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), 15 ʻIzzat (Will) 179 B.E. - Thursday, September 22, 2022 Write on! Listen to autumn's song. We are living at the beginning of a new age, So raise your voices in praise and gratitude. Autumn has arrived And its good to be alive Raise your voice in praise |
Istijlál (Majesty), 5 ʻIzzat (Will) 179 B.E. - Thursday, September 15, 2022 On the third Thankful Thursday of September 2022, I am thankful ... ...for the merit badges I received between 9/9/22-9/15/22. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful late summer day. ...and for the orange I had for my breakfast today. |
Istijlál (Majesty), 1 ʻIzzat (Will) 179 B.E. - Thursday, September 8, 2022 Feast of ʻIzzat On the second Thankful Thursday in September 2022, I am thankful ... ...for the merit badges I received between 9/2/22-9/8/22. ...that "Through the Darkness" was featured in "Fantasy Newsletter (September 7, 2022)" . ...for fresh brewed hot coffee on the beautiful late summer morning. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the cinnamon roll and banana I had for my first breakfast. ...that I was able to extend my premium plus membership to May 15, 2024. ...for the $1.52 I have in my Survey Junkie account. |
Istijlál (Majesty), 11 Asmáʼ (Names) 179 B.E. - Thursday, September 1, 2022 On the first Thankful Thursday in September 2022, I am thankful ... ...for the merit badges I received between 8/26/22=9/1/22 |
Istijlál (Majesty), 5 Asmáʼ (Names) 179 B.E. - Thursday, August 25, 2022 ...that I was able to attend the Feast of Names through Zoom. ...for the Achievement Merit badge I received. ...that the man driving the RTC bus was able to help me get back into the house after returning from my blood draw on Tuesday. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful late summer day. ...that I was able to pay this month's Cox Communication's bill today. ...for the mini chocolate cup cakes I had to go with my coffee. ...that my Bank of America Checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for the oatmeal I had for breakfast. ...that my new modem arrived today. |
Istijlál (Majesty), 18 Kamál (Perfection) 179 B.E. - Thursday, August 18, 2022 It's the third Thankful Thursday on August 2022, and I am thankful for the merit badges I received between 8/12/22-8/18/22. |
Istijlál (Majesty), 11 Kamál (Perfection) 179 B.E. - Thursday, August 11, 2022 Coffee Gratitude O Lord, I give thanks for this morning's fresh brewed coffee and chocolate covered donuts. On the second Thankful Thursday in August 2022, I am thankful for the merit badges I received between 8/5/22-8/11/22. Facebook Status Update I don't walk alone, I walk with Baha'u'llah, through this weary world. When I pass from this world I will continue to walk with Baha'u'llah. Plans for September: (1) "I Write: Enter the Second Decade" , (2) "Blog Week Birthday Bastion" , and (3) "The Contest Challenge" . |
Istijlál (Majesty), 4 Kamál (Perfection) 179 B.E. - Thursday, August 4, 2022 On the first Thankful Thursday in August 2022 I am thankful ... ...that I received second place in "Journalistic Intentions" Round 9 (June 2022). ...for the merit badge I received ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this cloudy August morning. |
Kamál (Perfection), 1 Kamál (Perfection) 179 B.E. - Monday, August 1, 2022 Feast of Kamál Facebook Status Update Coffee to wake up Orange for Vitamin C Prayer of gratitude |
Istijlál (Majesty), 15 Kalimát (Words) 179 B.E. - Thursday, July 28, 2022 On the last Thankful Thursday in July 2022, I am thankful ... ...for the merit badges I received between 7/22/22-7/28/22 ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn. ...for black coffee on this beautiful summer morning. ...that the electricity came back on between midnight and 2:00 a.m. ...for a slice of apple pie to go with my morning coffee. |
Istijlál (Majesty), 9 Kalimát (Words) 179 B.E. - Thursday, July 21, 2022 On the third Thankful Thursday of July 2022, I am thankful ... ...for the merit badge I received between 7/15/22-7/21/22. ...that "Listening to Spiritual Music Before Going to Sleep" received first place in "Shadows and Light Poetry Contest" . ...for the awardcons I received between 7/15/22-7/21/22. ...that "Night of the Full Worm Moon" received 3rd Place in the February/March 2022 "The Whatever Contest -- Closed for Now" . ...for fresh brewed hot coffee on this beautiful summer morning. ...that "The Mystery of the Missing Spoons" was featured in "Comedy Newsletter (July 20, 2022)" . ...for the orange I had to go with my coffee this morning. ...that "I Blog Poetry and Prose" was featured in "Spiritual Newsletter (July 20, 2022)" . ...for a cold glass of milk on this hot summer day. |
