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. |
Istijlál (Majesty) 13 Qudrat (Power) 180 B.E. - Thursday, November 16, 2023 On the third thankful Thursday in November 2023, I am thankful ... ...that I have 310 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the merit badge I received on 11/15/23. ...that I have 414 points in my Branded Survey account. ...for the chocolate chip ice cream I had this week. ...that I have $7.25 in my Inbox Dollars account. ...for fresh brewed hot coffee on this cloudy autumn morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn. ...for the cup cake I had with my morning coffee. |
Istijlál (Majesty) 6 Qudrat (Power) 180 B.E. - Thursday, November 9, 2023 On the second Thankful Thursday in November 2023 I am thankful ... ...for the merit badges I received between 11/3/23-11/9/23 ...that I was able to verify my identity on both the Survey Junkie website and Branded Survey website. ...for the cinnoman rolls I received from the food bank this morning. ...that I was finally able to pay the rent this month. ...for fresh brewed hot coffee. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn. ...for the instant oatmeal with peanut butter I had for breakfast. |
Jamál (Beauty) 2 Qudrat (Power) 180 B.E. - Sunday, November 5, 2023 Facebook Status Update A cloudy Sunday Sun attempts to shine through the thick gray cloud cover Kamál (Perfection) 3 Qudrat (Power) 180 B.E. - Monday, November 6, 2023 Facebook Status Update At 76, I took my first selfie. I needed to prove my identity to one of the survey sites where I take surveys. Kamál (Perfection) 10 Qudrat (Power) 180 B.E. - Monday, November 13, 2023 Facebook Status Update Today is World Kindness Day, so show someone a little kindness. Istijlál (Majesty) 13 Qudrat (Power) 180 B.E. - Thursday, November 16, 2023 Facebook Status Update International Day of Tolerance: Tolerance: A Path to Peace and Reconciliation. |
Istijlál (Majesty) 18 ʻIlm (Knowledge) 180 B.E. - Thursday, November 2, 2023 On the first Thankful Thursday in November 2023, I am grateful ... ...for the merit badges I received between 10/27/23-11/2/23. ...that I was able to have an apple this morning with my coffee. |
Istijlál (Majesty) 4 ʻIlm (Knowledge) 180 B.E. - Thursday, October 19, 2023 On the third thankful Thursday in October 2023, I am thankful ... ...for receiving 3 achivement badges ...that "In the Heart of Melody" was featured in "Fantasy Newsletter (October 18, 2023)" ...for the chocolate covered breakfast pastry I had with my coffee this morning. ...that my Bank of America Checking account is not overdrawn. ...for the banana and orange juice I had for breakfast. Istijlál (Majesty) 11 ʻIlm (Knowledge) 180 B.E. - Thursday, October 26, 2023 ...for the awardcon I received for "Scent Of The Rain - WC: 44" . ...that I received a 2024 wall calendar when I went to the food bank on Tuesday, October 24. ...for fresh brewed hot coffee on this beautiful autumn morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn. ...for the apple I had with my coffee this morning. ...that my youngest brother and his wife had a lot of food delivered from Walmart |
Istijlál (Majesty) 16 Mas͟híyyat (Will) 180 B.E. - Thursday, October 12, 2023 On the second Thankful Thursday in August 2023, I am thankful ... ...for the merit badge I received on 10/8/23. There are probably a number of other things I am or should be thankful for; however, at this moment I can't think of any. It's been a long day and, thankfully, I accomplished some house work. I'm going to let it go at that. |
Istijlál (Majesty) 9 Mas͟híyyat (Will) 180 B.E. - Thursday, October 5, 2023 On the first Thankful Thursday in October 2023, I am thankful ... ...for the merit badge I received between 9/29/23 and 10/5/23. ...that we received a small watermelon from the Food Bank when I went on October 3. ...for fresh brewed hot coffee on this beautiful Autumn morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn this week. ...for the doughnut holes I had to go with my coffee this morning., ...that I can access the sacred scriptures of other religions through The Literature Network's religious page http://www.online-literature.com/religious.php. ...for the authentic English translations of the Baha'i sacred scriptures. |
