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. |
Poem: Editing a Novel Posted https://poet999.blogspot.com/2020/06/poem-editing-novel.html June 9, 2020 Sometimes, when I go to rewrite, I look at the plot and wonder what I--or perhaps my character-- was thinking. At other times, my plot is hidden beneath a plate of spaghetti without meatballs. |
Istijlál (Majesty), 13 ʻAẓamat (Grandeur) 177 B.E. Thursday, May 28, 2020 Ascension of Baha'u'llah Prayer For Inspiration "Grant, O Thou Loving Lord, that all may stand firm and steadfast, shining with everlasting splendour, so that, at every breath, gentle breezes may blow from the bowers of Thy loving-kindness, that from the ocean of Thy grace a mist may rise, that the kindly showers of Thy love may bestow freshness, and the zephyr waft its perfume from the rose garden of divine unity." Abdu’l-Baha1 I give thanks for inspiration, for the promptings of my soul that helps my use my sense perception to find beauty in the world. I give thanks for meditation, which lets me use my reason contemplate traditions that helps me find for inspiration. Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 6 ʻAẓamat (Grandeur) 177 B.E. Thursday, May 21, 2020 Another Thankful Thursday and I have several things to be thankful for. The mask I wear when I leave the house. That the Paratransit ride are free for now. $160.00 energy assistance paid to Nevada Power. That my mail in ballet is completed and mailed. The food I receive from the Senior Commodities program. The hair cut I got last week. The hair color I received this week. My new vibrating recliner. My blue stuffed kitty stress ball. |
Istijlál (Majesty), 18 Jamál (Beauty) 177 B.E. Thursday, May 14, 2020 I am thankful I started a new normal today by having my haircut short. Everyone is talking about a new normal. What is this new normal everyone is talking about? Is it making a appointment to have your haircut, while wearing a mask? Perhaps its letting go of the past, or starting the day with a new point of view. Maybe it's forgiving those who have put down and wronged you. What does a new normal mean to you? |
Jamál (Beauty), 14 Jamál (Beauty) 177 B.E. Sunday, May 10, 2020 Mother's Day Happy Mother's Day, Mama, I miss you so much more today than I did when you passed away. I remember the Mother's Day celebration, and the Holy Day commemorations that we attended together before Alzheimer's stole your memories. Now all I can do is say prayers for the advancement of your soul and hope to meet you again in the Abha Paradise. |
Jalál (Glory), 13 Jamál (Beauty) 177 B.E. Saturday, May 9, 2020 It's Saturday! It's the day before Mother's Day! Mother's Day is a day of joy and sadness, of laughter and tears, of memories that come unbidden into a daughter's mind. It's been 8 years, since I celebrated Mother's Day with my mother. On Mom's last Mother's Day, I remember her laughing, but I can't remember why she laughed; perhaps it was at a silly joke I told or something we watched on television. It doesn't matter why she was laughing, because it was her laughter that was important and keeps echoing through my mind. |
Istijlál (Majesty), 11 Jamál (Beauty) 177 B.E. Thursday, May 7, 2020 On Wednesday, May 6, I begin reading a series of articles titled Unearthing the Hidden Words by David Langness. There are 33 parts to this series. The first part is Discovering the Hidden Words . I wrote a little bit about this article in "Hope and The Hidden Words" , I'm going the read this article again before going on God's First Counsel . I'm thankful for the internet, because I can access both the sacred scriptures and articles about them. |
May 2, 2020: A Beautiful May Morning It's a beautiful May morning, with a gentle breeze blowing through the city. Inhale the fragrance of the morning and give thanks to the All-Glorious Lord for another day of life. May 9, 2020 Prayer for My Mother Oh Thou Lord of all religions, Oh Thou All-Glorious Creator, Thank you for my mother, bless her in her ascent through the spiritual world as she continues her journey toward You. |
Istijlál (Majesty), 4 Jamál (Beauty) 177 B.E. Thursday, April 30, 2020 The Eleventh Day of Ridvan I'm thankful that I found several of my mother's poems. I added one to "My Mother's Poems" "Mother's Day" . I'm also thankful that I survived April. |
Istijlál (Majesty), 16 Jalál (Glory) 177 B.E. Thursday, April 23, 2020 The Fourth Day of Ridvan On the Fourth Day of Ridvan I am thankful ... ...for all the merit badges I received between April 17 and April 20. |
