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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. |
Kamál (Perfection), 16 Raḥmat (Mercy) 175 B.E. - Monday, July 9, 2018 Martyrdom of the Báb O Thou Remnant of God! I have sacrificed myself wholly for Thee; I have accepted curses for Thy sake, and have yearned for naught but martyrdom in the path of Thy love. Sufficient witness unto me is God, the Exalted, the Protector, the Ancient of Days. O Qurratu’l-‘Ayn! The words Thou hast uttered in this momentous Call have grieved me bitterly. However, the irrevocable decision resteth with none but God and the decree proceedeth from none save Him alone. By my life, Thou art the Well-Beloved in the sight of God and His creation. Verily, there is no power except in God, and sufficient witness unto me is your Lord, Who is, in very truth, the Omnipotent Avenger. The Bab1 Today I commemorate the Martyrdom of The Bab, who proclaimed the dawn of peace and unity. Gratitude List for 16 Rahmat Today I am Thankful ... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
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Jamál (Beauty), 15 Raḥmat (Mercy) 175 B.E. - Sunday, July 8, 2018 "Is there any Remover of difficulties save God? Say: Praised be God! He is God! All are His servants, and all abide by His bidding!" The Báb2 This was the first prayer I memorized after becoming a Baha'i. I proclaimed my belief in Baha'u'llah in the last century. The first feast I attended was in November, right after I declared my faith. Gratitude List for 15 Rahmat Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 13 Raḥmat (Mercy) 175 B.E. - Friday, July 6, 2018 “Blessed is the spot, and the house, and the place, and the city, and the heart, and the mountain, and the refuge, and the cave, and the valley, and the land, and the sea, and the island, and the meadow where mention of God hath been made, and His praise glorified.” Bahá’u’lláh3 Gratitude4 Daily gratitude a prayer whispered at dawn: attitude of praise. Gratitude List for 13 Raḥmat 175 B.E. Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() Jalál (Glory), 14 Raḥmat (Mercy) 175 B.E. - Saturday, July 7, 2018 "God has created all in His image and likeness. Shall we manifest hatred for His creatures and servants? This would be contrary to the will of God and according to the will of Satan, by which we mean the natural inclinations of the lower nature. This lower nature in man is symbolized as Satan—the evil ego within us, not an evil personality outside." Gratitude List for 13 Raḥmat 175 B.E. Today I am thankful... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() I Pray7 I cry for you America, weep because of your illness of fear and hate. I pray for you America, I say healing prayers for your recovery Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 10 Raḥmat (Mercy) 175 B.E. - Tuesday, July 3, 2018 Cat's Cradle8 Mind and soul play together, with words on a looped theme. Alternately stretching rhyme and rhythm over the fingers of stanza and line. ‘Idál Justice), 11 Raḥmat (Mercy) 175 B.E. - Wednesday, July 4, 2018 Independence Day in the United States My response to "Spiritual Newsletter (July 4, 2018)" ![]() Celebration9 Fireworks decorate the night sky celebrating Independence Day. Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 8 Raḥmat (Mercy) 175 B.E. - Sunday, July 1, 2018 "Intone, O My servant, the verses of God that have been received by thee, as intoned by them who have drawn nigh unto Him, that the sweetness of thy melody may kindle thine own soul, and attract the hearts of all men. Whoso reciteth, in the privacy of his chamber, the verses revealed by God, the scattering angels of the Almighty shall scatter abroad the fragrance of the words uttered by his mouth, and shall cause the heart of every righteous man to throb. Though he may, at first, remain unaware of its effect, yet the virtue of the grace vouchsafed unto him must needs sooner or later exercise its influence upon his soul." Baha’u’llah10 Where do you find inspiration? This is the eternal question ask by all artist, no matter what their medium. The most common answer is everywhere, which really doesn't help when confronted with writer's block. One good place to find inspiration is in the sacred books of the various religions. If one follows a specific religion, the person can start with the sacred scriptures of that religion. If the person doesn't follow any specific religion, that individual can begin with any of the Holy Books. I found a list of those scriptures today, when I read "The Book of Celestial Inspiration"11 by David Langnass, which is the third article in the series " Read Something Sacred Everyday"12. *** Contest to Enter or Consider Entering in July ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() July13 July, a new Gregorian month, with thirty-one days to pray, to write, and to read the sacred scriptures. July, with triple digit temperatures, fireworks, and picnics to celebrate Independence Day in the United States. Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 7 Raḥmat (Mercy) 175 B.E. - Saturday, June 30, 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-Baha14 On this, the last day of June 2018, I contemplate the last six Gregorian months. I consider my accomplishments, and the time I've wasted. I don't think this year has been any more stressful than 2017, I know it's been less stressful than the years from 2012 to 2014. There was stress in 2015 and 2016, but it was less stressful than the years three years before. The only difference between this year and the years before, is that I've noticed how much time I'm wasting. The question I am asking myself is "Why do I waste time procrastinating?" I suspect the answer rests in my thought mode when I go to do something. I find myself procrastinating on stuff that, for some reason, causes stress, anxiety, or fear. I've done this all my life, so I suspect part of the issue is habit. I don't think that is the entire issues, because there was a reason I began procrastinating in the first place. I believe that reason goes back to my childhood or early teen years. Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 19 Núr Light 175 B.E. - Saturday, June 23,2018 “. . .the fundamental truth that all the Prophets are from One Essence and one in spirit. This is one of the greatest blessings the Faith has to offer to people—the knowledge of the unity of all religions.” Bahá’í Writings Sunday, June 24, is the monthly Devotional Service at the Baha'i Center in Las Vegas. The theme for that service is the unity of religion or the oneness of the Prophets. There is only one God, one Creator, whose essence is unknowable. Throughout the ages, the Almighty has sent messengers to reveal the Divine Essence to humanity. Since all these divine messengers were conduits for the Holy Spirit (the Primal Will of God) they are "one in spirit". This oneness of spirit means that all religions are based upon one foundation, which is love. God sent all these messengers because of love for humanity. |
Istiqlál (Independence), 18 Núr (Light) 175 B.E, - Friday, June 22, 2018 "The All-Knowing Physician hath His finger on the pulse of mankind. He perceiveth the disease, and prescribeth, in His unerring wisdom, the remedy. Every age hath its own problem, and every soul its particular aspiration. The remedy the world needeth in its present-day afflictions can never be the same as that which a subsequent age may require. Be anxiously concerned with the needs of the age ye live in, and center your deliberations on its exigencies and requirements." Bahá’u’lláh 15 The Age in Which I Live16 I contemplate the age in which I love; the need for love and unity, and respect for the planet. I weep, and I ask myself: "How do I contribute to the needs of the present day?" Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 17 Núr (Light) 175 B.E. - Thursday, June 21, 2018 "In the time of the First Manifestation the Primal Will appeared in Adam; in the day of Noah It became known in Noah; in the day of Abraham in Him; and so in the day of Moses; the day of Jesus; the day of Muhammad, the Apostle of God; the day of the ‘Point of the Bayan’; the day of Him Whom God shall make manifest; and the day of the One Who will appear after Him Whom God shall make manifest. Hence the inner meaning of the words uttered by the Apostle of God, ‘I am all the Prophets’, inasmuch as what shineth resplendent in each one of Them hath been and will ever remain the one and the same sun." One of my goals each week is to read articles in BahaiTeachings.org ![]() ![]() The working title for the poem is God's Religion. I planned to write nine stanzas, with seven of the stanzas titled Adam, Noah, Moses, Jesus, Mohammad, the Bab, and Baha'u'llah. The two stanzas I have written are the prelude and the epilogue. I am going to make a slight change to those two stanzas so that I can insert Holy Spirit and Primal Will. I want to emphasize that the Holy Spirit is the Primal Will of God. Below the first and last stanzas as they are now: It is the power of the spiritual to inspire through the Essence of Divinity humanity's reawakening. It is in the power of the spiritual to educate through the messengers from the Almighty the human soul. Gratitude List Today I am thankful... 1. ...that I received a merit badge from "Invalid Item" ![]() 2. ...for the Awardicon I received from "Invalid Item" ![]()
3. ...that we have a working air conditioner in this apartment. 4. ...for Arizona sweet tea to go with my lunch. 5. ...that that I was able to add poem to both "Poem Experiments" ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
‘Idál (Justice), 16 Núr (Light) 175 B.E. - Wednesday, June 20, 2018 It's Wednesday, June 20, I've accomplished a few things on my goals to do list. I finished a poem for week 45 of "Invalid Item" To Do On Thursday ![]() ![]() |
