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), 16 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Saturday, October 12, 2019 The Fragrance of Autumn1 Inhale the fragrance of autumn, the crisp scent on the morning breeze foretells the coming of winter and snow in the Rocky Mountains. Gratitude List for 16 Mashíyyat Today I am thankful ... ...for fresh brewed hot coffee on this crisp autumn morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the cookie I have to go with my coffee this morning. ...that I have 867 points in my Survey Junkies account. ...for the pudding I have with my breakfast this morning. Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 15 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Friday, October 11, 2019 Autumn Memories2 The chill in the autumn air brings back memories of Oklahoma, and Grandma's home made cookies. Every year for Halloween, she made cookies for the neighborhood children, who all called her Grandma. She always made oatmeal-raisin and peanut butter cookies; she always knew who not to give the peanut butter cookies to. It was a different time, you knew everyone in the neighborhood, and knew who you could trust and who you couldn't. Gratitude List for 15 Mashíyyat Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 822 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the chocolate muffin I have to go with my coffee this morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed hot black coffee on this beautiful autumn morning. ...that I received a merit badge. Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 14 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Thursday, October 10, 2019 Facebook Status Update Beautiful morning With an autumn wind blowing Its sweater weather Gratitude List for 14 Mashíyyat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the cinnamon roll I had to go with my coffee this morning. ...that I have 580 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful autumn morning. ...that I have $44.82 in my Vindale Research account. ...that I have completed 158 of the 200 poem I'm writing to celebrate the Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab. Autumn Thoughts3 The chill in the air reminds me the winter is approaching, and I wonder when snow will begin to cover Mount Charleston. Footnotes |
‘Idál (Justice), 13 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, October 9, 2019 Sparrows Sing on an Autumn Morning4 Why do sparrows sing on an autumn morning? Are they giving thanks for the cooler weather? Every morning they raise their song for all to hear., letting everyone know how happy they are. Gratitude List for 13 Mashíyyat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this cool autumn morning. ...that "Halloween Hike" received honorable mention in October's "Stormy's poetry newsletter & contest" / ...for a chocolate covered doughnut to go with my coffee. ...that I have 2,750 points in my YouGov account. ...for the sparrows that sing every morning. ...that I have $44.07 in my Vindale research account. ...that I have 360 points in my Survey Junkie account. ... that I finished The Bab’s Influence on Baha’i Devotions by Christopher Buck. This is part of the series {xlink;https://bahaiteachings.org/series/the-babs-living-legacy}The Bab’s Living Legacy. ...that I received a merit badge. Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 11 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Monday, October 7, 2019 Gratitude List for 11 Mashíyyat Today I am thankful ... ...that my bank of America checking account is no overdrawn today. ...for the chocolate cookies I have to go with my coffee this morning. ...that the $11.00 from my PayPal account hit my bank today. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this pleasant autumn morning. ...that I have 1,900 points in my YouGov account. ...for the Starbucks Eggs & Cheese container I had for breakfast. ...that I have 118 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the watermelon I had for my afternoon snack. Fiḍál (Grace), 12 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, October 8, 2019 Facebook Status Update Through His transcendent mercy God foreordained the Birth of the Bab. Gratitude List for 12 Mashíyyat Today I am thankful ... ...that my bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the chocolate covered doughnut I had to go with my coffee this morning. ...that I have 277 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for fresh brewed hot coffee on this beautiful autumn day. ...that I have 1,457, 799 GPs in my Gift Points account. A Good Day5 It's a good day to writ poetry and contemplate, in stanza and line, the Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab. Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 9 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Saturday, October 5, 2019 Autumn Poem6 The days grow shorter the nights longer, the temperatures cooler, people emerge from their homes, and begin thinking about the winter holidays. Gratitude List for 9 Mashíyyat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on the beautiful autumn day. ...that I received an awardicon for "Dreams of Snow " . ...for the chocolate chip cookie I have to go with my coffee this morning. ...that I have 1,453,199 GPs in my Gift Points account. ...that I received a merit badge. Jamál (Beauty), 10 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Sunday, October 6, 2019 Gratitude List for 10 Mashíyyat Today I am thankful ... ...that I was able to attend the Unit Convention at the Baha'i Center today. ...for the hot coffee that Kamal made at the Center today. ...that I was able to purchase Days to Remember Compiled by Baher Forghani tofsy. ...for the pizza and salad I had for lunch today. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 7 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Thursday, October 3, 2019 Gratitude List for 7 Mashíyyat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the chocolate milk I had for my first breakfast this morning. ...that the $50.00 from the YouGov surveys hit my checking account today ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful autumn morning. ...that I was able to pay the rent today. ...that I have 421 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...that "Healing" won "Invalid Item" . Istiqlál (Independence), 8 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Friday, October 4, 2019 Autumn Afternoon7 Inhale the fragrance Autumn invades the city On afternoon's breeze Gratitude List for 8 Mashíyyat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed hot black coffee on the beautiful autumn morning. ...that I have 780 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the Starbucks Lemon Crunch Parfait I had for my morning snack. ...that I have 1,300 points in my YouGov account. Footnotes |
‘Idál (Justice), 6 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, October 2, 2019 Facebook Status Update Update on my smartphone. I will be receiving a new phone sometime this month, hopefully within 7 to 10 days. I will update this information ASAP. Gratitude List for 6 Mashíyyat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn this morning. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful autumn day. ...that I have 206 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...that I have $43.54 in my Vindale Research account. The Scent of October8 Inhale the scent of October, memories on the breeze of morning as trees change from green to hues of orange and yellow. The scent of October, a memory of my grandfather raking and burning leaves before the arrival of the year's first snow. Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 5 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, October 1, 2019 Chocolate Cookies9 Chocolate chip cookies I celebrate the International Day of the Older Person with a sweet treat. Gratitude List for 5 Mashíyyat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn this morning. ...for fresh brewed black coffee. ...that I have 1,008 points in my Survey Junkie account. I redeemed it for $10.08 to my PayPal account. ...that I had 68,050 in my YouGov account. I was able to use 67,500 to redeem $50.00 to my checking account. It will arrive there within two weeks from Hyperwallet, YouGov or combination. ...that I was able to order the necessary items from Humana's OCT pharmacy this morning. I have $4.00 left in that account that I can use this year. 252 - 3, 219 - 2: #1000102926909. ...that I have $43.18 in my Vindale Research account. ...for the chocolate chip cookies I have for my afternoon snack. ...that I was able to transfer $10.00 from my PayPal account to my checking account. ...that I have 61 points in my Survey Junkie account. Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 3 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Sunday, September 29, 2019 Facebook Status Update Beautiful Sunday Chilly autumn breeze blowing Warning of winter Gratitude List for 3 Mashíyyat Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 434 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for fresh brewed hot black coffee on the beautiful Sunday morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the grapes I had with my breakfast this morning. Kamál (Perfection), 4 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Monday, September 30, 2019 After School10 Children laughing Playing tag and shouting Autumn afternoon Gratitude List for 4 Mashíyyat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn toda y. ...for fresh brewed black coffee. ...that I have 801 in my Survey Junkie account. Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 1 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Friday, September 27, 2019 Gratitude List for 1 Mashíyyat Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 344 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for fresh brewed black coffee. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn this morning. Jalál (Glory), 2 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Saturday, September 28, 2019 Gratitude List for 2 Mashíyyat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account isn't overdrawn this morning. ...for fresh brewed strong black coffee. ...that I have 407 [points in my Survey Junkie account. ...that I have 67,450 in my YouGov account. ...for the chocolate chip cookie I had as my afternoon snack. ...that I have 1,388,439 GPs in my Gift Points account |
