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. |
‘Idál (Justice), 3 Qudrat (Power) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, November 6, 2019 Morning Poem1 November morning A pigeon walks past my door: What's it looking for? Gratitude List for 3 Qudrat Today I am thankful ... ...that I was able to finish Christ’s Return: What will His Name Not Be? by Christopher Buck, Part 2 of Figuring Out Prophecy . ...for the apple upside down cake I had with my coffee this morning. ...that I was able to finish The Prophets: Each One Identical with the Other by Christopher Buck. Part 3 of Figuring Out Prophecy . ...for the fresh brewed coffee I had on this beautiful autumn morning. ...that I have 521 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the red Sanuk shoes that I received today. They are fun to wear. ...that my poem "Mary Florence Chaplin Newland" was featured in "Spiritual Newsletter (November 6, 2019)" . ...that I have 5,200 points in my YouGov account. Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 2 Qudrat (Power) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, November 5, 2019 Gratitude List for 2 Qudrat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the fresh brewed coffee I had on this wonderful autumn morning. ...that the $10.00 from PayPal hit my checking account today. ...for the apple upside down cake I had to go with my coffee. ...that I was able to finish Christ’s Return: What will His Name Not Be? by Christopher Buck, which is Part 2 of the series Figuring Out Prophecy ...for the Greek yogurt I had for my morning snack. ...that I have 464 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the chocolate pudding I had with my lunch. ...that I have 1,800,012 GPs in my Gift Points account. |
Kamál (Perfection), 1 Qudrat (Power) 176 B.E. - Monday, November 4, 2019 Facebook Status Update I drink coffee! Therefore, I am awake, so that I can think. Gratitude List for 1 Qudrat Today I am thankful ... ...that I could transfer $10.00 from my PayPal account to my checking account. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful autumn morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the cookies I had with my coffee this morning. ...that I was able to finish Unsealing the “Seal of the Prophets” by Christopher Buck, which is Part 1 of the series Figuring Out Prophecy . ...for the yogurt I had for my morning snack. ...that I have 1,016 points in my Survey Junkie account. I transferred $10.16 to my PayPal account. ...for the unsweetened applesauce I had for my afternoon snack. ...that I have 128 points in my Survey Junkie account. Pivotal Event2 His appearance came at a critical time in human history. The Bab declared his mission, at a time when the veils of dogma concealed the lamps of religion and faith. He proclaimed a new day, heralded one greater than He, and emphasized unity. Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 19 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Sunday, November 3, 2019 The Day of the Lord3 This is the Day of the Lord, when God's Most Great Name reverberates across the firmament of religion and calls the lovers of God out of the tombs of self to proclaim a New Heaven and a New Earth. Gratitude List for 19 ‘Ilm Today I am thankful ... ...that I was able to finish Christ’s New Name and the New Jerusalem by Christopher Buck, which is Part 53 it Figuring Out Prophecy . ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful autumn morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn ...for cookies to go with my coffee this morning. ...that I have 823 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the sweet ice tea I have with my evening meal. ...that I have 47,000 points in my YouGov account. ...for the fried chicken and salad I had for my evening meal. ...that I have 1,797,962 GPs in my Gift Points account. ...that I received a merit badge. Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 18 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Saturday, November 2, 2019 To Sleep4 To sleep! Perchance to rest, or at least dream of a good night's sleep. This is the elusive goal. Gratitude List for 18 ‘Ilm 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 801 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the sugar cookie I had with my coffee this morning. ...that I have $51.81 in my Vindale Research account. Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 17 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Friday, November 1, 2019 The Fragrance of Mercy5 When I read God's revealed Word, and meditate on the scriptures inscribed by the Bab, the fragrance of mercy wafts through my mind and across my soul. Gratitude List for 17 ‘Ilm Today I am thankful ... ...That both of my checks hit my checking account today. ...for the fresh brewed black coffee I have this morning. ...that I was able to pay the rent today. ...for the sugar cookie I had to go with my coffee this morning. ...that when I dropped my phone on the ground it didn't break. ...for the Arizona sweet tea I had with my lunch. Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 16 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Thursday, October 31, 2019 October6 Another cold October draws to an end, and I make another attempt to let go. It's the time of year when sad memories return, like a cold autumn wind, to make me wonder about what might have been. Gratitude List for 16 ‘Ilm Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the sugar cookie I had to go with my coffee this morning. ...that I am one of the third place winners in round 58 of "Invalid Item" with "A Poet's Prayer Answered - Imayo" . ...for fresh brewed coffee on this beautiful Autumn morning. ...that I have 669 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...that I received a merit badge today. Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 13 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Monday, October 28, 2019 Twin Birthdays7 The birthdays of The Bab and Baha'u'llah, celebrated consecutively proclaim the unity of humanity. Gratitude List for 13 ‘Ilm Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 640 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the sugar cookie I had with my morning coffee. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed hot coffee on this chilly Autumn morning. ...that I was able to finish The Birth of the Bab: 200 Years Ago Today From the Editors, which is Part 1 of Celebrating the Twin Holy Days . Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 12 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Sunday, October 27, 2019 A Cold Autumn Day8 On a cold autumn day when the wind chill factor freezes the marrow in your bones warmth is a bowl of hot soup. Gratitude List for 12 ‘Ilm 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 was able to completed The Bab, Gateway to the Age of Fulfillment by Harvey Garver, which is Part 11 of What Comes After Nations? . ...for the sugar cookie I have to go with my coffee. ...that I was able to finish The Bittersweet Love Story of The Bab and His Beloved Wife by Kathy Roman. Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 10 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Friday, October 25, 2019 Gratitude List for 10 ‘Ilm Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 503 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the chocolate cookie I had for my evening snack. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the sugar cookie to go with my coffee. Jalál (Glory), 11 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Saturday, October 26, 2019 Gratitude List for 11 ‘Ilm Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn this morning. ...for the cookie I have to go with my coffee this morning. ...that I have 630 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for fresh brewed hot coffee on the beautiful autumn morning. ...that I have $51.37 om my Vindale Research account. ...that I received a $312.90 check from Foresters. ...that I was able to attend the play celebrating the Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab today. ...that I received a merit badge. |
Istijlál (Majesty), 9 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Thursday, October 24, 2019 I Need a Change of Scenery9 I need a change of scenery, a change of pace, something to get my creative juices flowing. Gratitude List for 9 ‘Ilm Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the sugar cookies I had to go with m y coffee this morning. ...that I have 430 in my Survey Junkie account. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful autumn morning. ...that my meds arrived today. ...for the few hours of sleep I got last night. Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 7 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, October 22, 2019 Gratitude List for 7 ‘Ilm Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the good night's sleep I got last night. ...that I have 303 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for fresh brewed coffee on this beautiful autumn morning. ...that I have $49.87 in my Vindale Research account. ...for the breakfast pastry I have to go with my coffee this morning. ...that I have 1,539,912 GPs in my Gift Points account. ‘Idál (Justice), 8 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, October 23, 2019 School is out for the Day10 School is out for the day, the neighborhood children are ready to play. They walk past my door laughing and talking happy to be home before sunset. Gratitude List for 8 ‘Ilm Today I am thankful ... ...that I was able to read the article How Spiritual Education Can Change the World by Payam Zamani. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful autumn morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the banana I had with my coffee this morning. ...that I have $50.62 in my Vindale Research account. ...for the beautiful fall afternoon because I can leave the door open. ...that I received the RTC ADA Paratransit Fare Book today. ...for the popcorn I have as my afternoon snack. ...that I have 403 points in my Survey Junkie account. Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 5 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Sunday, October 20, 2019 Gratitude List for 5 ‘Ilm Today I am thankful ... ...for fresh brewed black coffee. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn. ...for the chocolate chip cookie I had with my coffee this morning. Kamál (Perfection), 6 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Monday, October 21, 2019 It Must Be the Season11 It must be the season, memories of my Grandmother have returned bring tears to my eyes and making me crave pumpkin pies. Gratitude List for 6 ‘Ilm Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of American checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful autumn morning. ...that I received an awardican for "Faith " . ...for the chocolate chip cookie I have to go with my coffee this morning. ...that I have $49.12 in my Vindale research account. ...for the homemade chocolate cheese cake I had for my evening snack. ...that I have enough Editors Picks for my next edition of the fantasy newsletter. ...that I received a merit badge. Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 4 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Saturday, October 19, 2019 To Know God12 The goal of my soul is to know and love God, but how can I, a creature of matter know that which is pure spirit. Knowledge of God comes to me and the rest of humanity through God' Manifestations who in this age are The Bab and Baha'u'llah. Gratitude List for 4 ‘Ilm Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the chocolate chip cookie I have to go with my coffee this morning. ...that I have 286 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the banana I had for my first breakfast. ...that I have $47.83 in my Vindale Research account. ...for the caramel and apple yogurt I had for my morning snack. Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 3 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Friday, October 18, 2019 God's New Day: To The Bab13 Darkness conspires to conceal the light of dawn behind the charcoal clouds of hate. Dawn comes its light turns the clouds scarlet and awakens the birds of morning. Gratitude List for 3 ‘Ilm Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America account isn't overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful autumn day. ...that I received an awardicon for "The Nostalgia Season" for 1st place in round 76 of "Shadows and Light Poetry Contest" . ...that I received a merit badge. Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 2 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Thursday, October 17, 2019 Meditation at Midnight14 In the silence of midnight, When there is only starlight, Illuminating the Earth, I look with my inner sight, To see if there is anything I have to put right. Gratitude List for 2 ‘Ilm 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 $47.07 in my Vindale Research account. ...for the chocolate chip cookie I had to go with my coffee this morning. ...that I have 202 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...that I have 3,350 points in my YouGov account. Footnotes |
‘Idál (Justice), 1 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, October 16, 2019 Feast of Knowledge What Will I Write?15 What will I write today? Will I write a poem or a rant? Will I write prose or an essay? My muse has gone AWL, left for part unknown, took a trip to another galaxy or perhaps another universe. I'll take a momentary break to say a prayer and see if my smartphone is completely charged. Hopefully, by the time I return my muse will have come home. Gratitude List for 1 ‘Ilm Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account isn't overdrawn this morning. ...for fresh brewed hot coffee on this beautiful autumn morning. ...that I was able to get my new smartphone set up today. ...for the sherbet I had for my afternoon snack. ...that I was able to finish The Influence of the Bab’s Teachings on Baha’i Belief by Christopher Buck, which is Part 4 of The Bab’s Living Legacy . ...that I have 150 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...that "Faith " was featured in the Editor's Picks in "Spiritual Newsletter (October 16, 2019)" . Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 19 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, October 15, 2019 Facebook Status Update I check the UPS website using the tracking number for my new phone. I is supposed to be delivered by 5:00 p.m. today. Gratitude List for 19 Mashíyyat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed hot coffee on this beautiful autumn morning. ...that the $10.00 from PayPal hit my checking account today. ...for the extra hours sleep I got this morning. ...that I have 10 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...that I have $46.84 my Vindale Research account. Memories Return16 What is it about autumn that brings back memories of childhood joys and tears? Is it something in the air that causes me to miss those carefree days in Blackwell, Oklahoma, when to Sunday School or The Lake with Grandma and Grandpa? Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 18 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Monday, October 14, 2019 Autumn in Las Vegas17 The autumn chill in the air causes me to turn the heat on at night. I look out my window and see green leaves dancing in the autumn breeze. I miss Oklahoma and the changing shades of autumn leaves. Gratitude List for 18 Mashíyyat Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 1,023 in my Survey Junkie account. ...for fresh brewed hot coffee on this beautiful autumn day. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn. ...for cookies to go with my coffee this morning. ...that "Poet's Nightmare" won first place in round 57 of "Invalid Item" . ...for the chili dogs I had for my evening meal. ...that I could have $10.23 transferred to my PayPal account from my Survey Junkie account. ...that I was able to transfer $10.00 from my PayPal account to my checking account. Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 17 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Sunday, October 13, 2019 Autumn Nights18 Nights are turning cold Its time to turn the heat on Take the chill of the room Gratitude List for 17 Mashíyyat Today I am thankful ... ...that I was able to participate in the member to member port raid yesterday and today. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful autumn morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn. ...for cookies to go with my coffee this morning. ...that I have 875 in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the bottled water we have in the house because I can barely drink tap water. ...that I have 1,501,112 GPs in my Gift Points account. Footnotes |