Kamál (Perfection), 14 Núr (Light) 175 B.E. - Monday, June 18, 2018 "The Blessed Perfection Bahá’u’lláh belonged to the royal family of Írán. From earliest childhood He was distinguished among His relatives and friends. They said: “This child has extraordinary power.” In wisdom, intelligence and as a source of new knowledge He was advanced beyond His age and superior to His surroundings. All who knew Him were astonished at his precocity. It was usual for them to say: “Such a child will not live,” for it is commonly believed that precocious children do not reach maturity." ‘Abdu’l-Baha19 The Blessed Beauty, the Beloved of my soul, a child prodigy. This morning, I was motivated to call the Fedloan about my student loan. Living on a fixed income is difficult enough without having to pay monthly loan payment that exceed my monthly income. They are mailing me some papers to fill out to get the payments either lowered or put off for a while. The lower payment might help, but it will make survival more difficult. I will survive. At least, I'm planning on living for a few more years. Facebook Status Update I am thankful for pumpkin pie, football games, tolerant friends, and loving family. I wrote that several years ago, around Thanksgiving. I discovered it when I went through hard copies of poems. I have no idea why I was thankful for football games. I don't watch them, unless I'm with someone who want to watch the games. The only thing I know about the game is that I'm supposed to cheer when one of the teams makes a goal. Therefore, when I watch a football game I cheer each time a goal is accomplished. It doesn't matter to me which team makes the goal. I cheer for the goal, not the team. I'm having two wills drawn up. One is a living will, and the other a regular will for when my soul and body separates. I'm talking to a lawyer tomorrow to see what I need for the wills. I was going to talk to her about the rent freeze I'm not getting this year; however, I think I'll just tell her to forget it that I've decided to sign a years lease. The rental on a years lease is $25.00 over what I'm paying now. It could make my financial situation worse. However, I'm sure that I can raise the extra #25.00, it would be more expensive to sign a six-month lease or pay month to month. Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 13 Núr (Light) 175 B.E. - Sunday, June 17, 2018 Father's Day "Show honour to your parents and pay homage to them. This will cause blessings to descend upon you from the clouds of the bounty of your Lord, the Exalted, the Great." Baha'i Holy Writings This is the second Father's Day blog entry I've written. The first was in "Melting Snow" Father's Day 201821 Happy Father's Day, Daddy. I miss you. I've missed you all my life. You ascended into heaven in 1998, I am sending my love to you by saying prayers for your soul. How can I show honor to my father? I can say a prayer for the advancement of his soul. Each time I pray I can end the prayer by asking God to forgive him. I can write about the memories I have of him. I'm sure that if I meditate on the subject, I can find other ways I can honor both my father and my mother. Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 12 Núr (Light) 175 B.E. - Saturday, June 16, 2018 Saturday Review of the Week of June 10-16, 2018 In yesterday's entry, "Getting Through the Day" Goals Accomplished This Week ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() I posted those on "Weekly Goals" ![]() Goals for the week of June 17-23, 2018 ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Pain22 The steed of the Valley of Love is chomping at the bit waiting for the rider to place a saddle on it. Poet's Note: ▼ Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 11 Núr (Light) 175 B.E. - Friday, June 15, 2018 It's Friday! The day that people who have regular 9-5 five day a week jobs look forward to, because they get two off to relax, rest, or party before going back to the regular job. To those of us who aren't part of the regular work force, for one reason or another, it's just another day attempting to make ends wave at each other. Many of us, probably an exaggeration, stopped worrying about them meeting sometime in the distant past. Today, I'm recovering from a set back; I'm coming out of a depression that caused me to procrastinate by playing solitaire online. Fortunately, it wasn't a deep dark black hole. I haven't encountered one of those, yet, this year. In fact, I haven't been eaten by one of those in a couple of years. Getting through the day23 I pause to say a prayer, listen to music: attempt to drive away the blues. Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 10 Núr (Light) 175 B.E. - Thursday, June 14, 2018 This is going to be an interesting exercise (not sure if that is the right word here) for two reason. First, I am feeling guilty about the "Preemptive Gratitude List", and I think the guilt has something to do with my childhood religious experiences. Second, I have not restricted this item to "Keep PRIVATE for my eyes only!" This is something I normally do when I am composing a blog entry. I will see how this goes today and decide tomorrow or next week how I want to continue composing blog entries. Gratitude List O Thou All-Glorious Lord, I give thanks for the blessing I have already receive. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() I think I will try something new, instead of waiting until Thursday to write down everything I can remember that I am thankful for. I will write one thing in my pen and paper journal each night, and list all seven in the next Thankful Thursday entry. I always have trouble listing ten different items each week, and sometimes I list the same things over and over for a month or two. Preemptive Gratitude List O Thou All-Glorious Lord, I give thanks for blessings I am about to receive. ![]() |
‘Idál (Justice), 9 Núr (Light) 175 B.E. - Wednesday, June 13, 2018 "Fire and paradise both bow down and prostrate themselves before God. That which is worthy of His Essence is to worship Him for His sake, without fear of fire, or hope of paradise." The Bab Worship God each day giving praise and gratitude for God's sake alone. Facebook Status Update My mind walked off today, it took a jaunt around the neighborhood, and across the world looking for inspiration. It found my muse watching lava descend into the Pacific Ocean. © Neva F. Darbe June 13, 2018 Poetry Critique24 Intertwined among the wander lines of interrupted reality Allusions indicating a bard's perspective Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 8 Núr (Light) 175 B.E. - Tuesday, June 12, 2018 "You will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Act 2:38 The Gift The gift of the Holy Spirit, inspires poets, encourages resilience, and engenders steadfastness in the path of faith. Soul Tracks25 The soul leaves traces: prehistoric paintings etched on the walls of caves, red ochre scattered in graves, rock art carved on the walls of desert canyons. The soul leaves traces: subtle essence to guide the open minded, the unsure, and the seeker after truth. The soul leaves traces: for the artist who has eyes to see, for the poet who has ears to hear, and the agnostic on the road to faith. }Poet's Note: ▼ Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 7 Núr (Light) 175 B.E. - Monday, June 11, 2018 "Due to humans’ dual spiritual and animal natures, both good or very good, or bad, or very bad, possibilities exist in humans. God is known through His attributes which are all light upon light; they are virtues like All-Merciful, All-Kind, All-Knowing etc. and not faults." Qur’an 51:5626 It's Monday, June 11, 2018, the Question of the Day posted in "Question of the Day!" ![]() I know that there are other articles on BahaiTeachings.org that discuss the subject of morality. Since I haven't yet read them, I'm ending this entry here. *** Sacraments29 I rise to greet the morning God's Most Great Name on my lips and His splendor lights the predawn darkness. His words, memorized from daily reading, flow through my mind confirming His shelter, His protection, and the glory of His presence. Poet's Note: ▼ Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 5 Núr (Light) 175 B.E. - Saturday, June 9, 2018 "Make me ready, in all circumstances, O my Lord, to serve Thee and to set myself towards the adored sanctuary of Thy Revelation and of Thy Beauty. If it be Thy pleasure, make me to grow as a tender herb in the meadows of Thy grace, that the gentle winds of Thy will may stir me up and bend me into conformity with Thy pleasure, in such wise that my movement and my stillness may be wholly directed by Thee." Baha’u’llah30 Reading the Prayers Revealed by Baha'u'llah31 I read the words of the Blessed Beauty, My spirit flies to the throne of God, Unity becomes a reality, And humanity becomes my family. *** Today's Accomplishments ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() *** Word of the Day From the Oxford Dictionaries acentric - "without a centre; not centralized"32 I receive a word each day from the Oxford Dictionaries. I learn a new word, which keeps my brain active. Other than that, I don't know how I'm going to use the words. Perhaps in a blog entry or a poem. A blog entry would be good, because I am participating in "The Bard's Hall Contest" ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 3 Núr (Light) 175 B.E. - Thursday, June 7, 2018 Gratitude List Today I am thankful... 1. ...that it took less than 45 minutes to turn my old tags in at the DMV. 2. ...that "If An Alien Spacecraft Landed" ![]() ![]() 3. ...that I received a merit badge for being #1 Review in May 2018. 4. ...that I have 2,136.301 GPs in my Gift Points account as of 3.25 P.M Eastern Daylight Tome today. 5. ...that there is an ADA bus, which will pick me up at the door of my home and drop me off in front of whatever business or place I want to go. 6. ...that my checking account is not overdrawn. 7. ...that Curiosity found the "building blocks" of life and detected methane on Mars. |