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. |
Jalál (Glory), 2 Mulk (Dominion) 176 B.E. - Saturday, February 8, 2020 Humanity's Soteriology1 Humanity's soteriology depends upon its unity, upon the acceptance of the oneness of the human race. Gratitude List for 2 Mulk Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 628 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this chilly winter morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the corn dogs I had for lunch. ...that my prescriptions for Latanoprost and Restasis came today. ...for the lemon crunch yogurt I had with my lunch. ...that I am registered Independent or non-partisan, because I don't have to get involved with all this caucus mess going on in the U.S. Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 19 Sulṭán (Sovereignty) 176 B.E. - Thursday, February 6, 2020 Gratitude List for 19 Sulṭán 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 chewy chocolate chip oat bar I had with my coffee. ...that I have 502 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the cereal and milk I had for breakfast. ...that I was able to finish We Cannot Find God on Our Own by Tom Tai-Seale, which is part of the series Ancient Plan Unfolding . ...for the soup I had for lunch. ...that I have 3,107,437 GPs in my Gift Points account. ...for the merit badge I received today. Istiqlál (Independence), 1 Mulk (Dominion) 176 B.E. - Friday, February 7, 2020 Gratitude List for 1 Mulk Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account isn't overdrawn today. ...for the fresh brewed coffee I had this morning. ...that I have 541 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the oat chocolate chip chewy I had for my morning snack. ...that I have 13,000 points in my YouGov account. ...for the cereal I had for breakfast. |
ʻIdál (Justice), 18 Sulṭán (Sovereignty) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, February 5, 2020 Winter Clouds2 Winter clouds gather bringing back memories of snowy Oklahoma winters, when Grandma made hot chocolate and baked pumpkin pies. Gratitude List for 18 Sulṭán Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this chilly winter morning. ...that I have 477 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the raspberry yogurt I had for breakfast this morning. ...that I could pay the rest of the rent today. ...for the small breakfast pastry I had with my coffee this morning. Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 16 Sulṭán (Sovereignty) 176 B.E. - Monday, February 3, 2020 Gratitude List for 15 Sulṭán Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 52 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for fresh brewed coffee on this windy winter morning. ...that the money from PayPal hit my checking account today. ...for the French toast I had for breakfast. ...that I was able to pay most of the rent today. ...for the grapes I had for my morning snack. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the Merit badges I received today. Fiḍál (Grace), 17 Sulṭán (Sovereignty) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, February 4, 2020 Gratitude List for 17 Sulṭán Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account isn't overdrawn today. ...for the fresh brewed black coffee I had this morning. ...that I have 128 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the merit badge I received today. |
Jamál (Beauty), 15 Sulṭán (Sovereignty) 176 B.E. - Sunday, February 2, 2020 Food For My Soul3 Word by word, sentence by sentence, paragraph by paragraph, and page by page I consume food of the spirit revealed by Baha'u'llah. The scripture of the Blessed Beauty feed my soul with the bread of life, and wine of immortality. Gratitude List for 15 Sulṭán Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 1,407 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for fresh brewed coffee on this beautiful Groundhog's Day. ...that my Bank of America checking account isn't overdrawn today. ...for the eggs and peanut butter breakfast I had this morning. ...that I was able to go to Devotional Services at the Baha'i Center this morning. ...for the Arizona sweet ice tea I have to drink this afternoon. ...that I was able to request $14.07 sent to my PayPal account. ...for the grapes I had for my afternoon snack. ...that I could transfer $18.79 from my PayPal account to my checking account. Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 14 Sulṭán (Sovereignty) 176 B.E. - Saturday, February 1, 2020 Winter Days4 On beautiful winter days, when the sky is blue and the sun shines bright my muse takes flight when I hear a spiritual or a gospel song; it's at these moments that I write odes to the Glory of God. Gratitude List for 14 Sulṭán Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 1,221 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the chocolate cupcake I had with my morning coffee. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed coffee on this beautiful winter morning. ...that my Social Security check hit my checking account today. ...for the grapes I had for my morning snack. ...that I received my 3GB of data and 1,000 minutes today. ...for the bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich I had for breakfast. ...that I have 1,294 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the merit badge I received today. Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 13 Sulṭán (Sovereignty) 176 B.E. - Friday, January 31, 2020 Gratitude List for 13 Sulṭán Today I am thankful ... ...for the good night's sleep I got last night. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed coffee on this chilly winter morning. ...that one of my government checks hit my bank today. ...for the fruit I had for my first breakfast. ...that I was able to pay the Cox Communication bill for the Internet today. ...for the chocolate cupcake I had with my coffee this morning. ...that I have 1,203 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the merit badges I received today. |