Istij;ál (Majesty), 2 Kalimát (Words) 179 B.E. - Thursday, July 14, 2022 All Is Well With My Soul "When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrow like sea-billows roll; What ever my lot. Thou hast taught me to say, 'I is well, it is well with my soul.'" Horatio G. Stafford Gratitude is the attitude, that makes everything well with my soul That transforms the storms into calm, as I whisper a prayer of thanksgiving. I praise the Blessed Beauty for opening my eyes to the light of God's new day as it spreads across the earth. Gratitude List for the Second Thankful Thursday in 2022 Today I am thankful ... ...for the merit badge I receive on 7/10/22. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn. ...for fresh brewed hot coffee on this beautiful summer morning. ...that I have $5.01 in my PayPal account. ...for the chocolate frosted cookies I had with my coffee. ...that I have $1.85 in my Survey Junkie account. ...for the whole milk I had with my breakfast this morning. ...that I have $9.38 in my Inbox Dollars account. ...for a working air conditioner. |
Istijlál (Majesty) 13 Raḥmat (Mercy) 179 B.E. - Thursday, July 7, 2022 Facebook Status Update Happy Thankful Thursday! One of the things, I am thankful for is that I still have an internet connection. What are you Thankful for? I am grateful for summer and a working central air unit. I am grateful that I was able to get a Monday morning appointment to have my blood work done. |
Istijlál (Majesty) 7 Raḥmat (Mercy) 179 B.E. - Thursday, June 30, 2022 On the last Thankful Thursday in June 2022, I am thankful ... ...for the merit badges I received between 6/23/22-6/30/22 ...that I was able to transfer $7.03 from my Survey Junkies account to my PayPal account. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful summer morning. ...that "Irritating Sayings" was featured in "Contests & Activities Newsletter (June 29, 2022)" . ...for breakfast cup cake I have to go with my coffee. ...that we have a working air conditioner in this apartment. ...for the grapes I had for my breakfast this morning. ...that I have $20.85 in my PayPal account. |
Istijlál (Majesty) 12 Nur (Light) 179 B.E. - Thursday, June 16, 2022 Silence The interval between the axon's transmission and the dendrite's reception. The pause between the blue tinged sky and the sun's rising. The space between the characters of a word On the third Thankful Thursday of June 2022, I am thankful ... ...for the merit badges I received between 6/10/22-616/22. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn today. ...for fresh brewed black coffee on the beautiful summer morning. Istijlál (Majesty) 19 Nur (Light) 179 B.E. - Thursday, June 23, 2022 Facebook Status Update It's Thankful Thursday, I'm thankful for Baha'u'llah. What are you thankful for? On the fourth Thankful Thursday of June 2022, I am thankful ... ...for fresh brewed black coffee on this beautiful summer morning. ...that my bank of America checking account is not overdrawn. ...for the cherry pie and banana I had to go with my coffee this morning. ...that "Goodbye Yesterday!" won "The Writer's Cramp" contest for today. ...for afternoon naps. ...that I have 2,667,981 GPs in my Gift Points account. |
Istijlál (Majesty) 5 Nur (Light) 179 B.E. - Thursday, June 9, 2022 I am thankful ... ...that I was able to transfer $10.00 from my Inbox Dollars account to my PayPal account this week. ...for the awardcon I received on 6/6/22 ...that I received a merit badge on 6/6/22 ...for the fresh brewed coffee I had this morning. ...that I have $4.53 in my Survey Junkies account. ...for the mini cup cake I had to go with my coffee this morning. ...that I was able to finish two of the three poems I am working on this week. |
Istijlál (Justice) 17 ʻAẓamat (Grandeur) 179 B.E. - Thursday, June 2, 2022 On the first Thankful Thursday in June 2022, I pause to contemplate the items on my gratitude list. The merit badge I received on 5/29/22. |
Istijlál (Majesty) 10 ʻAẓamat (Grandeur) 179 B.E. - Thursday, May 26, 2022 I am thankful ... ...for the merit badge I received between 5/20/22-5/26/22 ...that I have $7.35 in my Inbox dollars account. ...for fresh brewed coffee on this beautiful spring morning. ...that I was able to transfer $5.30 from my Survey Junkie account to my PayPal account. ...for the mini muffin I had with my coffee. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn. |
Istijlál (Majesty) 3 ʻAẓamat (Grandeur) 179 B.E. - Thursday, May 19, 2022 I am thankful ... ...for the Merit badges received between 5/13/22-5/19/22 ...that I was able to get my hair cut today. |
Idál (Majesty) 7 Jamál (Beauty) 179 B.E. - Wednesday, May 4, 2022 Facebook Update Prayer by prayer I climb out of the pit of "I can't do anything right." Jalál (Glory) 17 Jamál (Beauty) 179 B.E. - Saturday, May 14, 2022 Facebook Update Happy Saturday Jalál the Day of Glory Have a good weekend |