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. |
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 ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 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 ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 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 ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 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 ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 11 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Monday, October 7, 2019 Gratitude List for 11 Mashíyyat Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 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 ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 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 ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Jamál (Beauty), 10 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Sunday, October 6, 2019 Gratitude List for 10 Mashíyyat Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 7 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Thursday, October 3, 2019 Gratitude List for 7 Mashíyyat Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 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 ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 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 ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 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 ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 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 ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 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 ... ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 1 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Friday, September 27, 2019 Gratitude List for 1 Mashíyyat Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() Jalál (Glory), 2 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Saturday, September 28, 2019 Gratitude List for 2 Mashíyyat Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
‘Idál (Justice), 18 ‘Izzat (Might) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, September 25, 2019 Gratitude List for 18 ‘Izzat Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Istijlál (Majesty), 19 Izzat (Might) 176 B.E. - Thursday, September 26, 2019 Gratitude List for 19 ‘Izzat Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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 ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 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 ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 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 ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 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 ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 13 ‘Izzat (Might) 176 B.E. - Thursday, September 19, 2019 Gratitude List for 13 ‘Izzat Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Istiqlál (Independence), 14 ‘Izzat (Might) 176 B.E. - Friday, September 20, 2019 Gratitude List for 14 ‘Izzat Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
‘Idál (Justice), 11 ‘Izzat (Might) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, September 18, 2019 Submitted to "Spiritual Newsletter (September 18, 2019)" ![]() Gratitude List for 11 ‘Izzat Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 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 ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 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 ... ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Jalál (Glory), 7 ‘Izzat (Might) 176 B.E. - Saturday, September 14, 2019 Gratitude List for 7 ‘Izzat Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 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 ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 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 ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 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 |