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 |  Gratitude breaks the spell of Writers Block |
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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. |
Kamál (Perfection), 17 Jamál (Beauty) 175 B.E. - Monday, May 14, 2018 "The man who makes a piece of notepaper to the best of his ability, conscientiously, concentrating all his forces on perfecting it, is giving praise to God. Briefly, all effort and exertion put forth by man from the fullness of his heart is worship, if it is prompted by the highest motives and the will to do service to humanity." ‘Abdu’l-Bahá1 Work is worship, so where do I begin today. I've already begun with the second bedroom, which isn't a bedroom but a storage or catchall room. I begin by straightening the objects on the bed. The next thing to do is to sort, hangup, or put some of the clothes away or in the laundry basket. Since I have difficulty standing for long periods of time without my walker, and the walker gets in the way of dong the work in the bedroom, I have to do it a little at a time. Today's Planned Writing Accomplished  "Melting Snow" "Light and Shadow"  "Snow Scribbles" "Geysers on Europa"  "Melting Snow" "Peace the Healing of Humanity" I decided to do this entry after I finished and posted "Light and Shadow" "Writing in Snow" "Motivational Monday: Work is Worship of God" At least four review. Unplanned writing.So far, it's been a good day. Usually I post a copy of a poem I wrote several years ago on my offsite blog; however, to day I wrote a new poem for today's entry. I have several poem I could have used, but I couldn't decide on the one I wanted, so I wrote a new poem. I copy the other poems in either "Poem Experiments" or "Devotional Poetry" .Work is Worship2 A prayer of praise A benefit to humanity A joyful experience Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 13 Jamál Beauty 175 B.E. - Sunday, May 13, 2018 "So it will come to pass that when women participate fully and equally in the affairs of the world, when they enter confidently and capably the great arena of laws and politics, war will cease." Abdu’l-Baha3 The world is slowing moving toward gender equality and world peace. This is a process that was set into motion when the Bab declared His mission in May of 1844. I speed increased in April of 1863 when Baha'u'llah declared His mission. In 1870, Julie Ward Howe suggested a "Mother's Day for Peace", which was briefly celebrated in 1873.4 I don't know why that celebration fizzled out, perhaps it wasn't yet time for women, for mothers, to arise and refuse to send their children off to war. Today gender equality is coming closer, women have more say in the affairs of government and policy making, and that their power is increasing. This means that World Peace is on the horizon. Mother's Day Poem: One Race5 Germinated In the womb of Africa Humanity sent shoots worldwide Facebook Status Update Call your mother, it's Mother's Day, if she has transcended stop and say a prayer for the departed. Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 15 Jamál (Beauty) 175 B.E. - Saturday, May 12, 2018 It's been a good week. I accomplished a number of things on my Goal List, and I procrastinated on a few things that I need to finish this weekend. I write several poems including "The Bab" Facebook Status Update A rose for Mama: Scarlet the color of love, Faith, and sacrifice. I have decided to change the About Me in my Biography. Right now the About Me reads: "My full name is Neva Florence Darbe and I was born in Blackwell, Oklahoma. I have two brothers and one sister. I was my mother's caregiver before she died on November 29, 2012." This gives a little information, but I don't think it gives enough. I'm changing it to the following: "I am a Baha'i, whose full name is Neva Florence Darbe. I was born in Blackwell, Oklahoma, and I have two brothers and one sister. I was my mother's caregiver before she died on November 29, 2012." Oneness of Humanity6 We are one family Our ancestral unity Mapped Traced Through mitochondrial DNA To a woman In Africa One womb quickened us Formed us Fed us Birthed us Gave us Soul stirring passions That carried us Through time and across continents Splintered us Into separate segments Of one race Poet's Note: ▼ Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 14 Jamál (Beauty) 175 B.E. - Friday, May 11, 2018 "Know thou of a truth that the soul, after its separation from the body, will continue to progress until it attaineth the presence of God, in a state and condition which neither the revolution of ages and centuries, nor the changes and chances of this world, can alter. It will endure as long as the Kingdom of God, His sovereignty, His dominion and power will endure. It will manifest the signs of God and His attributes, and will reveal His loving kindness and bounty. The movement of My Pen is stilled when it attempteth to befittingly describe the loftiness and glory of so exalted