Istijlál (Majesty), 12 Sulṭán (Sovereignty) 176 B.E. - Thursday, January 30, 2020 Winter5 On cold winter nights a chill penetrates my bones arousing thoughts of spring. In the sleepless cold snuggling under warm blankets I miss spring's pleasant embrace. Winter is lonely flowerless gardens, dead grass, and leafless trees. Gratitude List for 12 Sulṭán Today I am thankful ... ...for fresh brewed coffee on this beautiful winter morning. ...that I have 1,006 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the chocolate cupcake I had to go with my coffee. ...that I have 2,864,882 GPs in my Gift Points account. ...for the mushroom omelet I had for breakfast. ...that I have $6.28 in my Vindale Research account. ...for the grapes I had as an afternoon snack. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the pizza I had for supper tonight. Footnotes |
ʻIdál (Justice), 11 Sulṭán (Sovereignty) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, January 29, 2020 There's something about the sunset that saddens me. It is time to face reality! Did I read from God's word today? Did I pray? Did I bring joy into someone's life? Or did I fall short of the mark by bringing pain to a human heart? Dis word and deed go hand-in-hand in my dealing with my fellowman? Or did my actions oppose my words proving me a hypocrite? Gratitude List for 11 Sulṭán Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 878 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for fresh brewed coffee on this beautiful winter morning. ...that my Bank of America account is not overdrawn today. ...for the blueberry muffin I had to go with my coffee. ...that the $30.21 from Inbox Dollar hit my PayPal account today. ...for the banana I had for my first breakfast. ...that the t-shirt Schnujo is Late to Lannister sent arrived today. ...for the chocolate cupcake I had for my afternoon snack. ...that I have the Editor's picks for my edition of the February spiritual newsletter. ...for the Portobello mushroom I had for lunch. Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 10 Sulṭán (Sovereignty) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, January 28, 2020 January7 January is the month of the mouse, two years in a row they have entered the apartment uninvited and unwanted. January is a stressful month without mice getting into the kitchen drawer and eating the small bags of rice. Gratitude List for 10 Sulṭán Today I am thankful ... ...that I have $27.06 in my Send Earnings account. ...for the banana I have to go with my coffee this morning. ...that I have 12,650 points in my YouGov account. ...for fresh brewed coffee on this chilly winter day. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the muffin I have for my first breakfast. ...that I have 704 points in my Survey Junkie account. Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 9 Sulṭán (Sovereignty) 176 B.E. - Monday, January 27, 2020 Gratitude List for 9 Sulṭán Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 619 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful winter morning. ...that I have $33.21 in my Inbox Dollars account. I was able to have $30.21 sent to my PayPal account. It is supposed to be processed on January 29. ...for the corn dog I had for breakfast this morning. ...that I have $26.80 in my Send Earnings account. ...for the cinnamon roll I had with my coffee. ...that I have 2,844,507 GPs in my Gift Points account. ...for the banana I have for my afternoon snack. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. |
Jamál (Beauty), 8 Sulṭán (Sovereignty) 176 B.E. - Sunday, January 26, 2020 Winter Afternoon8 A chilly breeze blows through the palm trees, clouds decorate the blue sky, and I pray giving thanks for another beautiful winter day. Gratitude List for 8 Sulṭán Today I am thankful ... ...that I have $68.59 in my Google Adsense account. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful winter morning. ...that I have $32.96 in my Inbox Dollars account. ...for the cinnamon roll to go with my coffee. ...that I was able to finish Baha’u’llah’s New Vision of Christ’s Atonement Christopher Buck. This is Part 58 of the series Figuring Out Prophecy . ...for the sausage and egg sandwich I had for breakfast this morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the tacos I had for lunch. ...that I have 442 points in my Survey Junkie account, Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 7 Sulṭán (Sovereignty) 176 B.E. - Saturday, January 25, 2020 Walking Along the Edge9 I walk along the cliff of survival, a hair's breath from tumbling into the abyss, one misstep and I fall into the darkness. I cannot look into the chasm, because I will lose my footing and fall into the endless night of financial ruin. Gratitude List for 7 Sulṭán Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful winter morning. ...that I have 358 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the breakfast pastries I have to go with my coffee. ...that I have $32.59 in my Inbox Dollars account. ...for the canned plums I had for breakfast. ...that I have 2,841,767 GPs in my Gift Points account. ...for the Arizona sweet ice tea I had for lunch. Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 6 Sulṭán (Sovereignty) 176 B.E. - Friday, January 24, 2020 Gratitude List for 6 Sulṭán Today I am thankful ... ...that I have $32.32 in my Inbox Dollars account. ...for fresh brewed hot coffee on this beautiful winter morning. ...that I have $26.70 in my Send Earnings account. ...for the breakfast pastries I had to go with m y coffee. ...that I have 303 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the good night's sleep I got last night. ...that I have $5.86 in my Vindale Research account. |