‘Idál (Justice), 18 ‘Izzat (Might) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, September 25, 2019 Gratitude List for 18 ‘Izzat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful morning. ...that I have one item to put in Reader's Feed back for the October spiritual newsletter. ...for the chocolate cake I had with my lunch. ...that I have 1,015 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the Arizona sweet Ice tea I had this afternoon. ...that I could redeem the points in my Survey Junkie account for $10.15 to my PayPal account. Istijlál (Majesty), 19 Izzat (Might) 176 B.E. - Thursday, September 26, 2019 Gratitude List for 19 ‘Izzat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today ...for fresh brewed black coffee this morning. ...that I was able to transfer $10.00 from my PayPal account to my checking account. ...that I have 19 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...that I have $42.44 in my Vindale research account. |
Kamál (Perfection), 17 ‘Izzat (Might) 176 B.E. - Monday, September 23, 2019 Facebook Status Update I will be getting a new phone number. Those of you who have the number of the house phone can contact me that way. Anyone who has one of my e-mail addresses can contact me that way. I will contact anyone who I have a number for as soon as I can get it off my old smart phone, which is rebooting itself at random intervals. Gratitude List for 17 ‘Izzat Today I am thankful ... ...that I have my expenses (at least those I know about) listed for October. ...for fresh brewed black coffee. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdraft. ...for the chocolate cup cake I have to go with my coffee. ...that I have completed 142 poems of the 200 I am writing to celebrate the Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab. Fiḍál (Grace), 18 ‘Izzat (Might) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, September 24, 2019 Facebook Status Update I confess my sins to Baha'u'llah, Asking forgiveness from the Glory of God. Gratitude List for 18 ‘Izzat 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 a little over $5.00 in my savings account. ...for the chocolate cup cake I have to go with my coffee. ...that I have 620 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the ground coffee that my neighbor gave me when she threw out her coffeemaker. ...that I have completed 144 of the 200 poems I am writing for the Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab. ...that I have $42.13 in my Vindale Research account. ...that I have 66,850 points in my YouGov account. I Smile11 I smile through the pain I cannot let the darkness gain a hold on my soul. I call on Baha'u'llah, intoning prayers for healing, prayers asking forgiveness, and prayers beseeching assistance. I smile knowing that the All Glorious Lord will answer my prayers. Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 16 ‘Izzat (Might) 176 B.E. - Sunday, September 22, 2019 "The gift of God to this enlightened age is the knowledge of the oneness of mankind and of the fundamental oneness of religion. War shall cease between nations, and by the will of God the Most Great Peace shall come; the world will be seen as a new world, and all men will live as brothers." Abdu'l-Baha God's Gift12 God's gift is oneness: One Divine Creator sent the messengers of each religion to the human race. Gratitude List for 16 ‘Izzat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the Oreo cookies I had to go with my coffee this morning. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful Sunday morning. ...that I was able to attend Devotional Services at the Baha'i Center today. ...for the chocolate cake and cherry pie I had at the Center. ...that I have 317 points in my Survey Junkie account. Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 15 ‘Izzat (Might) 176 B.E. - Saturday, September 21, 2019 Spiritual Happiness "Spiritual happiness is eternal and unfathomable. This kind of happiness appeareth in one's soul with the love of God and suffereth one to attain to the virtues and perfections of the world of humanity. Therefore, endeavor as much as thou canst in order to illumine the lamp of thy heart with the light of love." Bahá’í Writings The Love of God13 It is the love of God that encourages us to develop spiritual perfections and virtues. It is the love of God that ignites the lamp of the soul with spiritual happiness. Gratitude List for 15 ‘Izzat Today I am thankful ... ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful Saturday morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the chocolate cupcake I had with my coffee this morning. ...that I have 140 completed of the 200 I am writing for the celebration of the Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab. ...that I have 294 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...that I have 1,344,874 GPs in my Gift Points account. Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 13 ‘Izzat (Might) 176 B.E. - Thursday, September 19, 2019 Gratitude List for 13 ‘Izzat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed coffee on this beautiful morning. ...that I was able to pay the Cox Communication's bill today. ...for the doughnuts I had to go with my coffee. ...that I have 1,070 points in my survey Junkie account. I can h ave $10.70 transferred to my PayPal account. ...for the chicken pot pie I had for lunch today. ...that I was able to transfer $10.00 from my PayPal account to my checking account. ...for the Arizona sweet Ice tea I had this afternoon. ...that I have $41.13 in my Vindale Research account. ...that I have 237 points in my Survey Junkie account. Istiqlál (Independence), 14 ‘Izzat (Might) 176 B.E. - Friday, September 20, 2019 Gratitude List for 14 ‘Izzat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn. ...for the chocolate cup cake I had to go with my coffee this morning. ...that the $10.00 from PayPal hit my checking account today. ...for fresh brewed black coffee. ...that I received my Baha'i ID card today. The new one is beautiful and has a picture of the Baha'i Temple of North American on it. ...for the yogurt I had with my breakfast this morning. |
‘Idál (Justice), 11 ‘Izzat (Might) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, September 18, 2019 Submitted to "Spiritual Newsletter (September 18, 2019)" : Sophy, Maybe the third bricklayer considered his job as a means of worshiping God. Baha'u'llah in his Tablet Glad-Tidings (The twelfth Glad-Tidings): "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..." The idea that work is worship of God changes a person's attitude about any job they hold. Gratitude List for 11 ‘Izzat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful morning. ...that I have 801 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the apple pie I had to go with my coffee this morning. ...that I have completed 136 of the 200 poems I am writing for the Bicentenary celebration of the Birth of the Bab. ...for the stuffed Jalapeno, strawberries, and chocolate cupcake I had for lunch. Why Worry14 Why are you worrying, just place the problem in the Hands of God, the All-Sufficing. Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 9 ‘Izzat (Might) 176 B.E. - Monday, September 16, 2019 Gratitude List for 9 ‘Izzat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn this morning. ...for fresh brewed hot coffee. ...that I have 256 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...that I have 131 poems completed of the 200 I'm writing to celebrate the Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab. ...that I was able to listen the the first three songs of 30 Baha’i Blog Studio Sessions Based on the Writings of the Bab , while writing "Singing the Scred Scriptures a Three-Five-Seven poem" in "Snow's Writing for 2019, 2020, & Beyond" . ...that I have $40.30 in my Vindale Research account. https://dailygalaxy.com/2019/09/the-ultimate-mystery-consciousness-may-exist-in-... Fiḍál (Grace), 10 ‘Izzat (Might) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, September 17, 2019 Gratitude List for 10 ‘Izzat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful morning. ...that I have 310 point in my Survey Junkie account. |
Jalál (Glory), 7 ‘Izzat (Might) 176 B.E. - Saturday, September 14, 2019 Gratitude List for 7 ‘Izzat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn this morning. ...for fresh brewed black coffee. ...that I got a good night's sleep last night. ...for the Danimal yogurt I had for breakfast. ...that I have completed 128 poems in the 200 I'm writing for the bicentenary celebration o f the Birth of the Bab. ...for the ginger ale I had as my afternoon snack. ...that I have 32 points in my Survey Junkie account. Jamál (Beauty), 8 ‘Izzat (Might) 176 B.E. - Su nday, September 15, 2019 Facebook Status Update Sunday morning the aroma of bacon frying and coffee brewing brings back pleasant memories of my Grandparents. Gratitude List for 8 ‘Izzat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn this morning. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful Sunday morning. ...that I was able to finish the article Remembering “Forgotten” Indigenous Religions by Christopher Buck & Kevin Locke. ...for the pork chilly I had for lunch. ...that I have 66,000 points in my YouGov account. ...that I have 55 points in my Survey Junkie account. Sunday Afternoon Poem15 Beautiful Sunday a partly cloudy sky, with a slight wind. Pigeons have returned to their nests, no sparrows are singing, the afternoon sun cast shadows across the sidewalk. Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 6 ‘Izzat (Might) 176 B.E. - Friday, September 13, 2019 Facebook Status Update Fear of Friday the 13th is either Paraskevidekatriaphobia or Friggatriskaidekaphobia. Don't be afraid of big words, even those you can't pronounce. Gratitude List for 6 ‘Izzat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful morning. ...that I had 1,070 points in my Survey Junkie account, because I was able to transfer $10.70 to my PayPal account. ...that I was able to transfer $11.00 from my PayPal account to my checking account. Friday Poem16 Friday at last time to rest-- or at least pause-- from workweek stress. https://curiosity.com/topics/the-big-bang-wasnt-actually-the-beginning-of-the-un... Footnotes |