a station. The honor with which the Hand of Mercy will invest the soul is such as no tongue can adequately reveal, nor any other earthly agency describe." On November 29, 2012, my mother transcended into the Abha Kingdom. This Mother's Day, Sunday, May 13, 2018, will be my sixth Mother's Day without her. I miss her. I miss her smile. I miss going out with her to eat on Mother's Day. I miss hearing her chant the Most Great Name each morning. I still have her pink prayer beads and her rose decorated pill box on my desk. I thought about taking her prayer beads to the Baha'i Center and giving them to a new Baha'i, and I still may do that; I'm just not sure if I'm ready yet. I know Mom is continuing to her journey toward God. I know her soul is continuing to progress toward the Almighty. I still want to cry because I miss her so much; however, instead of crying I say a prayer for the progress of her soul. The Alzheimer's disease cause the last few months of her life to be difficult, for both of us. I didn't like seeing her sat and stare into space, or cry because she remembered something from her childhood that upset her. Sometimes she cried because she missed her parents; she didn't remember that they died years before we moved to Las Vegas. Now she is with them. Now soul is in the spiritual realm, and advancing toward God. Now she is happy. Her soul ascending, advancing toward the Almighty. The Poet Speaks9 In the twilight years of poetry when the word lovers weep for lack of rhymes, when street gestures and catacomb profanity hide unexpressed in the dictionaries of dead civilizations, when impoverished odes are painted on enslaved eyeballs, the poet speaks. The poet speaks vomiting stanzas across the pristine streets of ignorance, spreading the bacteria of knowledge through unthinking populations, and teaching the unaware how to ask questions. Poet's Note: ▼ Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 13 Jamál (Beauty) 175 B.E. - Thursday, May 10, 2018 "Reflect, O people, on the grace and blessings of your Lord, and yield Him thanks at eventide and dawn." Baha’u’llah10 The title of "Spiritual Newsletter (May 9, 2018)" How Have I Been Blessed? What am I thankful for? 1. This morning I wrote the poem "Thankful Thursday: Gratitude for Life" in "Melting Snow" .2. Internet access and the ability to pay for it. This morning this is especially important because of the clash between Israel, Syria, and Iran. I checked the location of the Golan Heights in relation to the location of the Baha'i Holy Place in Israel (they are located in the area around Mount Carmel, Haifa, and Akko). That gave me some relief; however, I'm still worried about my Baha'i brothers and sister in Syria and Iran. 3. The Baha'i prayer app on my smartphone, this lets me stop whatever I'm doing and say a prayer for the protection of my family in faith across the planet. Every morning and evening, I express by gratitude to God. Usually it just pausing a moment to whisper a prayer of thanks or to intone the Most Great Name. In the morning, I chant the Most Great Name, and this starts my day off right. If I oversleep, which I sometimes do, I wait until I'm alone in the house because I don't want any distractions when I intone God's name. How Have I Been Blessed? What am I thankful for? 4. The Baha'i sacred scripture which inspire both my blog entries and my poetry. This morning I wrote two poem about gratitude. One I have already mentioned, and the other I wrote and posted in "Snow Scribbles" . It is "Gratitude at Sunrise and Sunset" .5. Fish tacos! Today I had fish tacos for lunch, they were delicious. I love eating tacos, especially types I've never had before. I memory serves me right, this is the first time I've had fish tacos. I'm planning on having them again. 6. Coffee, which is something I put on my gratitude list every week. I usually take my coffee black, except when I want chocolate. At those time I put hot chocolate mix in my coffee. Do I keep a gratitude journal? I don't keep a daily gratitude journal any more, because when I did I usually listed the same ten things over and over. After experimenting with this type of journal, I decided on a Thankful Thursday Gratitude list. Making a gratitude list once a week gives me a chance to review the last six or seven days to see what stood out. I usually list ten items; however, today is a little different because I've already written two gratitude poems plus this entry. How Have I Been Blessed? What am I thankful for? 7. A working air conditioner and the ability to pay the power bill. This week we're expecting the first triple digit day in Las Vegas (we could have already had it). Air conditioning is important, but the issue is always paying the power bills. 8. The conversation about God, I had with the gentleman I ask to move off of my front stoop this morning. I know I'm going to get some type of story or poem out of that, after it percolates in my subconscious for a while. 