ʻIdál (Justice), 4 Sulṭán (Sovereignty) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, January 22, 2020 Gratitude List for 4 Sulṭán Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn. ...for the cold brew coffee with almond milk I had this morning with breakfast. ...that I have 104 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the responses I received to "Spiritual Newsletter (January 15, 2020)" . ...that "Ayyam-i-Ha: The Holiday Season" was one of the items in the Editors' Pick of "Spiritual Newsletter (January 22, 2020)" . ...for the responses I received to "Fantasy Newsletter (January 22, 2020)" . ...that I have 2,838,057 GPs in my Gift Points account. Istijlál (Majesty), 5 Sulṭán (Sovereignty) 176 B.E. - Thursday, January 23, 2020 Facebook Status Update I'm beginning to dislike January; every Gregorian year-- for the past few years-- has been stress filled. I spend the first quarter getting everything unstressed, so that by the final quarter I have a restful night's sleep. A new Gregorian year begins by pushing my stress buttons; I pray, meditate, and work to get it together, only to have it come apart at the beginning of the next year. Gratitude List for 5 Sulṭán Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful winter morning. ...that I have 218 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the breakfast pastry I have to go with my coffee this morning. ...that it was nice enough to keep the front door open for a little while today, so that we could get some fresh air into the house. ...for the merit badge I received today. Epiphany At Noon10 At 73 I don't deal well with maybes! When I ask a question that require either a yes or no, I expect a yes or a no. Don't say "Uh, well..," while you look for an excuse, just give me a straight forward no or yes. Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 3 Sulṭán (Sovereignty) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, January 21, 2020 Poem At the End of the Day11 The day draws slowly to an end, weariness sets in, and tears begin. I feel so alone-- isolated-- cut off from the rest of humanity. What causes this stress? Is it lack of financial success? Is the problem spiritual? I contemplate the reason, and reach for my prayer book knowing that the answer will come only through prayer. Gratitude List for 3 Sulṭán Today I am thankful ... ...that I have $4.86 in my Vindale Research account. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful January morning. ...that I have 1,206 points in my Survey Junkies account. I transferred $12.06 to my PayPal account. ...for the instant oatmeal I had for breakfast. ...that I was able to transfer $12.42 from my PayPal account to my savings account. ...for the turkey and dressing frozen dinner I had for lunch. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the 2,715,607 GPs I have in my Gift Points account. ...that I have $31.13 in my Inbox Dollars account. ...for the merit badge I received. Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 2 Sulṭán (Sovereignty) 176 B.E. - Monday, January 20, 2020 January Poem12 The door to 2020 stands open giving a hopeful glimpse of a brand new year and a new decade. Inhale the breath of faith-- as it wafts through the door of January-- as it invites us to strive for world peace. Gratitude List for 2 Sulṭán Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 976 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the baked potato with sour cream and butter I had for my evening snack last night. ...that I have $30.32 in my Inbox Dollars account. ...for fresh brewed coffee on this beautiful winter morning. ...that I have 12,150 points in my YouGov account. ...for the cookie I have to go with my coffee this morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the merit badges I received today. Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 19 Sharaf (Honor) 176 B.E. - Saturday, January 18, 2020 Gratitude List for 19 Sharaf Today I am thankful ... ...for the chocolate cup cake I had for my evening snack. ...that I have 865 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 cookie I had to go with my coffee this morning. ...that I have $30.08 in my Inbox Dollars account. ...for the merit badge I received. Jamál (Beauty), 1 Sulṭán (Sovereignty) 176 B.E. - Sunday, January 19, 2020 Gratitude List for 1 Sulṭán Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 911 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for fresh brewed coffee on this chilly winter morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the Macadamia nut cookie I had to go with my coffee. ...that I received second place in "The Prompt Me Contest" ...for the french toast I had for breakfast. ...that I received an awardcon for "The Snow Fence" . ...for the merit badges I received today. |
Istijlál (Majesty), 17 Sharaf (Honor) 176 B.E. - Thursday, January 16, 2020 Gratitude List for 17 Sharaf Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 526 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for fresh brewed coffee on this beautiful winter morning. ...that I have 2,707,007 GPs in my Gift Points account. ...for the cookie to go with my coffee. ...that the cooking timer-smoke alarm works. Istiqlál (Independence), 18 Sharaf (Honor) 176 B.E. - Friday, January 17, 2020 Universal Prayer13 O Thou Splendor of reality! Out of nonexistence You have called into being the universe. O Thou Glory of eternity! Your image Is reflected in the mirror of creation. O Thou Beauty of divinity! You have called in existence The Manifestations of Your attributes. Gratitude List for 18 Sharaf Today I am thankful ... ...for the cookie I had to go with my coffee this morning. ...that I have 724 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 merit badge I received. Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 15 Sharaf (Honor) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, January 14, 2020 Gratitude List for 15 Sharaf Today I am thankful ... ...for the chocolate candy I had for my bedtime snack. ...that I have 436 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the cookie I had with my coffee this morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the fresh brewed coffee I had this morning. ʻIdál (Justice), 16 Sharaf (Honor) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, January 15, 2020 Gratitude List for 16 Sharaf Today I am thankful ... ...for fresh brewed coffee on this chilly winter morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the cookie I had to go with my coffee. ...that I have 512 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the banana I had with breakfast. ...for the Starbucks Chicken Wrap with peanut-coconut sauce for breakfast. |