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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. |
‘Idál (Justice), 3 Qudrat (Power) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, November 6, 2019 Morning Poem1 November morning A pigeon walks past my door: What's it looking for? Gratitude List for 3 Qudrat Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 2 Qudrat (Power) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, November 5, 2019 Gratitude List for 2 Qudrat Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Kamál (Perfection), 1 Qudrat (Power) 176 B.E. - Monday, November 4, 2019 Facebook Status Update I drink coffee! Therefore, I am awake, so that I can think. Gratitude List for 1 Qudrat Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Pivotal Event2 His appearance came at a critical time in human history. The Bab declared his mission, at a time when the veils of dogma concealed the lamps of religion and faith. He proclaimed a new day, heralded one greater than He, and emphasized unity. Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 19 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Sunday, November 3, 2019 The Day of the Lord3 This is the Day of the Lord, when God's Most Great Name reverberates across the firmament of religion and calls the lovers of God out of the tombs of self to proclaim a New Heaven and a New Earth. Gratitude List for 19 ‘Ilm Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 18 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Saturday, November 2, 2019 To Sleep4 To sleep! Perchance to rest, or at least dream of a good night's sleep. This is the elusive goal. Gratitude List for 18 ‘Ilm Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 17 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Friday, November 1, 2019 The Fragrance of Mercy5 When I read God's revealed Word, and meditate on the scriptures inscribed by the Bab, the fragrance of mercy wafts through my mind and across my soul. Gratitude List for 17 ‘Ilm Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 16 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Thursday, October 31, 2019 October6 Another cold October draws to an end, and I make another attempt to let go. It's the time of year when sad memories return, like a cold autumn wind, to make me wonder about what might have been. Gratitude List for 16 ‘Ilm Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 13 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Monday, October 28, 2019 Twin Birthdays7 The birthdays of The Bab and Baha'u'llah, celebrated consecutively proclaim the unity of humanity. Gratitude List for 13 ‘Ilm Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 12 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Sunday, October 27, 2019 A Cold Autumn Day8 On a cold autumn day when the wind chill factor freezes the marrow in your bones warmth is a bowl of hot soup. Gratitude List for 12 ‘Ilm Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 10 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Friday, October 25, 2019 Gratitude List for 10 ‘Ilm Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Jalál (Glory), 11 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Saturday, October 26, 2019 Gratitude List for 11 ‘Ilm Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Istijlál (Majesty), 9 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Thursday, October 24, 2019 I Need a Change of Scenery9 I need a change of scenery, a change of pace, something to get my creative juices flowing. Gratitude List for 9 ‘Ilm Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 7 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, October 22, 2019 Gratitude List for 7 ‘Ilm Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ‘Idál (Justice), 8 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, October 23, 2019 School is out for the Day10 School is out for the day, the neighborhood children are ready to play. They walk past my door laughing and talking happy to be home before sunset. Gratitude List for 8 ‘Ilm Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 5 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Sunday, October 20, 2019 Gratitude List for 5 ‘Ilm Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() Kamál (Perfection), 6 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Monday, October 21, 2019 It Must Be the Season11 It must be the season, memories of my Grandmother have returned bring tears to my eyes and making me crave pumpkin pies. Gratitude List for 6 ‘Ilm Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 4 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Saturday, October 19, 2019 To Know God12 The goal of my soul is to know and love God, but how can I, a creature of matter know that which is pure spirit. Knowledge of God comes to me and the rest of humanity through God' Manifestations who in this age are The Bab and Baha'u'llah. Gratitude List for 4 ‘Ilm Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 3 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Friday, October 18, 2019 God's New Day: To The Bab13 Darkness conspires to conceal the light of dawn behind the charcoal clouds of hate. Dawn comes its light turns the clouds scarlet and awakens the birds of morning. Gratitude List for 3 ‘Ilm Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 2 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Thursday, October 17, 2019 Meditation at Midnight14 In the silence of midnight, When there is only starlight, Illuminating the Earth, I look with my inner sight, To see if there is anything I have to put right. Gratitude List for 2 ‘Ilm Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
‘Idál (Justice), 1 ‘Ilm (knowledge) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, October 16, 2019 Feast of Knowledge What Will I Write?15 What will I write today? Will I write a poem or a rant? Will I write prose or an essay? My muse has gone AWL, left for part unknown, took a trip to another galaxy or perhaps another universe. I'll take a momentary break to say a prayer and see if my smartphone is completely charged. Hopefully, by the time I return my muse will have come home. Gratitude List for 1 ‘Ilm Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 19 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, October 15, 2019 Facebook Status Update I check the UPS website using the tracking number for my new phone. I is supposed to be delivered by 5:00 p.m. today. Gratitude List for 19 Mashíyyat Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Memories Return16 What is it about autumn that brings back memories of childhood joys and tears? Is it something in the air that causes me to miss those carefree days in Blackwell, Oklahoma, when to Sunday School or The Lake with Grandma and Grandpa? Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 18 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Monday, October 14, 2019 Autumn in Las Vegas17 The autumn chill in the air causes me to turn the heat on at night. I look out my window and see green leaves dancing in the autumn breeze. I miss Oklahoma and the changing shades of autumn leaves. Gratitude List for 18 Mashíyyat Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 17 Mashíyyat (Will) 176 B.E. - Sunday, October 13, 2019 Autumn Nights18 Nights are turning cold Its time to turn the heat on Take the chill of the room Gratitude List for 17 Mashíyyat Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |