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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" ![]() "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. |
Fiḍál (Grace), 5 Bahá (Splendor) 177 B.E. Tuesday, March 24, 2020 Early Spring1 In early spring the temperature if fickle, sometimes warm and sometimes cold. In early spring the wind caresses pollen baring trees causing people to sneeze. Gratitude List for 5 Baha Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 4 Bahá (Splendor) 177 B.E. Monday, March 23, 2020 Humanity Will Survive2 Humanity will survive! We will pass through this present crises, and become a more united species. Gratitude List for 4 Baha Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 3 Bahá (Splendor) 177 B.E. Sunday, March 22, 2020 A Poem3 A poem exists somewhere in space and time until the poet pens the rhyme. A poem is born when the poet's soul writes it in the poet's mind. A poem lives when the reader intones it. Gratitude List for 3 Baha Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 2 Bahá (Splendor) 177 B.E. Saturday, March 21, 2020 World Poetry Day 20204 Happy World Poetry Day 2020! With the shelter-in-place order in effect, it's time to read your favorite poem or write a poem dedicated to your favorite poet. Gratitude List for 2 Baha Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 1 Bahá (Splendor) 177 B.E. Friday, March 20, 2020 Naw-Ruz 177 B.E. and the Feast Day of Baha The Feast Day of Baha5 On the Feast Day of Baha the splendor of the New Year rose resplendent above Sunrise Mount casting the glory of dawn across the planet. In the first light of day the excellence of spring warmed the cold ground of winter causing it to give birth and bring forth new life. Gratitude List for 1 Baha Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 19 ʻAláʼ (Loftiness) 176 B.E. Thursday, March 19, 2020 On the Nineteenth Day of Fast6 I contemplate the coming year full of joy, hope, and sharing the word of Baha'u'llah on the unity of humanity. Gratitude List for 19 ʻAláʼ Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
ʻIdál (Justice), 18 ʻAláʼ (Loftiness) 176 B.E. Wednesday, March 18, 2020 On the Seventeenth Day of Fast7 I inhale the chill of morning, and meditate on the meaning of the Nineteen-Day Fast: Letting Go and Letting God. Gratitude List for 18 ʻAláʼ Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() On the Eighteenth Day of Fast8 I give thanks for the blessing of the Fast, and the approach of Naw-Ruz. Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 16 ʻAláʼ (Loftiness) 176 B.E. Tuesday, March 17, 2020 On the Sixteenth Day of Fast9 I meditate on a Fasting prayer: it is the wine of Divine love flowing from the Holy Spirit into the chalice of immortality. Gratitude List for 16 ʻAláʼ Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Facebook Status Update The world has gone utterly mad! I WILL NOT panic! I have placed all my affairs in the hands of Baha'u'llah. Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 15 ʻAláʼ (Loftiness) 176 B.E. Monday, March 16, 2020 On the Fourteenth Day of Fast10 When the body fast the soul sips the wine of faith from the chalice of God's Word. Gratitude List for 14 ʻAláʼ Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() On the Fifthteenth Day of Fast11 I focus my meditation upon the Word of God revealed by Baha'u'llah, the Glory of God. Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 13 ʻAláʼ (Loftiness) 176 B.E. Saturday, March 14, 2020 On the Thirteenth Day of Fast12 Fast prayers inspire Encourage the poet to write Odes to the All-Glorious Lord, Praising the Glory of God. Gratitude List for 13 ʻAláʼ Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Jamál (Beauty), 14 ʻAláʼ (Loftiness) 176 B.E. Sunday, March 15, 2020 Gratitude List for 14 ʻAláʼ Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 11 ʻAláʼ (Loftiness) 176 B.E. Thursday, March 12, 2020 On the Eleventh Day of Fast13 I read Fasting by Jelaluddin Rumi, and it was a beautiful description of the Fast. Gratitude List for 11 ʻAláʼ Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() Istiqlál (Independence), 12 ʻAláʼ (Loftiness) 176 B.E. Friday, March 13, 2020 On the Twelfth Day of Fast14 Tranquility embraces the mind and the soul of the individual that places complete trust in the All-Glorious Lord. Gratitude List for 12 ʻAláʼ Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 9 ʻAláʼ (Loftiness) 176 B.E. Tuesday, March 10, 2020 On the Ninth Day of Fast15 I contemplate detachment, and comprehend it as one benefit of fasting. Gratitude List for 9 ʻAláʼ Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ʻIdál (Justice), 10 ʻAláʼ (Loftiness) 176 B.E. Wednesday, March 11, 2020 On the Tenth Day of Fast16 Oh Lord, I am a pebble resounding with Thy praise in this age of unity. Gratitude List for 10 ʻAláʼ Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 7 ʻAláʼ (Loftiness) 176 B.E. Sunday, March 8, 2020 On the Seventh Day of Fast17 Sleep arrives on the wings of prayer revealed for the Nineteen-day Fast, and I realize that, because of age and medication, I miss fasting. Gratitude List for 7 ʻAláʼ Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() Kamál (Perfection), 8 ʻAláʼ (Loftiness) 176 B.E. Monday, March 9, 2020 On the Eighth Day of Fast18 I intone a prayer revealed for the Fast, a prayer that begins praise of God, a prayer the ask protection, and request forgiveness. I meditate, I realize the prayer encourages obedience and trust in God-- the only protection in times of trouble. Gratitude List for 8 ʻAláʼ Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 6 ʻAláʼ (Loftiness) 176 B.E. Saturday, March 7, 2020 On the Sixth Day of Fast19 In prayer I speak to the All-Glorious Creator! In meditation I listen for the Creator speaking in the language of my soul. Divine love and forgiveness emanate from the prayers revealed for the nineteen-day fast. Gratitude List for 6 ʻAláʼ Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 5 ʻAláʼ (Loftiness) 176 B.E. Friday, March 6, 2020 On the Fifth Day of Fast20 Sunrise to sunset Prayers and meditation For those who fast Gratitude List for 5 ʻAláʼ Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 4 ʻAláʼ (Loftiness) 176 B.E. Thursday, March 5, 2020 On the Fourth Day of Fast21 At 73, I Fast spiritually. Day by day I let go of old habits and thoughts that hold back the progress of my soul. Prayer by prayer I place each tests in the hands of God's Glory. Gratitude List for 4 ʻAláʼ Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
ʻIdál (Justice), 3 ʻAláʼ (Loftiness) 176 B.E. Wednesday, March 4, 2020 On the Third Day of Fast22 Paragraph by paragraph I consumes the word of God feeding my soul on sacred scriptures. Gratitude List for 3 ʻAláʼ Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 2 ʻAláʼ (Loftiness) 176 B.E. Tuesday, March 3, 2020 On the Second Day of Fast23 I read a prayer revealed for the nineteen-day Fast, and contemplate letting go. In its essence fasting is letting go of the desires of the flesh-- such as food and drink-- and holding onto spiritual qualities-- such as faith in God and forgiveness. At 73 I am learning to let go of the prejudices and fears that come between me and the Glorious Lord. Gratitude List for 2 ʻAláʼ Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 1 ʻAláʼ (Loftiness) 176 B.E. Monday, March 2, 2020 On the First Day of Fast24 Age and medication prevent fasting from food and drink, not meditation and prayer. Gratitude List for 1 ʻAláʼ Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 5 Ayyám-i-Há (The Days of Há) 176 B.E. Sunday, March 1, 2020 Facebook Status Update On the fifth day of Ayyam-i-Ha, the wind sing through palm and pine carrying the joyous new of the approach of the Fast and Naw-Ruz. Gratitude List for 5 Ayyám-i-Há Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() |