer, leave, the inner kernel on its knees begging for salvation. Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 7 Núr (Light) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, June 11, 2019 I Write For My Beloved12 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 Núr Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 608 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the fresh brewed coffee I had this morning. ...that my Bank of America account is not overdrawn this morning. ...for the coffee flavored yogurt I had with my breakfast this morning. ...that we have a working air conditioner in this apartment. ...for the Arizona sweet ice tea I had with my lunch. ...that I can call on the Local Spiritual Assembly if I have problems. ...that I have five editor's picks for my next edition of the spiritual newsletter. Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 6 Núr (Light) 176 B.E. - Monday, June 10, 2019 Writing Poetry13 I am compelled to write! The words come to me as lovers; As lovers they tantalize and seduce, Making me their willing slave, Until I master the art of their seduction. Gratitude List For 6 Núr Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the fresh brewed coffee I had this morning. ...that I have 345 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the yogurt crunch I had for my morning snack. ...that I have a cane to help me get through the house. ...for the banana that I had for my afternoon snack. Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 5 Núr (Light) 176 B.E. - Sunday, June 9, 2019 Facebook Status Update He is the Royal Falcon My soul is a broken winged bird The Glory of God heals my drooping wings Gratitude List For 5 Núr Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn this morning. ...for the fresh brewed hot coffee I had this morning. ...that I was able to finish the article The Bab: The Dawn and Herald of the Baha’i Era by Steve McLean, which is the first in the series The Dawn of a New Faith . ...for the creme soda I had with my lunch. ...that I was able to finish the poem "The Martyrdom of The Bab" in "Bicentenary Poems and Prose" , which is number 20 in the 200 I'm writing to celebrate the Bicentenary of the Birth of The Bab. ...for the hotlinks I had for lunch ...that I have 86 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the beautiful, pleasant day because I can keep the door open for some fresh air. ...that I have $17.02 in my Vindale Research account. We ask questions all the time: Who, what, when, where, where, why, and how. The answers come in various forms, though they are often not what we want or expect. Are the questions we ask God and ourselves meant to elicit the answers we want or the answers we need. I find myself asking, "What am I doing wrong?" Doesn't this suggest that I expect to take the incorrect action? On the other hand, if I rephrase the question it becomes "What am I doing right?" Now I'm preparing my eyes to see reality. God put within me, within everyone, a s park of divine light. Rephrasing a question refocuses it on either the positive or the negative. It lets us see both what needs fixing and what is well done. God loves the individual and humanity, has a plan for each person and for civilization: There is always something the individual is doing right. Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 4 Núr (Light) 176 B.E. - Saturday, June 8, 2019 Facebook Status Update For Friday, June 7 You know you're getting old when you walk into the kitchen and ask: "What did I come after?" And decide that the best solution to the problem is another cup of coffee. Facebook Status Update For Saturday, June 8 Saturday morning The smoke alarm is sounding Breakfast is ready Gratitude List For 4 Núr Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America account is not overdrawn today. ...for chocolate doughnut to go with my coffee. ...that I have 55,200 points in my YouGov account. ...for the Arizona sweet ice tea I had this afternoon. ...that I have 32 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the cream soda I had with my evening meal. ...that I have $16.27 in my Vindale research account. Like battalion marching to war, Transporting victims of slaughter, Waves are marching into the shore. Pushing lathered whitecaps before, swells transport debris and water, Like battalions marching to war. As birds echoing the breakers roar, Scavenge the sea edge for fodder, Waves are marching into the shore. Suffers paddle away from the shore, Advancing past the breakwater. Like battalions marching to war. Billows recite ancient sea lore, As tourist ramp in the water, Wave are marching into the shore. Disgorging refuse on the shore, The sea returns our waste water: Like battalions marching to war, Waves are marching into the shore. Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 3 Núr (Light) 176 B.E. - Friday, June 7, 2019 In the words of Baha'u'llah, I find a fortress safe and strong where the cares and strife of modern life neither linger nor belong. His words inspire my heart to find the love that hate conceals, His pen inscribes upon my spirit the faith that tests reveal. His verses are my sanctuary bestowing peace on mind and soul, His sacred scriptures God's book of laws to which obedience is my goal. Gratitude List for 3 Núr Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank o f America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the cafe mocha I had with my sweet roll this morning. ...that the money I transferred from Survey Junkie yesterday hit my PayPal account. ...for the hard boiled eggs I had for breakfast. ...that I was able to finish the article God: Beyond the Idea of the Bearded Patriarch by Ali Helmy, because it gave me a deeper understanding of God's Unknowable Essence. ...for the beautiful and pleasant morning because I can keep the door open to get some fresh air into the house. ...that I was able to finish If We Have a Soul, Where Does it Live? by David Langness, which is the first article in the series The Existence of the Human Soul . ...that I received two merit badges today. The series of articles on BahaiTeachings.crg I'm reading. The Existence of the Human Soul The Baha'i Model of Penology Indigenous Messengers of God God Speaks Again Footnotes |