![]() |
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. |
Fiḍál (Grace), 7 Kamál (Perfection) 175 B.E. - Tuesday, August 7, 2018 Butterfly1 My soul is a butterfly in the cocoon of matter being transformed by the grace and test of the Almighty. Gratitude List for 7 Kamál Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 6 Kamál (Perfection) 175 B.E. - Monday, August 6, 2018 Gratitude List for 6 Kamál Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Jamál (Beauty), 5 Kamál (Perfection) 175 B.E. - Sunday, August 5, 2018 "O Dwellers of My Paradise! With the hands of loving-kindness I have planted in the holy garden of paradise the young tree of your love and friendship, and have watered it with the goodly showers of My tender grace; now that the hour of its fruiting is come, strive that it may be protected, and be not consumed with the flame of desire and passion." Bahá’u’lláh2 Happy Friendship Day3 Happy Friendship Day to all my neighbors across across the Earth and the Universe. Gratitude List for 5 Kamál Today I am thankful for... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Istiqlál ( Independence), 3 Kamál (Perfection) 175 - Friday, August 3, 2018 Gratitude List for 3 Kamál Today I am thankful... ![]() Jalál (Glory), 4 Kamál (Perfection) 175 B.E. - Saturday, August 4, 2018 August4 August a month of joyful memories Urging me to pay again in cool pools, Gust of hot summer winds Urge my aging body to stay indoors and Sip iced tea from tall cold glasses Thoughts of my child hood return: Making me smile. Gratitude List for 4 Kamál Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 2 Kamál (Perfection) 175 B.E. - Thursday, July 2, 2018 Gratitude List for 2 Kamál Today I am Thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Facebook status update Beautiful morning, a dough-nut and coffee I'm feeling better |
Jalál (Glory), 16 Kalimát (Words) 175 B.E. - Saturday, July 28, 2018 City Living5 It is the city's incessant pulsating chant, the unremitting rise and fall of decibels, and the continuous throbbing of tones that lacerates the curtains of sleep, penetrates the minds deep canyons, and aggravates the soul's anxiety. Even in the bright midnight, when pools of darkness congeal at intersections and parking lots an endless hum stabs at vibrating eardrums. Gratitude List for 16 Kalimát Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Facebook Status Update This afternoon I made a health decision. I deleted CNN and the Huffington Post from my web favorites. I did this because every time I read a story, it raised my blood pressure. I still have The Guardian and several local news channels on my web favorites. I will, probably, keep the Guardian. However, I will delete at least one of the local channels. I will do this when I decide which of the local news channels is my favorite. Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 15 Kalimát (Words) 175 B.E. - Friday, July 27, 2018 "There are two kinds of music, divine and earthly music. Divine music exhilarates the spirit, while earthly music has an effect upon the body. Divine music belongs to the Kingdom of God, earthly music is of the mundane world. I hope you will be confirmed to study both kinds of music so that you may be able to sing the anthems of heaven and the songs of this world." Abdul-Baha6 I had an interesting experience with Indian flute music today. I listened to a hour of meditation music and wrote a poem for "Melting Snow" ![]() ![]() Gratitude List for 15 Kalimát Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
‘Idál (Justice), 13 Kalimát (Words) 175 B.E. - Wednesday, July 25, 2018 The Nightingales Calls7 The nightingale calls, Out of the darkness that hides the dawn, His melody echoes across the valley of shadows, Waking from sleep the lovers of light. The nightingale calls, Out of the light that veils the dawn, His song echoes across the chaos of morning, Rousing from slumber lovers of God. Gratitude List for 13 Kalimát Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Istijlál (Majesty), 14 Kalimát (Words) 175 B.E. - Thursday, July 26, 2018 Thursday Poem8 I don't want to watch world news today, I just want to write and pray. I might write a poem, story, or essay about something positive I have to say. I will take a walk in the house, because the excessive heat warning prevents me from going out. Gratitude List for 14 Kalimát Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Facebook Status Updates Happy Thankful Thursday! I am focused on the moment, doing one project or one review at a time. I am focused today on the present without worry about the future or the past. Tomorrow may be different, but for today I am focused; which is all that is necessary. Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 12 Kalimát (Words) 175 B.E. - Tuesday, July 24, 2018 It's been a long day. Early this morning, I went for a blood draw. After I returned home, I ate breakfast, and, later, we went to the bank to cash a check. I finally came home, eat lunch. I got online, checked my Bank of America account, wrote blog entries, read an article on BahaiTeachings.or, responded to a review request, and cleaned out my WDC inbox. I still have work to do in some of the inbox folders, which I been putting off cleaning out for a while. Before I do any more reviews or write something, I'm going to eat dinner. Gratitude List for 12 Kalimát Today I am Thankful for... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Facebook Status Update This morning I went to my kidney doctor's office for a blood draw. I took a Lyft and came home on one. This afternoon I decided to use some of the money, I'm no longer spending for car insurance to purchase new prescription lens and glasses. I also may take some of it and purchase a new coffee maker, because I've been making coffee by boiling the coffee grounds in a sauce pan on the stove. |
Kamál (Perfection), 11 Kalimát (Words) 175 B.E. - Monday, July 23, 2018 Gratitude list for 11 Kalimát Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Istiqlál ( Independence), 8 Kalimát (Words) 175 B.E. - Friday, July 20, 2018 Gratitude List for 8 Kalimát Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Jalál (Glory), 9 Kalimát (Words) 175 B.E. - Saturday, July 21, 2018 Gratitude List for 9 Kalimát Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Jamál (Beauty), 10 Kalimát (Words) 175 B.E. - Sunday, July 22, 2018 Facebook Status Update Good morning, may your days be full of beauty, and your week full of joy. I just returned from the Devotional meeting at the Baha'i Centre in Las Vegas. I could feel the Holy Spirit flowing through the center. While I was there I purchased Prayers from the Bab. Gratitude List for 10 Kalimát Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Istijlál (Majesty), 7 Kalimát (Words) 175 B.E. - Thursday, July 19, 2018 "Having created the world and all that liveth and moveth therein, He, through the direct operation of His unconstrained and sovereign Will, chose to confer upon man the unique distinction and capacity to know Him and to love Him—a capacity that must needs be regarded as the generating impulse and the primary purpose underlying the whole of creation …. Upon the inmost reality of each and every created thing He hath shed the light of one of His names, and made it a recipient of the glory of one of His attributes. Upon the reality of man, however, He hath focused the radiance of all of His names and attributes, and made it a mirror of His own Self. Alone of all created things man hath been singled out for so great a favor, so enduring a bounty." Baha’u’llah9 Gifts of the Spirit10 Created to reflect all the divine attributes we must strive to polish the mirrors of our souls. Gratitude List for 7 Kalimát Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
‘Idál (Justice), 6 Kalimát (Words) 175 B.E. - Wednesday, July 18, 2018 "O Thou the Merciful One! O my Lord! Make Thy protection my armor, Thy preservation my shield, humbleness before the door of Thy oneness my guard, and Thy custody and defense my fortress and my abode. Preserve me from the suggestions of self and desire, and guard me from every sickness, trial, difficulty and ordeal." Abdu’l-Baha11 Protection12 Each day I don the armor of God through prayer, contemplative meditation, and study of the sacred scriptures. Gratitude List for 6 Kalimát Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 5 Kalimát (Words) 175 B.E. - Tuesday, July 17, 2018 I don't know what's going on with me, but I can't seem to get as much accomplished in the day. It could be that I've been dealing with depression. It seems to strike about the time I have my coffee and first breakfast. I usually eat a pastry of some type, however, the past few days I've been eating breakfast muffins. I suppose it could be the sugar or something in the muffins. It could also be that my morning routine has changed slightly over the past week or so. Gratitude List for 5 Kalimát Today I am thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Jamál (Beauty), 3 Kalimát (Words) 175 B.E. - Sunday, July 15, 2018 "The reality of man is his thought, not his material body. The thought force and the animal force are partners. Although man is part of the animal creation, he possesses a power of thought superior to all other created beings." Abdu’l-Baha13 Lately, my thoughts have fallen back into an old and negative thought pattern. As a result, my imagination has followed suit, which has sent me into a depression that gets darker and causes me to feel helpless. The feeling of helplessness causes me to procrastinate because I feel I can't make a difference. At this point, I suspect the thought pattern is a habit, which I thought I had broken. When I first attempted to break this habit, I used prayer, memorizing the sacred scriptures, and writing. What I haven't been doing lately, is focusing on memorizing the sacred scriptures. Therefore, I will go back to attempting to memorize The Hidden Words. Gratitude List for 3 Kalimát Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Kamál (Perfection), 4 Kalimát (Words) 175 B.E. - Monday, July 15, 2018 Gratitude List for 3 Kalimát Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 2 Kalimát (Words) 175 B.E. - Saturday, July 14, 2018 Summer: A Poem14 Las Vegas summer Triple digit temperatures Sometimes clouds and rain. Gratitude List for 2 Kalimát Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 1 Kalimát (Words) 175 B.E. - Friday, July 13, 2018 Feast of Kalimát Gratitude List for 1 Kalimát Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() I've completed all but two things on this week's Goals To Do List. I completed the first six items before posting on "Weekly Goals" ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Istijlál (Majesty), 19 Raḥmat (Mercy) 175 B.E. - Thursday, July 12, 2018 I finished "Breaking Down My Day" ![]() Since I have no car, I have to call the RCT ADA bus or my health insurance ride to take me to the doctor and for blood work. I call Dr. Lim's office (kidney specialist) to get them to mail me the papers for the blood work this week so I can get it done after July 18. Next I called Dr. Falona's office to have them fax/e-mail the prescription for Alendronate to the pharmacy. I still have to call the health insurance ride service for two doctors and a blood work appointment. That will use up six of the eight rides I have left for this year. Gratitude List for 18 Rahmat Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() A couple of nights ago I finished reading The Summons of the Lord of Host. Wednesday night, I begin reading The Sufferings of Baha'u'llah, which is a compilation of the scriptures, from Baha'u'llah's own pen, about the horrendous difficulties and imprisonment he experienced during the forty years of His revelation. The book contains only about 50 pages. However, the scriptures in it are deep and require some meditation. I have to admit that sometimes during the meditation I fall asleep. The Suffering of Baha'u'llah is divided into five chapters: (1) The Wronged One of the World, (2) The Source of His Sorrows, (3) Submission of the Manifestation of God to Trials, (4) Thanking God for Tribulations, and (5) The Purpose of His Sufferings. |
‘Idál (Justice), 18 Raḥmat (Mercy) 175 B.E. - Wednesday, July 11, 2018 Gratitude List for 18 Rahmat. Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() I sent this comment to "Short Stories Newsletter (July 11, 2018)" ![]() It's been a good day. I read three of the newsletters, wrote a poem for the 48-hour challenge, reviewed some stories, and read a article on BahaiTeachings.org, I did some surveys, and I wrote a couple of paragraphs for the spiritual newsletter I'm editing for next week. I also wasted some time playing solitaire, and this means I'll have to fight the urge to play solitaire for the rest of the week. I sent this to "Comedy Newsletter (July 11, 2018)" ![]() |
Fiḍál (Grace), 17 Raḥmat (Mercy) 175 B.E. - Tuesday, July 10, 2018 "Now is the time for the lovers of God to raise high the banners of unity, to intone, in the assemblages of the world, the verses of friendship and love and to demonstrate to all that the grace of God is one." ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá Banners of Unity15 The banners of unity unfurl proclaiming the oneness of God, the common foundation of religion, and the oneness of humanity. Gratitude List for 17 Rahmat Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |