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. |
Fiḍál (Grace), 3 Kalimát (Words) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, July 16, 2019 Crop Circles1 Geometric circles Plant stems bent not broken, The mystery increases, Chills flow up the spine of fear, Hair stands on end, Questions echo through the mind: Elves dancing on the corn? Aliens waltzing on the wheat? Angels communicating God's love? Gratitude List for 3 Kalimát Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn this morning. ...for fresh brewed black coffee. ...that the contribution to the National Fund hit my bank today. ...that the payment to NV Energy hit the bank today . ...that I have 59,000 in my YouGov account. ...that I have 321 points in my Survey Junkie account. Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 2 Kalimát (Words) 176 B.E. - Monday, July 15, 2019 Vapor Lock2 The inspiration is there dawn still comes in all its scarlet splendor lovers meet, embrace, fight, kiss, and separate traffic flows, road kill decomposes, stars shine, planets condenses, suns novae, birth, death, and resurrection occur. The inspiration is there, but the flow is blocked obstructed by stress overheating, by bubbles forming between the fuel pump and the engine. Gratitude List for 2 Kalimát Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed black coffee. ...that I have 300 points in my Survey Junkie account. Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 1 Kalimát (Words) 176 B.E. - Sunday, July 14, 2019 Two Poems A Day3 One hundred and seven days to write one hundred and sixty four poems: Is this possible? Withe the help of Baha'u'llah and the Bab, I believe it is. If I write two poems a day it will take me eighty-two days, that will give me twenty-five days to review what I have written to celebrate the Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab. Gratitude List for 1 Kalimát Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn. ...for fresh brewed black coffee. ...that is is a pleasant morning and I can keep the door open for a little while to hear the birds cheeping and cooing. ...for the chocolate chip cookie I had to go with my coffee this morning. ...that I have $18.14 in my Inbox Dollars account. ...that I have 123 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...that I have 58,900 points in my YouGov account. Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 19 Rahmat (Mercy) 176 B.E. - Saturday, July 13, 2019 The Catalyst4 Two centuries have passed since His birth in Shiraz, and humanity moves toward unity. His birth in 1819, and His death in 1850 were the catalyst to humanity's transformation. This year we celebrate the Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab, who--along with Baha'u'lllah-- has created a vision of unity for humanity. Gratitude List for 19 Rahmat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the fresh brewed coffee this morning. ...that I could pay part of the electric bill today. ...for bottle water because it tastes better than water out of the faucet. ...that I have $17.93 in my Inbox Dollars account. ...for the cake I had for my afternoon snake. Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 17 Rahmat (Mercy) 176 B.E. - Thursday, July 11, 2019 Gratitude List For 17 Rahmat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...that I have $25.22 in my Vindale Research account. ...that I have 102 points in my Survey Junkie account. Istiqlál (Independence), 18 Rahmat (Mercy) 176 B.E. - Friday, July 12, 2019 Gratitude List For 18 Rahmat ...that I my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed hot coffee. ...that the money from Survey Junkie hit my checking account today. ...for the spam Musubi I have to go with my coffee today. ...that I had enough in the bank to cover the premium of my Senior Life policy today. ...for the pleasant morning because I can leave the door open for a little while. ...that I finished poem 32 of the 200 I'm writing to celebrate the Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab. |
Fiḍál (Grace), 15 Rahmat (Mercy) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, July 9, 2019 Gratitude List For 15 Rahmat Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 947 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the fresh brewed coffee I had this morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the Spam Musubi I had for breakfast today. ...that I have $24.22 in my Vindale Research account. ...for the sea food salad I had for lunch ‘Idál (Justice), 16 Rahmat (Mercy) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, July 10, 2019 Keeping the Electricity On5 Summer is here with triple digit temperatures and outrageous power bills: Where is the money coming from to keep the electricity on? Gratitude List For 16 Rahmat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today/ ...for fresh brewed black coffee. ...that I could transfer $12.71 from my Survey Junkie account to my checking account.. ...for the plain yogurt I had with my coffee this morning. ...that I have 58,400 points in my YouGov account. Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 13 Rahmat (Mercy) 176 B.E. - Sunday, July 7, 2019 Gratitude List For 13 Rahmat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the fresh brewed coffee I had this morning. ...that I have completed poem 28 in the 200 I'm writing to celebrate the Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab: "July 9, 1850 in Tabriz, Iran (Persia)" . ...for the pumpkin bread I had for my morning snack. ...that I have 158 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...that I have I was able to finish and submit my next fantasy newsletter today. ...that I have five editors picks for my next edition of the spiritual newsletter. Kamál (Perfection), 14 Rahmat (Mercy) 176 B.E. - Monday, July 8, 2019 Gratitude List For 14 Rahmat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed coffee on this beautiful summer morning. ...that I have 632 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for I had a can of Arizona sweet iced tea to go with my lunch. |
Jalál (Glory), 12 Rahmat (Mercy) 176 B.E. - Saturday, July 6, 2019 My Grandfather's Word6 My Grandfather had a word for it, for the bitching, the complaining, and the grumbling under your breath. It was mulligrubbing, it wasn't ladylike, it wasn't gentleman-like, it was worrying aloud and being rude to disturb others with your gripping. Gratitude List For 12 Rahmat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the fresh brewed coffee I had this morning. ...that the $10.68 from Survey Junkies hit my checking account today. ...for the breakfast pastry I had with my coffee this morning. ...that the $15.00 from PayPal hit my checking account today. ...that I have 147 points in my Survey Junkies account. ...that "Wind in the Valley of Fire" won "Invalid Item" . ...for the Arizona sweet ice tea I had with my lunch. ...that I have completed 25 poems of the 200 I am writing to celebrate the Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab. Those poem are "1 Muharram 1235 AH" , "Intoning the Prayer of The Bab" , "The Great Trumpet Has Sounded" , "Portal of Grace: To The Bab" , "The Wayfarer's Journey Begins" , "Who is The Bab?" , "Declaration of The Bab" , "Invocation to The Bab" , "Morning Star: To The Bab" , "Queen of Carme Mountainl: The Shrine of the Bab" , "He Opened The Door: To The Bab" , "Light of the Holy Spirit: To The Bab" , "All-Sufficing Faith" , "Mausoleum of The Bab: The Queen of Carmel" , "Angels of Light Proclaim the Declaration of The Bab" , "Rejoice! For This Is The Immortal Youth" , "Letters of the Living" , "Who is The Bab?" , "Unshelfish Prayer" , "The Martyrdom of The Bab" , "Unfailing Protection" , "Preparing The Heart" , "The Connection: To The Bab" , "Religion Renewed" , and "Remover of Difficulties" . Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 11 Rahmat (Mercy) 176 B.E. - Friday, July 5, 2019 Cats7 In the morning they are like rick black coffee each sip a hot claw in your bare hands. Gratitude List For 11 Rahmat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the fresh brewed black coffee I had this morning. ...that I have 138 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the Starbucks breakfast sandwich I had this morning. ...that I was able to finish Why I Believe Christ Has Returned by Vahid Houston Ranjbar. This is the first article in the series The Prophets’ Prophecies Fulfilled . ...that I have $22.72 in my Vindale Research account. ...that I have $20.00 in my Send Earnings account. ...that I have $17.01 in my Inbox Dollars account. Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 10 Rahmat (Mercy) 176 B.E. - Thursday, July 4, 2019 Independence8 Independence is a spiritual virtue, a divine attribute, that humanity must use responsibly. Gratitude List For 10 Rahmat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrafted today. ...for the fresh brewed hot coffee I had on the beautiful July morning. ...that I have 27 points in my Survey Junkie Account. ...for the pleasant morning that allowed me to leave the door open to get some fresh air. ...that I have $21.97 in my Vindale Research account. Facebook Status Update The pain in my left thumb is the silence between our souls. It is the distant echoes of small arms fire that severs the arteries of love. Footnotes |
‘Idál (Justice), 9 Rahmat (Mercy) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, July 3, 2019 Waking Up9 I wake before dawn pours cream into the black coffee of night. I rise before mourning doves lament the passing wind. Gratitude List For 9 Rahmat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed hot coffee. ...that I was able to pay the rent today. ...for the sweet roll I have to go with my coffee this morning. ...that I could transfer $10.38 from my Survey Junkie account to my checking account. ...for the yogurt I had for my morning snack. ...that my prescriptions for Levothyrocine and Lisinopril arrived today. Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 9 Rahmat (Mercy) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, July 2, 2019 Birds10 A poem is a Great Horned Owl mourning the departing night; mourning the twinkling stars fading in dawns nascent light. A poem is a Nightingale rejoicing in dawns first rays; rejoicing as the rising sun gives birth to a new day. A poem is a Mourning Dove lamenting the fleeting day; lamenting life's swift passage from birth to the grave. Gratitude List For 8 Rahmat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed hot coffee. ...that the $10.66 from Survey Junkie hit my checking account today. ...for 16.9 FL OZ of drinking water because I can easily carry them with me when I go on the paratranset bus. ...that I have 441 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...that I have $20.97 in my Vindale Research account. ...that I received a merit badge today. Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 8 Rahmat (Mercy) 176 B.E. - Monday, July 1, 2019 July: A Month of New Opportunities11 A new and glorious month has begun, with new opportunities to express gratitude to the Almighty: Gratitude List For 8 Rahmat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the fresh brewed coffee I had this morning. ...that I was able to transfer $10.66 from my Survey Junkie account to my checking account. ...that I have 107 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...that I have 57,800 in my YouGov account. ...that I have $20.22 in my Vindale Research account. Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 7 Rahmat (Mercy) 176 B.E. - Sunday, June 30, 2019 "The pipes, the pipes are playing..." The music of my soul, Chords that fall like raindrops from mountain crest and castle wall, Wild notes from highland battles echoing both victory and defeat. "The pipes, the pipes are calling..." To my genetic roots; Recalling ancestral memories from glen and moor and bog, Memories of Gaelic gods and goddesses worshiped in Erin, in Scotland, in Man. "The pipes, the pipes are marching..." To a new song in this day, To a song of unity, faith, and freedom, A song that all humanity can sing. Gratitude List For 7 Rahmat Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 57,700 points in my YouGov account. ...for the fresh brewed hot coffee I had this morning. ...that I was able to finish Nationalism? The Right Question for These Turbulent Times by Harvey Garver, which is the first article in the series What Comes After Nations? . ...for the sweet roll I had to go with my coffee. ...that I have 928 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the bottles of cold water we have in the refrigerator. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 6 Rahmat (Mercy) 176 B.E. - Saturday, June 29, 2019 The Joy of Finding Baha'u'llah13 The joy of finding Baha'u'llah vibrates through my soul, reverberates through my mind, shattering doubt and fear, and regenerating love and faith. Gratitude List For 6 Rahmat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the banana I had for my first breakfast. ...that my SSI check came in today. ...for fresh brewed coffee. ...that I have 829 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the BBQ ribs I had for lunch. ...that I was able to complete The Historic Human Fraternity Document for World Peace by the editors of BahaiTeachings.org. This article gave me fresh insight into the The Human Fraternity Document signed by His Holiness Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahamad. Facebook Status Update Wind spins clouds to threads, Weaves threads into carpets, It scatters across the sky. Wind rips cloud carpets to shreds, Spins them to gossamer threads And weaves them into tapestries. Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 5 Rahmat (Mercy) 176 B.E. - Friday, June 28, 2019 Beacons14 Stars twinkle, glittering diamonds in a black velvet sky. Planet burn holes in the ebony blanket of night. planes fly across the firmament, their precious gem lights beacons guiding the mind to a conclusion. Each item has a specific attribute identifying it to the observer. Each is a beacon to the poet's muse. Gratitude List For 5 Rahmat Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 741 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the banana I had for my first breakfast. ...that my bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today ...for the pleasant morning because I could leave the door open for some fresh air. ...that "Flash of Inspiration" won first place in "Invalid Item" contest. Footnotes |
‘Idál (Justice), 3 Rahmat (Mercy) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, June 26, 2019 One Hundred Words15 I reread the words I'd written, I listened for the voice of fear, and found it expressed in each line. I heard the question reverberating through my mind: Can I write two hundred words? Did I detect the voice of terror echoing between the line? Were those tears I heard, in the unwritten words? One hundred words to motive. One hundred questions asked. Can one hundred questions be answered in one hundred words? Gratitude List For 3 Rahmat 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 $16.32 in my Inbox Dollars account. ...for fresh brewed hot coffee. ...that I signed up for the "30-Day Blogging Challenge ON HIATUS" official month with "I Blog Poetry and Prose" . ...for the breakfast sandwich I had for my second breakfast today. Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 2 Rahmat (Mercy) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, June 25, 2019 Age after age the desert wind whispers through red stone canyons. While grain upon grain desert sand moves against sandstone cliffs. Carving images in the stone. Images to which we attach names. The Bee Hives, Elephant Rock, et cetera. Names and images which the coming aeons will erase. Gratitude List For 2 Rahmat Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn this morning. ...for the banana I had with my coffee this morning. ...that I was able to transfer $10.31 from my Survey Junkie account to my checking account. Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 1 Rahmat (Mercy) 176 B.E. - Monday, June 24, 2019 Feast of Rahmat (Mercy) Facebook Statue Update It was a good day. I went to Devotional Services at the Baha'i Center and I started poem 24 of the 200 I'm writing the celebrate the Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab. Monday morning bird song echoes through my neighborhood, greeting the new workweek. Gratitude List For 1 Rahmat Today I am thankful ... ...that I have 799 point in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the banana I had for my first breakfast. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn this morning. ...for the $5.00 the Nielson company sent me for completing a mail-in survey. ...for the Grandma's chocolate chip cookies I have for my afternoon snack. ...that I received a merit badge today. |
Jamál (Beauty), 19 Núr (Light) 176 B.E. - Sunday, June 23, 2019 God is one! Composed Of two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen Water flows Religion is one! Water flows Across the face of the planet Two atoms of hydrogen and o ne atome of oxygen Descends in torrents From the clouds of mercy Humanity is one! Fresh or salt Rain or standing Water is composed Of two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen Gratitude List For 19 Núr Today I am thankful ... ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the banana I had for my morning snack. ...that I have 648 points in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the chocolate cake I had to go with my coffee this morning. ...that I was able to attend Devotional Services today at the Baha'i Center. ...for the cranberry juice I had with my snack at the Baha'i Center. ...that I was able to purchase a Baha'i Date book for 176 B.E. ...for the Arizona sweet ice tea I have for my afternoon snack. ...that I received a merit badge today. Facebook Status Update Reading the revealed prayers aloud Calms both my mind and soul With the presence of the Holy Spirit Footnotes |