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), 3 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Sunday, September 29, 2019 Facebook Status Update Beautiful Sunday Chilly autumn breeze blowing Warning of winter Gratitude List for 3 Mashíyyat Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 434 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for fresh brewed hot black coffee on the beautiful Sunday morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the grapes I had with my breakfast this morning. Kamál (Perfection), 4 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Monday, September 30, 2019 After School1 Children laughing Playing tag and shouting Autumn afternoon Gratitude List for 4 Mashíyyat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn toda y. ...for fresh brewed black coffee. ...that I have 801 in my Survey Junkie account. Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 1 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Friday, September 27, 2019 Gratitude List for 1 Mashíyyat Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 344 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for fresh brewed black coffee. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn this morning. Jalál (Glory), 2 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Saturday, September 28, 2019 Gratitude List for 2 Mashíyyat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account isn't overdrawn this morning. ...for fresh brewed strong black coffee. ...that I have 407 [points in my Survey Junkie account. ...that I have 67,450 in my YouGov account. ...for the chocolate chip cookie I had as my afternoon snack. ...that I have 1,388,439 GPs in my Gift Points account |
‘Idál (Justice), 18 ‘Izzat (Might) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, September 25, 2019 Gratitude List for 18 ‘Izzat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful morning. ...that I have one item to put in Reader's Feed back for the October spiritual newsletter. ...for the chocolate cake I had with my lunch. ...that I have 1,015 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the Arizona sweet Ice tea I had this afternoon. ...that I could redeem the points in my Survey Junkie account for $10.15 to my PayPal account. Istijlál (Majesty), 19 Izzat (Might) 176 B.E. - Thursday, September 26, 2019 Gratitude List for 19 ‘Izzat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today ...for fresh brewed black coffee this morning. ...that I was able to transfer $10.00 from my PayPal account to my checking account. ...that I have 19 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...that I have $42.44 in my Vindale research account. |
Kamál (Perfection), 17 ‘Izzat (Might) 176 B.E. - Monday, September 23, 2019 Facebook Status Update I will be getting a new phone number. Those of you who have the number of the house phone can contact me that way. Anyone who has one of my e-mail addresses can contact me that way. I will contact anyone who I have a number for as soon as I can get it off my old smart phone, which is rebooting itself at random intervals. Gratitude List for 17 ‘Izzat Today I am thankful ... ...that I have my expenses (at least those I know about) listed for October. ...for fresh brewed black coffee. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdraft. ...for the chocolate cup cake I have to go with my coffee. ...that I have completed 142 poems of the 200 I am writing to celebrate the Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab. Fiḍál (Grace), 18 ‘Izzat (Might) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, September 24, 2019 Facebook Status Update I confess my sins to Baha'u'llah, Asking forgiveness from the Glory of God. Gratitude List for 18 ‘Izzat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful autumn morning ...that I have a little over $5.00 in my savings account. ...for the chocolate cup cake I have to go with my coffee. ...that I have 620 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the ground coffee that my neighbor gave me when she threw out her coffeemaker. ...that I have completed 144 of the 200 poems I am writing for the Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab. ...that I have $42.13 in my Vindale Research account. ...that I have 66,850 points in my YouGov account. I Smile2 I smile through the pain I cannot let the darkness gain a hold on my soul. I call on Baha'u'llah, intoning prayers for healing, prayers asking forgiveness, and prayers beseeching assistance. I smile knowing that the All Glorious Lord will answer my prayers. Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 16 ‘Izzat (Might) 176 B.E. - Sunday, September 22, 2019 "The gift of God to this enlightened age is the knowledge of the oneness of mankind and of the fundamental oneness of religion. War shall cease between nations, and by the will of God the Most Great Peace shall come; the world will be seen as a new world, and all men will live as brothers." Abdu'l-Baha God's Gift3 God's gift is oneness: One Divine Creator sent the messengers of each religion to the human race. Gratitude List for 16 ‘Izzat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the Oreo cookies I had to go with my coffee this morning. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful Sunday morning. ...that I was able to attend Devotional Services at the Baha'i Center today. ...for the chocolate cake and cherry pie I had at the Center. ...that I have 317 points in my Survey Junkie account. Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 15 ‘Izzat (Might) 176 B.E. - Saturday, September 21, 2019 Spiritual Happiness "Spiritual happiness is eternal and unfathomable. This kind of happiness appeareth in one's soul with the love of God and suffereth one to attain to the virtues and perfections of the world of humanity. Therefore, endeavor as much as thou canst in order to illumine the lamp of thy heart with the light of love." Bahá’í Writings The Love of God4 It is the love of God that encourages us to develop spiritual perfections and virtues. It is the love of God that ignites the lamp of the soul with spiritual happiness. Gratitude List for 15 ‘Izzat Today I am thankful ... ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful Saturday morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the chocolate cupcake I had with my coffee this morning. ...that I have 140 completed of the 200 I am writing for the celebration of the Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab. ...that I have 294 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...that I have 1,344,874 GPs in my Gift Points account. Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 13 ‘Izzat (Might) 176 B.E. - Thursday, September 19, 2019 Gratitude List for 13 ‘Izzat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed coffee on this beautiful morning. ...that I was able to pay the Cox Communication's bill today. ...for the doughnuts I had to go with my coffee. ...that I have 1,070 points in my survey Junkie account. I can h ave $10.70 transferred to my PayPal account. ...for the chicken pot pie I had for lunch today. ...that I was able to transfer $10.00 from my PayPal account to my checking account. ...for the Arizona sweet Ice tea I had this afternoon. ...that I have $41.13 in my Vindale Research account. ...that I have 237 points in my Survey Junkie account. Istiqlál (Independence), 14 ‘Izzat (Might) 176 B.E. - Friday, September 20, 2019 Gratitude List for 14 ‘Izzat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn. ...for the chocolate cup cake I had to go with my coffee this morning. ...that the $10.00 from PayPal hit my checking account today. ...for fresh brewed black coffee. ...that I received my Baha'i ID card today. The new one is beautiful and has a picture of the Baha'i Temple of North American on it. ...for the yogurt I had with my breakfast this morning. |
‘Idál (Justice), 11 ‘Izzat (Might) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, September 18, 2019 Submitted to "Spiritual Newsletter (September 18, 2019)" : Sophy, Maybe the third bricklayer considered his job as a means of worshiping God. Baha'u'llah in his Tablet Glad-Tidings (The twelfth Glad-Tidings): "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..." The idea that work is worship of God changes a person's attitude about any job they hold. Gratitude List for 11 ‘Izzat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful morning. ...that I have 801 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the apple pie I had to go with my coffee this morning. ...that I have completed 136 of the 200 poems I am writing for the Bicentenary celebration of the Birth of the Bab. ...for the stuffed Jalapeno, strawberries, and chocolate cupcake I had for lunch. Why Worry5 Why are you worrying, just place the problem in the Hands of God, the All-Sufficing. Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 9 ‘Izzat (Might) 176 B.E. - Monday, September 16, 2019 Gratitude List for 9 ‘Izzat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn this morning. ...for fresh brewed hot coffee. ...that I have 256 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...that I have 131 poems completed of the 200 I'm writing to celebrate the Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab. ...that I was able to listen the the first three songs of 30 Baha’i Blog Studio Sessions Based on the Writings of the Bab , while writing "Singing the Scred Scriptures a Three-Five-Seven poem" in "Snow's Writing for 2019, 2020, & Beyond" . ...that I have $40.30 in my Vindale Research account. https://dailygalaxy.com/2019/09/the-ultimate-mystery-consciousness-may-exist-in-... Fiḍál (Grace), 10 ‘Izzat (Might) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, September 17, 2019 Gratitude List for 10 ‘Izzat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful morning. ...that I have 310 point in my Survey Junkie account. |