Istijlál (Majesty) 2 Mas͟híyyat (Will) 180 B.E. - Thursday, September 28, 2023 I am thankful ... ...for the merit badge I received ...that I was able to pay the Power Bill on 9/27/23. ...for the nectarines I received from the food bank on 9/26/23. ...that "Tornadoes Versus Mobile Homes" was featured in "For Authors Newsletter (September 27, 2023)" . ...for the cranberry juice I have in the refrigerator. ...that "Arnold Gets His Rhythm Back" won "The Writer's Cramp" for 9/28/23. |
Istijlál (Majesty) 14 ʻIzzat (Might) 180 B.E. - Thursday, September 21, 2023 On the third Thankful Thursday in September 2023, I am thankful ... ...that I was able to purchase a 10 Ride Coupon Book for the RTC Paratransit. ...for the merit badge I received on 9/18/23. ...that I was able to submit the Spiritual newsletter for September on 9/16/23. ...for the peaches and the grapes I received when I picked up the food at the food bank on 9/19/23. ...that my prescriptions for Oxybutynin and Levothyroxine arrived on 8/18/28. ...for the rain we received on 9/20/23. ...that the Reality company that purchased my apartment building contacted me on 9/19/23 with the contact information. ...for the sweet iced tea I had with my lunch. ...that "The Dance of Life" was featured in "Fantasy Newsletter (September 20, 2023)" . |
Istijlál (Majesty), 7 ʻIzzat (Might) 180 B.E. - Thursday, September 14, 2023 On the second Thankful Thursday in September 2023 I am thankful ... ...for the merit badge I received between 9/8/23-9/14/23. ...that I was able to pay the rent this month. ...for the awardcon I received this week. ...that I received third place in the 2023 edition of the Blog Week Birthday Bastion. ...for the pears and apples I received when I went to the food bank this morning. ...that I was able to transfer $5.08 from my Survey Junkie account to my Bank of America saving account. ...for the 86 points I have in my Survey Junkie account. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn. ...for the $2.32 I have in my Inbox Dollars account. |
Istijlál (Majesty), 19 Asmá (Names) 180 B.E. - Thursday, September 7, 2023 On the first Thankful Thursday in September 2023 I am grateful ... ...for writing.com. ...that I received the following merit badge between 8/31/23-9/7/23. ...for chocolate chip cookies and black coffee. ...that I won two 7/11 during writing.com's birthday party. ...for navel oranges. ...that I was able to transfer $5.09 from my Survey Junkies account to my Bank of America savings account. ...for cafe mocha made with coffee and instant hot chocolate mix. ...that I was able to transfer $10.00 from my Inbox Dollars account to my PayPal account. ...for watermelon. ...that I was able to open a can of mixed fruit without too much difficulty. |
Istiqlál (Independence), 13 Asmá (Names) 180 B.E. - Friday, September 1, 2023 Happy Birthday Writing.com: Day 1 September 1, 2023 is the first day of writing.com's seven day birthday party. This year writing.com is 23 years old. To celebrate I will review a newbie, give away a merit badge, and write a blog entry in my writing.com blog. I will attempt to do these activities each day and pray that there is no interruptions. The interruption this morning concerned the electricty. Due to the rain (I think it was the rain) we had no power for two or three hours. However, I will place the situation in God's hands and do the best I can. Facebook Status Update Celebrating the first day of writing.com's seven day birthday party. Jalál (Glory), 14 Asmá (Names) 180 B.E. - Saturday, September 2, 2023 Online Birthday Celebration This is day 2 of writing.com's seven day birthday part. One of the advantages to having a virtual or online birthday party concerns the weather. When the birthday party is online you don't have to worry about rain or triple digit temperatures. Not that there's been any triple digit temperatures for a couple of days, but there has been rain. I live in Las Vegas, and it rained most of the day on September 1. Sometimes it was a gentle rains and sometimes a hard rain. Sometimes it came down by the table spoon full and sometimes by the bucket, I set at my computer and looked out my living room door as the rain came down. I didn't see any lightning, but I did hear thunder. Despite the fact that the electricity went out for a couple of hours yesterday morning, I accomplished everything I set out to do. I reviewed a couple of stories, one by a newbie, made a blog entry, and gave merit badge to another member. Today I plan to review, compose a blog entry, give away another merit badge, and write a short story. I don't know it it will rain today. I don't know if the electricity will remain on all day. From the looks of the sky, it might rain later this morning or this afternoon. That's all right because I'm not planning on going out of the house. If it rains I will enjoy watching it from the comfort of my living room. Facebook Status Update Thunder and lightning Rain came down in car loads Late summer shower Jamál (Beauty), 15 Asmá (Names) 180 B.E. - Sunday, September 3, 2023 Beautiful Sunday in Las Vegas It's a beautiful Sunday in Las Vegas. There are no clouds this afternoon, so we don't have to worry about rain or the streets flooding. I heard only one disturbing noise, which sounded like a gunshot or a car backfiring. I couldn't tell which, however, since I heard no sirens it probably wasn't a gunshot. I did see a white K9 car drive past, but I don't know if it was a police car. It could have been another from another law enforcement division. Facebook Status Update I wish I could sleep just a short nap before dawn: Impossible dream. So I close my eyes pretend that I am asleep: Does it really work? Kamál (Perfection), 16 Asmá (Names) 180 B.E. - Monday, September 4, 2023 {link:https://poet999.blogspot.com/2023/09/patience-test-of-faith.html Patience: A Test of Faith They say patience is a virtue, but lately I've found it to be a test of faith. A test of waiting for the answer to a prayer to arrive through snail mail. I know the item is coming, because I've already talk to the person who is sending it. My problem is waiting for something I needed three days ago. I know the problem is my impatience, because this is an issues I've encounter several times in my life. I also know that if I don't deal with it now, I'll encounter it again and again. Therefore, I'll deal with it the best way I know how. First, by dealing with my negative self-talk. Second, by continuing to say prayers. Fidál (Grace), 17 Asmá (Names) 180 B.E. - Tuesday, September 5, 2023 Facebook Status Update Unable to sleep, I open my smartphone click on the Baha'i prayer app scroll down to the Table of Ahmad, and intone the word revealed by Baha'u'llah. Jamál (Beauty), 3 ʻIzzat (Might) 180 B.E. - Sunday, September 10, 2023 Facebook Status Update Las Vegas Sunday Cloudy sky inspires my muse Refreshes my mind. |
Iistijlál (Majesty), 12 Asmá (Names) 180 B.E. - Thursday, August 31, 2023 On the last Thankful Thursday in August 2023, I am thankful ... ...that I received my prescription for Farxiga on Friday, August 25. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful summer day. ...that I had instant oatmeal with peanut butter in it for breakfast. ...for the $9.20 I have in my Inbox Dollars account. ...that my Bank of America Checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the $3.53 I have in my Survey Junkies account. ...that, despite the arthritis in my right hand, I can still open a bottle of water. ...for the banana I had to go with my coffee this morning. ...that I was able to have hard boiled eggs for my dinner. |
Istijlál (Majesty), 5 Asmá (Names) 180 B.E. - Thursday, August 24, 2023 Facebook Status Update One cup of coffee is not enough to wake me up on this beautiful Thursday. I'm taking a news break until the end of August. If the world comes to an end, will someone please let me know. I'm doing this because I have several writing projects going, and getting involved in news stories is distracting. Jalál (Glory), 7 Asmá (Names) 180 B.E. - Saturday, August 26, 2023 It's the last Saturday in August 2023, and September is fast approaching. It's a pleasant Saturday, with a blue sky and bright sun. The temperatures are rising into the triple digits. However, it will still be a pleasant day because my neighborhood is peaceful and I have a working air conditioner to keep cool. Since it's the end of the month I'm not going to worry about the power bill until next month. Writing.com will be celebrating a birthday the first seven days of September. I will attempt to write something everyday about the birthday celebration. In the mean time, I'll attempt not to make these blog post any more boring, if they are boring. I'm working for exciting, but not too exciting. Facebook Status Update Pleasant Saturday! I've had two writing.com travel mugs of coffee, which probably equals two ordinary cups. I am awake! I am not checking the news sites for the rest of the month. Therefore, if the world comes to an end please post the information on Facebook, so that I will know what is happening. Istijlál (Majesty), 12 Asmá (Names) 180 B.E. - Thursday, August 31, 2023 Facebook Status Update On the last Thankful Thursday in August 2023, I give thanks for the beautiful blue sky: What are you thankful for? It's been a very interesting month. I've managed to survive the triple digit temperatures. I enjoyed the few hours of rain. Tomorrow writng.com's birthday celebration begins. Writing.com will be 23 years old. It is a place for writers of all genres. One of the best thing about writing.com is the helpful reviews received from other writers. |