9. Living in Las Vegas. This is one of the most intriguing, interesting, and (sometimes) weird cities in the United States. I meet the most interesting, unusual, funny, and (sometimes) frightening people around. Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 11 Jamál (Beauty) 175 B.E. - Tuesday, May 8, 2018 Catch-Up Day#1 This morning I decided to catch up on the entries in "Welcome to My Life" Poems Written Revelation "Revelation" "Transition" Rondine "Form of the week: Rondine" "Similes of Love" ‘Idál (Justice), 12 Jamál (Beauty) 175 B.E. - Wednesday, May 8, 2018 Catch-Up Day #2 I still have 5 items, whose links are stored in "The Snowflake Chronicles" , to review, and three poems to write. Before I do any of those I have to check this week's "To Do Goals" list in "Weekly Goals for 2024" to see if there is anything I have to complete this week. I know I have my edition of the fantasy newsletter to write; however, I think the only thing I have to do on it is finish the "Letter From the Editor", which I can do on Thursday or Friday. I have to submit that edition by Monday at 12:00 P.M. EDT. I'll submit it as soon as I get it written.So far this afternoon, I've reviewed three of the five items stored in "The Snowflake Chronicles" . I stopped so that I could write a poem for the 48-Hour Media challenge. I listened to the song, got an idea for a poem, and wrote it. I have to do this type of thing as soon as I get the idea, or the lines will slip my mind. I started the sonnet yesterday, with two lines. Now I have to write 12 more before its finished. I don't know if I'll finish it today or not, because I want to finish those other two review. I finished the reviews, now I can focus on the poems.Facebook Status Update Wednesday morning heat double digits and risging will it make triple digits today. Random Thoughts on Poetry11 Chocolate fibers; stanzas of white light; cantos of dark radiance rejuvenate the heart's yearning for poetic metaphors. Coffee poured into mugs of morning laughter, into cups of noonday desires, into memories of poetic similes. Poet's Note: ▼ Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 10 Jamál (Beauty) 175 B.E. - Monday, May 7, 2018 "It is not for him to pride himself who loveth his own country, but rather for him who loveth the whole world." Baha’u’llah,12 Despite the fact that I haven't visited any country outside of the United States of America, I still feel like a world citizen. I feel this way because anywhere I would go on the planet, I would find other Baha'is, members of my spiritual family. I may not ever leave the United States, but that is alright because here I can find people of every religious and nonreligious background who have found a spiritual home in the Baha'i Faith. When I first declared my belief in Baha'u'llah, I was somewhat shy about meeting people of different backgrounds. However, after praying and working on this issues I am dealing with it. I'm a citizen of Earth, I'm a citizen of the world, humanity my race. Facebook Status Update A friend of mine once told me, that the things she worried about never happen. The things that did happen were so far off the wall that she never worried about them. Good morning coffee look really hot today. Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 9 Jamál (Beauty) 175 B.E. - Sunday, May 6, 2018 "The difference between a Christian and a Baha’i, therefore, is this: There was a former springtime, and there is a springtime now. No other difference exists because the foundations are the same. Whoever acts completely in accordance with the teachings of Christ is a Baha’i. The purpose is the essential meaning of Christian, not the mere word. The purpose is the sun itself and not the dawning points. For though the sun is one sun, its dawning points are many. We must not adore the dawning points but worship the sun. We must adore the reality of religion and not blindly cling to the appellation Christianity. The Sun of Reality must be worshiped and followed. We must seek the fragrance of the rose from whatever bush it is blooming–whether oriental or western. Be seekers of light, no matter from which lantern it shines forth. Be not lovers of the lantern." Abdu’l-Baha13 Sometime in the last century, I changed religions. I became a Baha'i. When I became a Baha'i I didn't have to give up my belief in Christ because both Christ and Baha'u'llah are mirrors reflecting the attributes of God. Both were recipients of the Holy Spirit. Both reveled the Unknowable Essence of the Almighty Creator to humanity. Christ came at a time when the world was in darkness, and when Baha'u'llah came the world had descended into the darkness of hate and prejudice. The inner teachings of both Christ and Baha'u'llah are identical, the only difference is the maturity of the human race. When Christ came, humanity was still immature. His Holiness Christ focused His teaching on the understanding of the human race at that time. However, today humanity is moving from adolescence into adulthood. Therefore Baha'u'llah's revelation, teachings, is focused on a mature humanity. This is a glorious age when world peace and unity will arrive. Baha'u'llah's teachings are focused toward the maturity of the human species. It is spring again, the divine springtime has returned Christ, the Anointed One, has returned in the Glory of the Father, The Glory of God, Baha'u'llah. Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 8 Jamál (Beauty) 175 B.E. - Saturday, May 5, 2018 "Those who endure with patience will be rewarded without measure." Al Qur'an 39:10 Patience, I have found, is a test of the spirit. It is necessary for the seeker in search of the beloved. It is necessary for the soul, as it travels across the physical plane in partnership with the body. It is necessary for the believer who want to proclaim God's names to humanity. Do I have patience? Is the question that reverberates through my mind. I used to think I had patience, and in some cases I still do. However, with myself, and my own weaknesses, I'm sometimes very impatient. The only thing I can do in this case is continue to pray by using the prayers revealed by Baha'u'llah, the Bab, and 'Abdu'l-Baha. Facebook Status Updates It's Saturday, it's the first weekend in May, it's a glorious day, with the first triple digits of 2018 on their way to the Las Vegas valley. It's Jalál, it's the Day of Glory. it's a good day to proclaim the Blessed Beauty's name: Baha'u'llah, the Glory of God. Poet's Note: ▼ A Sound Like Fire14 A sound like fire Roars through grottoes in poets' souls Flares into words of flame and light That ignite poets' tongues. Poet's Note: ▼ Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 7 Jamál (Beauty) 175 B.E. - Friday, May 4, 2018 Prayer for Independence "O my God, my Lord and my Master! I have detached myself from my kindred and have sought through Thee to become independent of all that dwell on earth and ever ready to receive that which is praiseworthy in Thy sight. Bestow on me such good as will make me independent of aught else but Thee, and grant me an ampler share of Thy boundless favors. Verily, Thou art the Lord of grace abounding." The Bab15 Thoughts on Independence To be independent of everything except God is the goal of the soul. Independence of all save God is sometimes difficult, especially for someone who is living on a fixed income, and has to depend on the "kindness of strangers". This does not make independence of everything except God impossible, because when I put my worries in the hands of the Almighty, I can move forward without any more worry. I know that the answer to any financial needs will be solved because I will be guided to find a way to receive help with the electric bill or any other unusual expanse. When I have an issue with finances I pray, I meditate, and I follow my intuition. I also have to do it immediately without procrastinating; it is procrastination that usually cause problems. Facebook Status Update May the Fourth be with you! I've managed four reviews so far today. I hope to get more done, but right now I have to back off on the reviews for a while and work on something else. I have a poem or essay to finish about coral reefs, two poems toe write for "~ The Poet's Place Cafe~" , a sonnet, and a short story to write. I'll work on one of those or do some surveys. I'll also pause to say some prayers, which usually refreshes me enough to continue working on something. I accomplished 12 reviews yesterday, and was planning to do between 7 to 9 today.The Soul16 After the mirror shatters, the light continues to shine in the worlds of God. Poet's Note: ▼ Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 6 Jamál (Beauty) 175 B.E. - Thursday, May 3, 2018 Soul and Body "The soul of man is the sun by which his body is illumined, and from which it draweth its sustenance, and should be so regarded." Baha’u’llah1718 Thankful Thursday Gratitude List I am thankful that I received my SNAP allotment today because it will get us food and meat for a week or two, which will help. I am thankful that my Bank of America Checking account is not overdrawn, and this is a miracle because of the financial situation we are in. I am thankful that I called the people who have my student loan and started the process of an Income Driven Repayment plan. The paper work will arrive sometime next week. I am thankful that I did not have to transfer any money from my savings account to my checking account in April. I am thankful that it was cool enough today to leave the front door open. I enjoyed writing while listening to the sounds of the neighborhood and the singing of the birds. I am thankful that I have 3,681,979 GPs in my Gift Points account. I need only 517,521 GPs to purchase a 12-month premium plus membership. I am thankful for the blogs that have quotes from the sacred writings online, because I can read a short verse and either meditate on it or write a poem about it.  I am thankful for BahaiTeachings.org19, because I can find articles there that give me a deeper understanding of the Baha'i Faith and the sacred writings. I am thankful for e*lix*ir journal20, because I can find spiritual poetry and inspiring articles about art. I am thankful for chocolate because it tastes good and helps me sleep.Meditation on Star Formation21 Love grows in the heart of darkness, acquiring photon by photon faith's luminous desire. Poet's Note: ▼ Footnotes |
‘Idál Justice), 5 Jamál (Beauty) 175 B.E. - Wednesday, May 2, 2018 The Twelfth Day of Ridvan Truth is Truth: Science and Religion Must Agree "Religion and Science are inter-twined with each other and cannot be separated. These are the two wings with which humanity must fly. One wing is not enough. Every religion which does not concern itself with Science is mere tradition, and that is not the essential. Therefore science, education and civilization are most important necessities for the full religious life." Bahá’í Writings One of the turning points in my life was when I declared my faith in Baha'u'llah, and signed my enrollment card. It was a joyful and transforming occasion. That decision is still transforming me, as I slowly workout issues that were caused by other turning points in my life, the superstitions or traditions I was taught as a child, and the misinformation I learned in young adulthood. ASSIGNMENT: Make a list of 10 turning points in your life. Include both highs and lows. Contemplate what you have learned from each turning point. Draw upon your experience to express one of those truths in a poem. By “truth” I mean emotional truth, not factual truth. Feel free to alter the facts or invent entirely new ones that convey a singular idea to the reader without getting over sentimental.  Belief in Baha'u'llah. Two dreams I had when I was younger, and living in Blackwell, Oklahoma. Abuse by J.S. Daughter I conceived with G.N. Being in the hospital room when Grandpa Frank died. Attempting to talk to my sister about abuse we both suffered at the hands of J.S. Becoming my mother's caregiver. My parents' divorce. Learning online of my father's death. My mother's death.Facebook Status Update Beautiful Wednesday Sweet cheese strudel coffee cake Hot cup of coffee The Power Within23 Fear makes a tight knot in my belly Helpless I cower within my self-made prison Unable to overcome my own weaknesses I'm not alone I'm created in God's image the power to overcome is within Each of God's Manifestations Have given the same advice In different words Each has come to help humanity evolve To help us step beyond our prisons of self To overcome our own weaknesses To find the Power of God That lies within the human soul Within each human being God has placed His image Within each of us The Almighty ha place The power to overcome our own fears The voices of God's Chosen Ones Echo down the corridors of history Repeating each in his own language Look within Know yourself Look not at your own weaknesses Place your complete trust in God You can overcome I feel the knot loosening Hear the prison doors opening See the chains falling Poet's Note: ▼ Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 4 Jamál (Beauty) 175 B.E. - Tuesday, May 1, 2018 The first principle of Bahá'u'lláh is: The Search for Truth "All the peoples have a fundamental belief in common. Being one, truth cannot be divided, and the differences that appear to exist among the nations only result from their attachment to prejudice. If only men would search out truth, they would find themselves united." Bahá’í Writings In searching for truth a consumer must learn to judge the quality of the news. It' Tuesday, May 1, I misjudged paperwork I needed to fill out; therefore, I will not have SNAP benefits this month. I'm sure we can survive. I've place everything in Baha'u'llah's hands, and I know that we'll have enough food. Sometimes I tend to worry, even when I place things in the Hands of God or of Baha'u'llah. My biggest trial this month (I think) will be leaving the situation up the the Lord. For the next few days, I have to focus on reviewing and earning enough GPs for a 12-month premium plus membership. As of right now, I have 3,574,554 GPs, and I need to earn 624,946 GPs by May 15. I can do it, if I focus on reviewing. I have some writing items to work on, but I can do those without attempting anything extra. Facebook status Update Thunder and lightning, The rain was gentle and cool: What does May rain bring? |