Jalál (Glory), 7 ‘Izzat (Might) 176 B.E. - Saturday, September 14, 2019 Gratitude List for 7 ‘Izzat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn this morning. ...for fresh brewed black coffee. ...that I got a good night's sleep last night. ...for the Danimal yogurt I had for breakfast. ...that I have completed 128 poems in the 200 I'm writing for the bicentenary celebration o f the Birth of the Bab. ...for the ginger ale I had as my afternoon snack. ...that I have 32 points in my Survey Junkie account. Jamál (Beauty), 8 ‘Izzat (Might) 176 B.E. - Su nday, September 15, 2019 Facebook Status Update Sunday morning the aroma of bacon frying and coffee brewing brings back pleasant memories of my Grandparents. Gratitude List for 8 ‘Izzat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn this morning. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful Sunday morning. ...that I was able to finish the article Remembering “Forgotten” Indigenous Religions by Christopher Buck & Kevin Locke. ...for the pork chilly I had for lunch. ...that I have 66,000 points in my YouGov account. ...that I have 55 points in my Survey Junkie account. Sunday Afternoon Poem6 Beautiful Sunday a partly cloudy sky, with a slight wind. Pigeons have returned to their nests, no sparrows are singing, the afternoon sun cast shadows across the sidewalk. Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 6 ‘Izzat (Might) 176 B.E. - Friday, September 13, 2019 Facebook Status Update Fear of Friday the 13th is either Paraskevidekatriaphobia or Friggatriskaidekaphobia. Don't be afraid of big words, even those you can't pronounce. Gratitude List for 6 ‘Izzat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful morning. ...that I had 1,070 points in my Survey Junkie account, because I was able to transfer $10.70 to my PayPal account. ...that I was able to transfer $11.00 from my PayPal account to my checking account. Friday Poem7 Friday at last time to rest-- or at least pause-- from workweek stress. https://curiosity.com/topics/the-big-bang-wasnt-actually-the-beginning-of-the-un... Footnotes |
‘Idál (Justice), 4 ‘Izzat (Might) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, September 11, 2019 Facebook Status Update I'm so tired of logging into Facebook and finding out that someone from the east has attempted to log into my account, which forces me to change my password. The only advantage I can see to that is, at least, it's keeping my brain active remembering the new password. This wasn't the rant I intended for today. Gratitude List for 4 ‘Izzat Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 420 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for fresh brewed black coffee. ...that my Bank of America checking account isn't overdrawn this morning. ...for the breakfast pastries I had to go with my coffee this morning. ...for hot water so that I could take a hot shower. Istijlál (Majesty), 5 ‘Izzat (Might) 176 B.E. - Thursday, September 12, 2019 Pushing Through Writer's Block8 The words, where did they go are the hidden in the snow covering both subject and theme. Sometimes that's how it seems; don't give up instead begin to write whatever is on your mind. The only way to overcome writer's block is to push through it. Gratitude List for 5 ‘Izzat Today I am thankful ... ...for fresh brewed coffee on this beautiful Thursday morning. ...that I have 681 in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the chocolate milk I had for lunch. ...that my Bank of America account is not overdrawn today. Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 3 ‘Izzat (Might) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, September 10, 2019 Coffee9 Coffee-- Strong Hot Black-- awakens mind and body with its taste and aroma: A good start to the day. Gratitude List for 3 ‘Izzat Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 332 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful Tuesday morning ...that my Bank of America account is not overdrawn today. ...for the breakfast pastries I have to go with my coffee. ...for the Canada Dry ginger ale I had with my lunch today, ...that I have 1,330,364 GPs in my Gift Points account. Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 2 ‘Izzat (Might) 176 B.E. - Monday, September 9, 2019 Monday's Poem10 Monday's poem is motivation, writing line and stanza, metaphor and simile, rhymed or not-- while attempting to remain awake. Gratitude List for 2 ‘Izzat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed coffee this morning. ...that I had 1,069 points in my Survey Junkie account. I was able to redeem it for $10.69 to my PayPal account. ...for the breakfast pastries to go with my coffee. ...that I was able to transfer $11.00 from my PayPal account to my checking account. ...that I have 133 points in my Survey Junkie account. Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 1 ‘Izzat (Might) 176 B.E. - Sunday, September 8, 2019 Feast of 'Izzat "O God Omnipotent, do Thou shield us and be our refuge and, O Lord of Being, show forth Thy might and Thy dominion." Abdu'l-Baha11 Depend Upon God12 Depend upon the might of the Lord. Never doubt God's love and protection. Pray for strength to pass the test of love; God knows what you need and what you want before you ask. Gratitude List for 1 ‘Izzat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed black coffee. ...that I have 959 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for breakfast pastries to go with my coffee. ...that I received a merit badge. Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory ), 19 Asmá’ (Names) 176 B.E. - Saturday, September 7, 2019 Gratitude List for 19 Asmá Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account isn't overdrawn. ...for fresh brewed black coffee this morning. ...that I was able to finish the article Celebrating the Souls of Your Grandparents by David Langness. ...for the breakfast pastries I to go with my coffee. ...that I have 932 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the grapes I had with my breakfast. |
Istijlál (Majesty), 17 Asmá’ (Names) 176 B.E. - Thursday, September 5, 2019 Gratitude List for 17 Asmá Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed coffee this morning. ...that the money I from the loan hit my checking account today. ...for the sweets I have to go with my coffee. ...that I have 299 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the Arizona sweet Ice tea I had for lunch. ...that I have 65,400 points in my YouGov account. ...for the Cheetos puffs I had for my afternoon snack. ...that I have 1,099 talk minutes left on my phone. ...that I have $38.48 in my Vindale Research account. Istiqlál (Independence), 18 Asmá’ (Names) 176 B.E. - Friday, September 6, 2019 Gratitude List for 18 Asmá Today I am thankful ... ...that I was able to get my hair cut today . ...for the chocolate milk I had this evening. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...that I have 478 points in my Survey Junkie account. |
Fiḍál (Grace), 15 Asmá’ (Names) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, September 3, 2019 Gratitude List for 15 Asmá Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed black coffee. ...that I have 167 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the peanut butter cookie I have to go with my coffee. ...that I have 1272,062 GPs in my Gift Points account. ...for the cherries I had for my evening snack. ...that I finished two poems in "Bicentenary Poems and Prose" . ...that I have $37.86 in my Vindale research account. ...that I received a merit badge. ‘Idál (Justice), 16 Asmá’ (Names) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, September 4, 2019 Gratitude List for 16 Asmá Today I am thankful ... ...that I was able to get a good night's sleep last night. ...for fresh brewed hot coffee. ...that I have 1,390,487 GPs in my Gift Points account. ...for the peanut butter cookie I had to go with my coffee this morning. ...that I was able to get a $220.00 loan today, which I'll pay back in three installments. ...for the banana I had as my mid morning snack. ...that my Bank of America account is not overdrawn today. ...for the smoked turkey sandwich I had for lunch. ...that I have 177 points in my Survey Junkie Account. |
Kamál (Perfection), 14 Asmá’ (Names) 176 B.E. - Monday, September 2, 2019 Facebook Status Update For the second time in two months my Facebook account has been locked because someone halfway across the country attempt to get in. I changed my pass word, but this doesn't help my mood. I didn't get a lot of sleep last night and now I'm getting pissed. Gratitude List for 14 Asmá Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the fresh brewed coffee I have this morning. ...that I have 130 Points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the peanut butter cookie I had with my coffee this morning. ...that I have $37.39 in my Vindale Research account. ...for the Arizona sweet ice tea I had this afternoon. ...that I was one of today's 19 reviewing winners. Labor Day 201913 My neighborhood is quiet, no cars parked along the curb, temperatures in the mid nighties, and the sky is clearing of clouds. Some of the neighborhood children are outside playing, some are inside, and others are off on adventures of their own. It's a pleasant Monday, a pleasant Labor Day. Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty}, 13 Asmá’ (Names) 176 B.E. - Sunday, September 1, 2019 Happy Birthday, Writing.com14 Happy Birthday, Writing.com, Today you are 19 years old, We celebrate the joy of writing. Gratitude List for 13 Asmá Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn. ...for fresh brewed black coffee. ...that I was able to pay the rent today. ...for chocolate cookies to go with my coffee. ...that I have 120 points in my Survey Junkies account. ...that I have $36.78 in my Vindale Research account. ...for the merit badges I received today. Footnotes |