Istijlál (Majesty), 5 Asmá (Names) 180 B.E. - Thursday, August 24, 2023 Today I am thankful ... ...for the merit badge I received between 8/19/23-8/24/23. ...that I was able to transfer $5.23 from my Survey Junkie account to my PayPal account and then to my Bank of America checking account. ...for the rain we received this week. ...that I have $0.51 in my Survey Junkie Account. ...for I had chocolate cupcakes to go with my coffee on Wednesday morning. ...that I have $8.08 in my Inbox Dollars account. ...for fresh brewed hot coffee on this beautiful summer morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn. ...for the berries and cream cheese filled Danish I had to go with my coffee on this beautiful Thursday morning. |
Istijlál (Majesty), 10 Kamál (Perfection) 180 B.E. - Thursday, August 10, 2023 On the second Thankful Thursday in August 2023, I am thankful ... ...for the merit badges I received between 8/4/23-8/10/23 ...that "The Guitar Player" was featured in "Poetry Newsletter (August 9, 2023)" . ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this late summer morning. ...that it rained this morning and left a pleasant scent in the air. ...for the chocolate chip cookie I had to go with my coffee. ...that I have $7.23 in my Inbox Dollars account. ...for Facebook because without it I wouldn't be able to contact some of my family and friends. ...that I have $2.51 in my Survey Junkie account. ...for BahaiTeaching.org , because I can read the views of other Baha'is on various subjects. |
Istijlál (Majesty), 3 Kamál (Perfection) 180 B.E. - Thursday, August 3, 2023 On the first Thankful Thursday in August 2023, I an thankful ... ...for the merit badge I received today ...that I was able to transfer $6.48 from my Survey Junkies account to my Bank of America savings account. ...for the fresh brewed coffee I had this morning. ...that I received my prescription eye drops on Tuesday. ...for the chocolate eclair I had with my coffee. ...that I was able to order my vitamin D3s today. ...for the spaghetti I had for dinner. ...that I have $6.94 in my Inbox Dollars account. ...for the good sleep I got last night. |
Istijlál (Majesty), 8 Kalimát (Words) 180 B.E. - Thursday, July 20, 2023 Today I am thankful ... ...that I was able to transfer $5.21 from my Survey Junkie account to my Bank of America savings account on July 15, 2023. ...for the merit badge I received today. Istijlál (Majesty), 15 Kalimát (Words) 180 B.E. - Thursday, July 27, 2023 Today I am thankful ... ...for BahaiPrayers.net because it gives me access to both prayer and scriptures. ...that I received a check for $32.32 in the mail. ...for peanut butter oatmeal I had for breakfast. I fixed instant oatmeal and added a table spoon of peanut butter to it. ...that "Muse Cramp" was featured in "Fantasy Newsletter (July 26, 2023)" . ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful summer morning. ...that I have a working air conditioner during this present heatwave. |
Istijlál (Majesty), 1 Kalimát (Words) 180 B.E. - Thursday, July 13, 2023 On the second Thankful Thursday in July 2023, I am thankful ... ...for the awardcon I received this week. ...that I found a photograph album that I thought I had last in all my moves. ...for the merit badge I received this week. ...that my prescriptions for Oxybutynin and Levothrozine arrive on July 11. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful summer morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn. ...for the banana, coffee cake, and sweet cherries I had for my first breakfast. |
Istijlál (Majesty), 13 Raḥmat (Mercy) 180 B.E. - Thursday, July 6, 2023 On the first Thankful Thursday of July 2023, I am thankful ... ...that I was able to transfer $5.89 from Survey Junkie to my Bank of America savings account on 6/30/2023. ...for the merit badge I received between 7/1/23-7/6/23. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn this week. ...for the awardcon I received. ...that I was able to transfer $5.19 from my Survey Junkie account to my savings account on 7/6/23. |