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. |
Kamál (Perfection), 14 Sharaf (Honor) 176 B.E. - Monday, January 13, 2020 Winter Passes1 Second by second the days grow longer, as winter moves on, and we look forward to spring. Gratitude List for 14 Sharaf Today I am thankful ... ...for the hot chocolate I had last night before going to bed. ...that I have 1,036 points in my Survey Junkie account. I was able to transfer $10.36 to my PayPal account. ...for fresh brewed hot coffee on this chilly winter day. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for mini chocolate doughnuts to go with my coffee. ...that I was able to transfer $10.00 from my PayPal account to my checking account. ...for the Spanish Rice and Chicken I had for lunch. ...for the merit badge I received today. Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 13 Sharaf (Honor) 176 B.E. - Sunday, January 12, 2020 Facebook Status Update You know you're getting old when you Google your symptoms before making a doctor's appointment. Gratitude List for 13 Sharaf Today I am thankful ... ...for the fresh brewed coffee on this beautiful winter morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the mini chocolate doughnuts I had to go with my coffee. ...that I have 721 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the French toast I had for breakfast. ...that I have the Spiritual Newsletter for January 15 completed. ...for the blueberries and yogurt I had with my breakfast. ...that I was able to clean out part of my inbox last week. ...for the merit badge I received. |
Jalál (Glory), 12 Sharaf (Honor) 176 B.E. - Saturday, January 11, 2020 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 12 Sharaf Today I am thankful ... ...for the awardcon I received for "Winter Holidays" for first place in the December "SENIOR CENTER FORUM" . ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the fresh brewed coffee I had on this chilly winter morning. ...that I have 715 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the mini chocolate doughnuts I had to go with my coffee this morning. ...that I have 2,646,757 GPs in my Gift Points account. ...for the oatmeal and blueberries I had for breakfast. ...that I received an inspiring C-note from Schnujo is Late to Lannister . Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 10 Sharaf (Honor) 176 B.E. - Thursday, January 9, 2020 Gratitude List for 10 Sharaf Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 686 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for fresh brewed coffee on this beautiful winter morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the chocolate covered mini doughnuts I had to go with my coffee. Istiqlál (Independence), 11 Sharaf (Honor) 176 B.E. - Friday, January 10, 2020 Gratitude List for 11 Sharaf Today I am thankful ... ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful winter day. ...that my Bank of America Checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for mini chocolate doughnuts to go with my coffee. ...that I have 11,550 points in my YouGov account. ...for the oatmeal and blueberries I had for breakfast. ...that I have 705 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the chicken soup I had for lunch. |
ʻIdál (Justice), 9 Sharaf (Honor) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, January 8, 2020 The crisp evening air awakens the desire for God's healing words. Out of the darkness of chaos flee the followers of light. The speech of the Friend rouses the ability to sacrifice. From the heavens of mercy pour the showers of divine love. The crisp evening air ignites desire to see the beauty of God. Out of the night's separation knowledge of self is gained. The voices of the friends engenders power to go beyond insistent self. In the joy of reunion the soul gains the will to survive. The pen of Baha'u'llah answers the questions humanity asks. Over the horizon of religion rises the Glory of God, revealing the verses of splendor. The names of God are united by the return of the Lord. Over the horizon of honor ascends the grandeur of God. From the perfect mirror is reflected the might of dawn. Through the Pen of Glory flows the sovereignty of unity. Away from matter's dominion ascend the people of God. The loftiness of God's Promised One is revealed through the Ancient Beauty. Gratitude List for 9 Sharaf Today I am thankful ... ...that I survived childhood. ...for the beautiful and chilly winter day. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn. ...for the coffee candy I had for my afternoon snack. ...that I have 312 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the merit badges I received. Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 8 Sharaf (Honor) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, January 7, 2020 New Year's Poem From 20024 Ominous in its splendor, Jupiter ascends the firmaments charcoal dome. Reflecting the sun's bright radiance back to Earth, Jupiter rivals the moon ]in its sharp accuracy; in its crystalline beauty' in its purity. King of the planets; reality's emperor; Jupiter escorts out the old year, and ushers in the new: foretelling and closing. Jupiter rings in a New Year and a new era hope; an eighty-three year cycle of transformation. Jupiter ushers out a two hundred and forty-nine year cycle of preparation, while pulling the planets toward peace. Gratitude List for 8 Sharaf Today I am thankful ... ...for fresh brewed coffee on this beautiful winter morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the instant oatmeal I had for breakfast. ...that I have 228 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the Chinese food I had for lunch. ...that I received a check through the mail today. ...for the Internet, because I was able to find a dentist today that I might be able to afford. Facebook Status Update I have taken the metaphorical cat by the tail, and contacted a dentist that I may or may not be able to afford. I need either new dentures or implants, because the dentures I have no longer fit properly. Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 7 Sharaf (Honor) 176 B.E. - Monday, January 6, 2020 In all the sacred scriptures Revealed through Divinity's Mirrors The Golden Rule Is stated in the language of the age. In the language of Hinduism: The believer's total obligation Do not to others That which is distressful to you. In the language of Buddhism: The believer is commanded Harm not others with that which You find hurtful. In the language of Judaism: The believer is instructed Do not to others That which is malicious to you. In the language of Zoroastrianism: The believer is advised That a good person does not do to others What is not good for self. In the language of Christianity: The believer is cautioned To do to other What you would want them to do to you. In the language of Islam: The believer is warned You are not a believer until you want for others That which you crave for yourself. In the language of Baha'i: The believer is informed Not to desire for others What you do not wish for yourself. Gratitude List for 7 Sharaf Today I am thankful ... ...for the peanut butter and jelly sandwich I had for lunch. ...that I have 206 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for fresh brewed coffee on this beautiful winter morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the cereal I had for breakfast. ...that I got a good night sleep last night. ...for the merit badge I received. Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 6 Sharaf (Honor) 176 B.E. - Sunday, January 5, 2020 Gratitude List for 6 Sharaf Today I am thankful ... ...that I was able to attend devotional services at the Baha'i Center this morning. ...for the 2,623,057 GPs I have in my Gift Points account. ...that I have 181 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the Arizona sweet ice tea I had today. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn. |
Jalál (Glory), 5 Sharaf (Honor) 176 B.E. - Saturday, January 4, 2020 Red Shift6 In this darkness these words are photons emanating from the poet's mind reflecting off the reader's perceptions and into the prism of their experience: What does the poem tell the reader about the poet? Wherever the reader is in space-time, connotations lengthen a poem's wavelength away from the poet: What does the poem mean to the reader? Gratitude List for 5 Sharaf Today I am thankful ... ...for th e Wether's Original candy I had this afternoon. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today ...for the Snicker's bar I had for my bedtime snack last night. ...that I was able to pay the rent today. ...for fresh brewed hot coffee on this beautiful winter's day. ...that I have 169 points in my Survey Junkie account ...for the merit badges I received today. Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 4 Sharaf (Honor) 176 B.E. - Friday, January 3, 2020 Facebook Status Update Today I'm grateful that Naw-Ruz is in March, when the birds are singing, the flowers are blooming, and warm spring breezes blow through Las Vegas. Gratitude List for 4 Sharaf Today I am thankful ... ...for the chef salad I had for lunch. ...that I have 133 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for fresh brewed coffee on this chilly winter morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account isn't overdrawn today. ...for the Starbucks egg & cheese package I had for breakfast. |
Istijlál (Majesty), 3 Sharaf (Honor) 176 B.E. - Thursday, January 2, 2020 Chicken Salad Sandwich7 Post New Year's Day breakfast: chicken salad sandwich mad with coleslaw dressing and sweet dill picks, while yesterday's left over turkey is cooking in the the soup pot. Gratitude List for 3 Sharaf Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 1,547 points in my Survey Junkie account. I transferred $15.47 to my Paypal account. ...for fresh brewed coffee on this beautiful winter morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the banana to go with my coffee. ...that I was able to place my Humana over-the-counter order today . ...for the chicken sandwich I had for breakfast. ...that "New Year's Voyage" received honorable mention in "Stormy's poetry newsletter & contest" for January. ...for the turkey soup I had for dinner. ...that I could transfer $15.52 from my Paypal account to my checking account. ...for the merit badge I received. Footnotes |
ʻIdál (Justice), 2 Sharaf (Honor) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, January 1, 2020 Facebook Status Update I am dealing with 2020! I am setting goals, which I will reevaluate at Naw-Ruz. I am dealing with 2020 one day-at-a-time, one prayer-at-a-time, one cup of coffee-at-a-time. Gratitude List for 2 Sharaf Today I am thankful ... ...for the turkey drumstick I had for breakfast. ...that I have 679 in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the Christmas cookies I have to go with my coffee. ...that my bank of America account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this chilly winter's morning. ...that I h ave 2,269,024 GPs in my Gift Points account. ...for the merit badge I received. New Year Poem8 I walk into the New Year of 2020, trembling with anticipation, but without fear. What adventures, tears, and pain with this year bring. I inhale the chill in the air, I look forward to spring, Naw-Ruz, and the vernal equinox. Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 1 Sharaf (Honor) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, December 31, 2019 Facebook Status Update Wishing everyone who celebrates the Gregorian New Year, a Happy New year. I also wish a Happy Decade to those who start the new decade in 2020 instead of 2021 (which is actually the start of the new decade). Gratitude List for 1 Sharaf Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the fresh brewed coffee I had on this beautiful winter morning. ...that I have 630 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the banana and cinnam0n toast I had for breakfast. ...that my Inbox Dollars account has $29.14 in it. ...for the Arizona ice tea of had with my evening meal. ...that I have $25.99 in my Send Earnings account. ...for the merit badge I received. Winter New Year9 The Gregorian year dies on a cold winter's night and is reborn in the snow of morning. Champagne and fireworks say good-bye to the old and welcome in the new, with resolutions that might be kept thirty-one day. Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 19 Masáʼil (Questions) 176 B.E. - Monday, December 30, 2019 December 201910 The days grow slowly longer as a New Year and a new decade approach. Fear and hope mingle in the minds of humanity, as one emotion attempts to push the other out of the way. Gratitude List for 19 Masáʼil Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 530 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the chocolate stars I have for my bedtime snack. ...that my bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed coffee on this beautiful winter morning. ...that I have 2,264,599 GPs in my Gift Points account. ...for the salad I had for lunch. Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 18 Masáʼil (Questions) 176 B.E. - Sunday, December 29, 2019 Crown of Glory: A Memory11 Dawn's rays embraces the crest of Sunrise Mountain turning its crest to burnished gold, and the air to fiery orange. Like prayers rising from my soul Glory's Crown expands until the sun breaks through the fire and the crown disappears. Gratitude List for 18 Masáʼil Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 329 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the chocolate stars I have for my evening snack. ...that I was able to finish the article The Zoroastrian Prophecies about the Bab and Baha’u’llah by Christopher Buck. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this chilly winter morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the french toast, eggs, and sausage I had for breakfast. ...that I have 2,262,494 GPs in my Gift Points account. Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 17 Masáʼil (Questions) 176 B.E. - Saturday, December 28, 2019 Facebook Status Update Grandma used to say, What you do on New Year's Day you will be doing the rest of the year. So on this upcoming New Year's Day let us pray for Peace on Earth. Gratitude List for 17 Masáʼil Today I am thankful ... ...for fresh brewed coffee on this chilly winter morning. ...that I was able to finish the article Meeting the Man Who Met Baha’u’llah by Joseph Roy Sheppherd. ...for the chocolate stars I had for my bedtime snack. ...that I have 290 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the leftover pizza I had for breakfast this morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrafted today. ...for the Chinese food I had for dinner today. ...that I finished transcribing "Roughing It: A Book Report" . |
Istiqlál (Independence), 16 Masáʼil (Questions) 176 B.E. - Friday, December 27, 2019 Toast for 202012 May the opportunities, joy, pleasings, and love increase exponentially as the New Year and the new decade progresses. Gratitude List for 16 Masáʼil Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 262 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this rainy winter morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the banana I had to gov with my coffee. ...that I was able to finish Discovering the Spiritual Meaning of Dreams by Radiance Talley. ...for the rain we received in Las Vegas this morning. ...that I have 2,228,169 GPs in my Gift Points account. ...for the pizza and ginger ale I had for dinner. Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 15 Masáʼil (Questions) 176 B.E. - Thursday, December 26, 2019 The Fragrance of Winter13 Inhale the fragrance of winter, as the year and decade draw to a close. Inhale the crisp air of morning, proclaiming new opportunities to anyone willing to take a chance on success. Gratitude List for 15 Masáʼil Today I am thankful ... ...that I had 1,062 points in my Survey Junkie account. I had $10.62 transferred to my PayPal account. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful winter morning. ...that I have 115 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the brownie I had to go with my coffee. ...that I was able to transfer $11.00 from my PayPal account to my checking account. ...for the banana I have for my first breakfast. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. Footnotes |
ʻIdál (Justice), 14 Masáʼil (Questions) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, December 25, 2019 Christmas Memories14 I have Christmas memories both light and dark, memories that spark both laughter and tears. I have Christmas memories-- melancholy echoes-- of a holiday I no longer celebrate. Gratitude List for 14 Masáʼil Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 972 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for fresh brewed coffee on this beautiful Christmas morning. ...that I was able to complete Abdu’l-Baha’s First Christmas by David Langness. ...for the banana I had to go with my coffee. ...that I have 2,214,869 GPs in my Gift Points account. ...for the merit badge I received. Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 13 Masáʼil (Questions) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, December 24, 2019 Birthday Poem15 At 73 I don't want to cut down a living Christmas Tree. I want the tree left in its natural habitat to release oxygen into the air, and help fight global warming and climate change. Gratitude List for 13 Masáʼil Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 895 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for fresh brewed coffee on this chilly winter morning. ...that I won first place in "The Prompt Me Contest" round 173 ...for the mini cupcakes I had to go with my coffee. ...that I have 2,207,094 GPs in my Gift Points account. ...for the banana I had for my first breakfast ...that I received flowers for my birthday. ...for the merit badges I received today, Footnotes |