Istijlál (Majesty), 9 Jalál (Glory) 177 B.E. Thursday, April 16, 2020 Gratitude makes each morning better than last evening, and each day better than yesterday. In this time of adversity and uncertainty-- when we don't know if the senior citizen who just delivered our lunch order has COVID-19-- we give thanks for our food, place everything in the hands of God, and get on with our day. Gratitude and thanksgiving helps us deal with the uncertainties of everyday life. Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 2 Jalál (Glory) 177 B.E. Thursday, April 9, 2020 Gratitude List for 2 Jalál Today I am thankful ... ...for the birds I heard singing this morning. ...that I have 352 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the fresh brewed coffee I had this morning. ...that I received my prescriptions for Lisinopril and Levothyroxine today. ...for the doughnuts I had with my coffee this morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the partly cloudy sky because the sun shines through once in a while. ...that I have $3.56 in my Inbox Dollars account. ...for the grapes I had as my afternoon snack. |
Istijlál (Majesty), 14 Bahá (Splendor) 177 B.E. Thursday, April 2, 2020 "Therefore, we must thank God that He has created for us both material blessings and spiritual bestowals. He has given us material gifts and spiritual graces, outer sight to view the lights of the sun and inner vision by which we may perceive the glory of God. He has designed the outer ear to enjoy the melodies of sound and the inner hearing wherewith we may hear the voice of our Creator." ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 4 I give thanks to the Lord for the sparrows nesting in the pine tree. I give thanks to the Lord for the wind blowing through the palm trees. I give thanks to the Lord for the bright sun and blue sky. Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 12 Bahá (Splendor) 177 B.E. Tuesday, March 31, 2020 I Am An Elder5 Do not call me elderly: I am an elder! An Elder, with sixty plus years of wisdom acquired through surviving in a materialistic society that values youth and beauty more than age and wisdom. Do not dismiss me or my ideas with "OK Boomer!" show a little respect and listen to what I have to say; even if you don't take my advice, you may hear something interesting about history and elder wisdom. Gratitude List for 12 Baha Today I am thankful ... ...that the $10.08 I transferred from PayPal hit my checking account today. ...for fresh brewed coffee on this beautiful spring morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account isn't overdrawn today. ...for the chocolate chip cookies I had with my coffee t his morning. ...that I have 15 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the can peaches I had as my morning snack. ...that I completed the two most important activities I've been putting off. ... for the merit badge I received today. Xoloitzcuintle https://www.petmd.com/dog/breeds/c_dg_xoloitzcuintli_xolo_dog https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xoloitzcuintle https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/xoloitzcuintli/ Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 11 Bahá (Splendor) 177 B.E. Monday, March 30, 2020 Facebook Status Update Sparrows sing on the beautiful spring morning giving thanks for the blue sky and bright sunshine Gratitude List for 11 Baha Today I am thankful ... ...that I was able to get my blood draw accomplished quickly today. ...for fresh brewed coffee on this beautiful spring morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account isn't overdrawn today. ...for the crumb cake I have to go with my coffee this morning. ...that I have 1,008 points in my Survey Junkie account. I transferred $10.08 to my PayPal account. ...for the chocolate pudding I had for an afternoon snack. ...that I could transfer $10.08 from my PayPal account to my checking account. ...for the merit badge I received today. On a Spring Morning in 20206 The chill in the morning air doesn't stop the birds from singing or building nest. I listened to them as I waited for the paratransit bus to take me to my obligatory blood draw. Social distancing ignored because I need my med refiled and the doctor won't refill them without the blood work report. Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 10 Bahá (Splendor) 177 B.E. Sunday, March 29, 2020 Faith's Candle7 Oh, Lord, thank you for lighting the candle of my faith, so that I may proclaim God's Most Great Name to every seeker after truth. Oh, Lord, let my candle burn casting the light of love and faith across the universe. Gratitude List for 10 Baha Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account isn't overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed coffee on this beautiful spring morning. ...that it is warm enough today to keep the front door open. ...for the chocolate cake I had to go with my coffee. ...that I have 836 points in my Survey Junkie account. Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 9 Bahá (Splendor) 177 B.E. Saturday, March 28, 2020 Getting Out of Your Rut8 Has social distancing put you in a rut. You don't have to get out of the house to get out of your rut, all you have to do is get up and chase the mouse through the house. What? You don't have a mouse in your house! In that case I suggest you do what my mother and grandmother always did when they were in a rut: rearrange the furniture. Gratitude List for 9 Baha Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed coffee on this chilly spring morning. ...that I have 804 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the chocolate cake I have to go with my coffee. ...that I have 16,800 points in my YouGov account. ...for the deviled eggs and crackers I had for lunch. ...that I called the power company yesterday. The managed to get my current bill down to $88.77. ...for the chilly dogs I had for dinner. ...that I have 1,105,937 GPs in my Gift Points account. ...for the merit badge I received today. Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 8 Bahá (Splendor) 177 B.E. Friday, March 27, 2020 Stay at Home9 Stay at home out of the crowds, stay healthy and don't bitch or groan. Stay at home until this health crisis passes, and when it does go to a movie, out to eat, or for a walk around the block. Stay at home and work online, or pick up the telephone and call a friend. Gratitude List for 8 Baha Today I am thankful ... ...for fresh brewed coffee on this beautiful spring morning. ...that I was able to get a ride from RCT Paratransit through MTM for Monday, March 30. Pick up time from home is between 6:58-7:25 a.m. and from Quest between 9:30-10:00 a.m. ...for the doughnut holes I had with my coffee. ...that my Bank of America checking account isn't overdrawn today. ...for the good nights sleep I got last night. ...that I have 1,085,062 GPs in my Gift Points account. ...for the merit badges I received today. Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 7 Bahá (Splendor) 177 B.E. Thursday, March 26, 2020 I Walk By Faith10 Each day I walk by faith step-by-step across a narrow stone covered path that leads through the valley of shadows. I walk by faith placing every test and difficulty in the hands of God, knowing my Lord is sufficient. Gratitude List for 7 Baha Today I am thankful ... ...that "Encounter With a Leprechaun" was featured in "Poetry Newsletter (March 25, 2020)" . ...for fresh brewed coffee on this chilly spring morning. ...that I was able to make an appointment for Quest on 7:45 AM Monday March 30, 2020 at 2595 South Maryland Pkw suite 103 89109 702 786 3373. ...for the doughnut holes to go with my coffee. ...that I have 767 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the 33.8 oz bottle of water I have today. ...that my bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. Footnotes |
ʻIdál (Justice), 6 Bahá (Splendor) 177 B.E. Wednesday, March 25, 2020 Dreaming of My Grandparents11 A chill in the morning air brings back memories of last night's dream of my Grandparents working together on a farm in Oklahoma. I never saw the farm! I remember once Grandpa point out the land where where the house and out buildings once stood, but in the dream they were working together and the buildings were standing as the must have stood when my Grandparents were first married. Gratitude List for 6 Baha Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 750 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for fresh brewed coffee on this beautiful spring morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account isn't overdrawn. ...for the breakfast pastry I have to go with my coffee. ...that I have 16,300 points in my YouGov account. ...for the watermelon pieces I had with my breakfast. ...that I have $29.23 in my Send Earnings account. ...for the beautiful spring afternoon because I can open the front door. ...that "Shoes and Other Cliches" was featured in "Action/Adventure Newsletter (March 25, 2020)" . ...for my online friends and my internet connection. ...that I received a merit badge. Footnotes |