Kamál (Perfection), 3 Jamál (Beauty) 175 B.E. - Monday, April 30, 2018 "This is the day the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalms 118:24 This and everyday is "the day the Lord has made", which should be motivation enough to get out of bed. This morning started off very good. I read the Long Healing Prayer, the Fire Table, a prayer for protection, and the Teaching prayer for the Western States the first thing. After getting up, and getting ready for my day, I chanted the Most Great Name, and read another prayer. That may seem like a lot of prayer; however, sometimes my mind tends to wander. When I read the prayer revealed by Baha'u'llah, the Bab, or 'Abdu'l-Baha it is easier to focus on writing or anything else I want or need to do. Last night, about 9:10 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time (12:10 A.M. writing.com time), I posted this week's goals on "Weekly Goals" . When I posted them, I didn't consider that today is the end of NaPoWriMo, and posted some of the goals I focus on during April. That's alright because one of the goals refers to a list of items I have to work on or finish. I can do more than one item on that list when I finish the April goals to today. In May I'm participating in "Invalid Item" , and considering responding to "30-Day Blogging Challenge ON HIATUS" prompts. In addition, I have one blog entry with some dream symbols in I need to explain. I will make another entry in "Melting Snow" concerning the symbols in "A Transformative Experience" . I, also, have to finish a poem I started in "Hate, Fear, and Bad Behavior Plus Peace Rose" .Facebook Status Update Cool cloudy morning Wind blowing through the trees Neighbors walking past So far, it's been a good motivational Monday. I finished the "Dew Drop Inn" and NaPoWriMo challenges, as well as, enter a poem In "The Daily Poem" . In addition, I completed four review for the Read & Review goal. I still need to post a poem on Poet 999 - A Butterfly Emerges from Her Cocoon, which I will do sometime today before finishing this entry. Other writing I have to do concerns the Week 39 entry for "Invalid Item" and the "Invalid Item" response.Together our spell bound hearts ascend above the battle field in unity. Poet's Note: ▼ Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 2 Jamál (Beauty) 175 B.E. - Sunday, April 29, 2018 Ninth Day of Ridvan On this day in 1863, the spring flood of the Tigris River receded enough so that Baha'u'llah's family, along with some other believers, were able to join Him in the Garden of Ridvan. In remembrance of this event, today we celebrate the unity of the family of humanity. The human race is a single species, a single family, with physical difference that make it beautiful. Baha'u'llah, the Glory of God, came to unite humanity. He suffered exile and imprisonment for the salvation of the entire human race. Ninth Day of Ridvan Celebrating unity Family of humanity I completed the essay for "Invalid Item" Week 38 today. "Liechtenstein" is an essay of 500+ words about the nation. It's finished. It's alright. I don't know if I'm satisfied with it or not. Since it's finished I don't need to worry about being satisfied with it, unless I decide to edit or rewrite it. I still have a novel to edit or rewrite. I'm not satisfied with the novel, because I'm not sure I enjoy writing novels any more. I think I would rather write poems. That doesn't mean I can't or shouldn't rewrite the novel.Facebook Status Update Coffee for my soul Intoning prayers at dawn A new day begins I just did a search for The Maldives and Baha'is in The Maldives, I think I have enough to begin a poem, essay, or an activity for this subject on Monday. I usually don't receive the information about the the country for "Invalid Item" challenge until Monday, but it was posted today. I will think and pray about the approach I'm taking, and on Monday, April 30, I'll begin a document. Today, I have to write a poem for NaPoWriMo before 12:00 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time.Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 1 Jamál (Beauty) 175 B.E. - Saturday, April 28, 2018 "Armed with the power of Thy name nothing can ever hurt me, and with Thy love in my heart all the world’s afflictions can in no wise alarm me." Bahá’u’lláh27 It's been a long and productive day. I still have a couple of things on this week's to do list, which will may not be finished today. I know one of them will go into the middle next week, until I can think of a start for it to night. The other I will finish on Sunday. I may cut down on the amount of stuff I put on the list next week, all though could change my mind on that when Monday rolls around. Facebook Status Update Morning hot coffee And chocolate chip cookies First breakfast today Rebirth28 Resurrected from Brown stubble green shoots ascend Out of the rich earth Poet's Note: ▼ Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 19 Jalál (Glory) 147 B.E. - Friday, April 27, 2018 "We have created you from one tree and have caused you to be as the leaves and fruit of the same tree, that haply ye may become a source of comfort to one another. Regard ye not others save as ye regard your own selves, that no feeling of aversion may prevail amongst you." The Bab29 When I read the news reports (usually online) I get stressed because they show humanity so fragmented and hostile toward other groups. However, when I read the scriptures reveal by The Bab or Baha'u'llah, I am refreshed and inspired to work and pray for the unity of humanity. I know that eventually humankind will realizes their brotherhood and sisterhood. We are going through a stressful time because of the disunity and the world is going toward unity. Both the Bab and Baha'u'llah stressed the oneness of the humanity. In the above passage, the Bab unites the unity or oneness of the human race with the golden rule. The Bab was an independent Manifestation of God and the forerunner of Baha'u'llah. The Bab referred to Baha'u'llah as "Him Whom God Will Make Manifest". Baha'u'llah learned of His mission when He was a prisoner in the Black Pit, and He declared in mission in a Baghdad in 1863. It is Baha'u'llah's Declaration that Baha'is, across the world, celebrate during the Twelve Days of Ridvan. Planning the weekend Focus on reviewing and Writing poetry A New Creation30 Recreated through the power of God. Humanity walks naked through creation's fire, Emerging a new race - reborn from the ashes of the old. Paradise echoes with a new song; The Universe, compressed into its primordial atom, explodes into a new existence. Purged of the maladies of matter, We rise to meet our Lord in the air; We stand holding a new name written upon a white stone. Poet's Note: ▼ Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 18 Jalál Glory 175 B.E. - Thursday, April 26, 2018 There are four more days left in National Poetry Writing Month. I have managed to write over 52 poems, but I don't know if that is a record. I have, at least, 8 more to write before the end of April. Fortunately, I have come up with theme for those I don't have prompt for inspiration. I don't think I'll have much of a problem coming up with poems for the next four day, because there are some poems that I have committed to write for "Invalid Item" Rude Awakening31 The shock of sudden consciousness clouds my last dream. Illusions are meant to be dispelled, but not so suddenly. Poet's Note: ▼ My premium plus membership is up on May 15, and I have 3,433,740 GPs as of 6:31 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time. I still need 765,760 GPs to purchase a 12-month membership. I'm doing a lot of reviewing, usually using Read & Review. I hope I can build up enough GPs to purchase a 12-month premium plus; however, I may only be able to purchase 6-month and continue reviewing until I can extend it. Footnotes |
‘Idál (Justice), 17 Jalál (Glory) 175 B.E. - Wednesday, April 25, 2018 "O my God! O my God! Unite the hearts of Thy servants, and reveal to them Thy great purpose. May they follow Thy commandments and abide in Thy law. Help them, O God, in their endeavor, and grant them strength to serve Thee. O God! Leave them not to themselves, but guide their steps by the light of Thy knowledge, and cheer their hearts by Thy love. Verily, Thou art their Helper and their Lord." Bahá’u’lláh32 Every day I post the links to either one or two blog entries on Facebook. This morning I posted a link to "Midweek Reflections on Music" in "Melting Snow" and today's entry in "Poet999 - A Butterfly Emerges From Her Cocoon"33. While I was on Facebook, there was an add for a 21-Day prayer course. I clicked the ad to find out about it, and discovered that there were three types of prayer courses which cost from $10 to $20 or $30. I decided not to take any of the courses because I already have access to prayers revealed by The Bab, Baha'u'llah, and 'Abdu'l-Baha. The Baha'i prayers cover every contingency.The prayers revealed by the Central Figures of the Baha'i Faith show me how to pray. I say my prayers at least three times a day, sometimes more because I have memorized several prayer for assistance with tests, healing, and gratitude. When I want to say prayers I have not, yet, memorized I can either access them through an app on my smartphone, find them in my prayer book, or go on line. Companion Poems34 Reading the Word of God in Bed My mind hungry for reality consumes the sacred words My eyelids heavy with meditation fight to remain open My mind thirsty for the water of life drinks long and deep My eyelids surrender to sleep Reading Poetry in Bed My mind sated with verse falls into a contemplative stupor My eyelids closes pupils focus on the interplay of light and shadow Words unassociated with the odes I just read jolt my mind awake My eyelids open pupils focus on the interplay of meter and rhyme Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 16 Jalál (Glory) 175 B.E. - Tuesday, April 24, 2018 Poetry and Spirituality35 Poetry and spirituality is a circumglobal experience that simultaneously embraces sacred passions and worldly wisdom; tranformative monologues and prayer; religious history and the Mystery. Words burn through the veil that separates God's names into religions and sects; words forge transcendent links that unify concepts of divinity; words merge to forms astonishing readable translations of reality. Poet's Note: ▼ Footnotes |
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