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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. |
Jamál Beauty), 14 Jalál (Glory) 175 B.E. - Sunday, April 22, 2018 Earth Day 2018 Facebook Status Update Earth Day, Say a prayer for Mother Earth, and recycle some plastic. A Romantic Challenge1 Time caresses my auburn tresses wrapped around my fingers. The first gray strands, a perfect white, a solitary stone, a wisp of day against the cruel night. I think I see a ringer in the mirror. Poet's Note: ▼ Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 13 Jalál (Glory) 175 B.E. - Saturday, April 21, 2018 First Day of Ridvan2 First Day of Ridvan Listen to the Nightingale sing In the Tree of Life First Day of Ridvan3 On the First Day of Ridvan I read the musk-scented scriptures inscribed by the Pen of God's Glory, and inhale the perfume of paradise. Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 12 Jalál (Glory) 175 B.E. - Friday, April 20, 2018 Roses for Ridvan4 On the first day of Ridvan Roses bloomed in paradise Proclaiming the Glory of God To a weeping world. Facebook Status Update Sunset on Friday The celebration begins: First day of Ridvan. Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 11 Jalál (Glory) 175 B.E. - Thursday, April 19, 2018 “Know thou of a certainty that every house wherein the anthem of praise is raised to the Realm of Glory in celebration of the Name of God is indeed a heavenly home, and one of the gardens of delight in the Paradise of God.” Bahá’í Writings Praise Sing "Hallelujah!" Joyfully intone praise the the Almighty. Gratitude5 In everything give thanks! Never doubting that God exist. Each day He blesses every unselfish deed. Victory and defeat instructs the conscious soul. Each test encountered strengthens the seeker's faith. Reach beyond the limits of materiality. Your salvation is to overcome your duality. Together body and spirit compose a single entity. Humanity was created to live eternally. In everything give thanks! Never doubting that God exist. God does not leave His lovers unconsoled. God does not leave His lover unconsoled. In everything give thanks! Victory and defeat instructs the conscious soul. Eternity was created for humanity. Thought and deed must go hand-in-hand. Heaven and hell is constructed individually. At death the soul vibrates at a higher level; Never doubting that Tod exist. Knowledge of God comes through His Manifestation. Salvation is accepting God's Manifestation. Poet's Note: ▼ Footnotes |
‘Idál (Justice), 10 Jalál (Glory) 175 B.E. - Wednesday, April 18, 2018 The Big Question I just finished reading "Spiritual Newsletter (April 18, 2018)" The question Sunday school teachers couldn't answer was, "If the only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ, what about the people who lived before He was born?" The two dreams concerned the return of His Holiness Jesus Christ. The interaction with people of other religions or spiritual paths, was my search for the answer to the question and the explanation of the dreams. When I encountered the Baha'i Faith, and accepted Baha'u'llah, I found the answer to two question and the explanation of the dreams. As a Baha'i, I believe in progressive revelation. God has sent numerous divine prophets, or Holy Manifestations. Each one has helped humanity progress spiritually and materially. The names of some of these Manifestations are Moses, Jesus, Buddha, Krishna, Zoroaster, Muhammad, the Bab, and Baha'u'llah. Baha'u'llah is the latest, and fulfills the prophecies of the Holy Prophets who came before Him. This is what I believe, if anyone has any questions they can go to any Baha'i in their area of the world and ask or they can access information online. One website that posts articles about Baha'i beliefs is BahaiTeachings.org http://bahaiteachings.org/. I attempt to answer any questions I can. I have been a Baha'i for over 30 years, and there are still things I am learning from the sacred scriptures revealed by Baha'u'llah and, His forerunner, The Bab. |
Fiḍál (Grace), 9 Jalál (Glory) 175 B.E. - Tuesday, April 17, 2018 "O my God, O my Lord, O my Master! I beg Thee to forgive me for seeking any pleasure save Thy love, or any comfort except Thy nearness, or any delight besides Thy good-pleasure, or any existence other than communion with Thee. Thou seest, O my Lord, my dwelling-place in the heart of this mountain and Thou dost witness my forbearance." The Bab The Bab was imprisoned in the mountain fortresses of Maku before being transferred to the fortress of Chehriq. Yes6 Yes is a private choice, between the lover and the beloved, whose consequences reverberate through the sacred scriptures, the pages of history, and the stanzas of poems. Yes! Proclaimed, in all its power and glory, when the question is ask: Am I not your Lord? Becomes salvation's bridge. Yes! Repeated generates echoes, in the space-time continuum, that reverberates through matter and energy, through mind and spirit, through past and future to forge a new world view, to create a new approach to reality and to merge the lover with the beloved. Poet's Note: ▼ Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 8 Jalál (Glory) 175 B.E. - Monday, April 16, 2018 "I am the Mystic Fane, which the Hand of Omnipotence hath reared. I am the Lamp which the Finger of God hath lit within its niche and caused to shine with deathless splendor. I am the Flame of that supernal Light that glowed upon Sinai in the gladsome Spot, and lay concealed in the midst of the Burning Bush." The Bab A lamp ignited by the fire of God's love in the niche of His Covenant. Contemplating Motivation7 Where does motivation come from? From the Holy Spirit, through the sacred scriptures revealed by Baha'u'llah, The Bab, Muhammad, Christ, and any of the other sacred scriptures I read or come across. Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 7 Jalál (Glory) 175 B.E. - Sunday, April 15, 2018 Facebook Status Update Post Prayer and coffee A good beginning to A beautiful day. Seasons of Civilization8 Spring is a time of new beginnings, When nature begins a New Year, A time of new births and stronger feelings; A new age - the judgment day humanity fears. Summer is a time of growing, A time for nature's beauty to mature. This is the time of empire building, When the new civilization looks to the future. Fall and winter - times of harvesting and dying; When nature is at its lowest ebb. Civilization is in decay - awaiting a Divine Manifestation, When true civilization appears dead. Thus civilization and nature follow the same law, God's law. Poet's Note: ▼ Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 6 Jalál (Glory) 175 B.E. - Saturday, April 14, 2018 Success Defined9 To attain the object of her quest, The seeker must never rest, But must ascend the maintains, That separate the valleys of faith. Poet's Note: ▼ Facebook Post Listen to the wind Blowing through pine and palm trees Intoning God's Glory Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 5 Jalál (Glory) 175 B.E. - Friday, April 13, 2018 Poetry Reading10 Impaled on atoms of air rising into the upper atmosphere, poets echo the full moons love for the sun. Reverberating from the firmament's ebony ceiling, poets intone Earth's untitled sonnets to the expanding universe. Poet's Note: ▼ Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 4 Jalál (Glory) 175 B.E. - Thursday, April 12, 2018 "O Son of Beauty! By My spirit and by My favor! By My mercy and by My beauty! All that I have revealed unto thee with the tongue of power, and have written for thee with the pen of might, hath been in accordance with thy capacity and understanding, not with My state and the melody of My voice." Gratitude List for The Day of Majesty  Today I am thankful for the the beauty of a cool Las Vegas morning. Today I am thankful that "Pennies From Heaven" was featured in "Short Stories Newsletter (April 11, 2018)" . Today I am thankful that I have 3,042,138 GPs in my Gift Points account. I need only 1,157,362 GPs for a 12-month Premium Plus membership. Today I am thankful that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn. Today I am thankful that I made out my ballot for the Local Spiritual Assembly election, which is on April 21, and sent it in on Monday, April 6. Today I am thankful for hot coffee. Today I am thankful that it is cool enough to keep the front door open. Today I am thankful for the scriptures revealed by Baha'u'llah, because they inspire my poems. Today I am thankful for the memories of my mother and grandparents that I can share in my poems and blog entries. Today I am thankful for life, and the ability to think and remember.Facebook Post Good morning, Coffee, How are you this beautiful day. Please don't go away. How Beautiful is The Morning?13 How beautiful is the morning? Beautiful the scarlet rays of dawn. Is it time for the Lord to return? The Glory of the Lord reveals Morning to humanity. How beautiful is the morning? Beautiful the white clouds up above. Is it time to proclaim The splendor of the Lord's return? Morning is passing quickly. How beautiful is the morning? Beautiful the pilgrims going eastward. Is there a reason to rejoice? The Most Great Name intoned in Morning's crisp air. How beautiful is the morning? Beautiful is God's dawning light. Is this the reason that we sing? The nightingale intones Morning's might. Poet's Note: ▼ Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 2 Jalál (Glory) 175 B.E. - Tuesday, April 10, 2018 Love Interest14 How do you compound our love? Annually; Semiannually; Quarterly; Monthly; Weekly; Daily: or continually? Tell me, Please, The nominal interest rate you use! Our incompatibility comes Not from our lack of interest, But From our different expectations Concerning this investment. Poet's Note: ▼ Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 1 Jalál (Glory) - Monday, April 9, 2018 Feast of Glory Feast Day of Glory On the Feast Day of Glory15 I am motivated to write poetry. I write for the Glory of God, for Baha'u'llah. Why I Write16 I write for the Glory of God. I pray for forgiveness when my lower self interferes and causes me to momentarily unfocus on the reason I write poetry. Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 19 Bahá (Splendor) 175 B.E. - Sunday, April 8, 2018 "O FRIEND! In the garden of thy heart plant naught but the rose of love, and from the nightingale of affection and desire loosen not thy hold. Treasure the companionship of the righteous and eschew all fellowship with the ungodly." Of Roses and Humanity The beauty of a rose garden is its variety of color. Different hues of roses grow together in perfect harmony. The beauty of humanity is in its diversity. Come, let us associate like the roses in a garden getting along despite their color differences. "Blogging Circle of Friends " prompt for DAY 1971: April 9, 2018"May the saddest days of your future, Be the happiest days of your past." Chicago Hope Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 18 Bahá (Splendor) 175 B.E. - Saturday, April 7, 2018 Three Views of Dawn 1 First light awakens the glint of dew on outstretched arms: Saguaro sentinels, silent witnesses to the ever changing panorama of life, wave good morning to flocks mourning doves. 2 Turning pink with the splendor of a new day dawn clouds promise rain. 3 Pastel blues and reds streak the clouds of morning waking the poet's muse. |
Istiqlál (Independence), 17 Bahá (Splendor) 175 B.E. - Friday, April 6, 2018 "Sanctify your ears from the idle talk of them that are the symbols of denial and the exponents of violence and anger." Baha’u’llah, 1920 Contemplating Non-Violence Human beings are not beast of the field that we should maim and kill one-another. Violence, anger, and hatred separates the descendants of Adam and Eve into armed camps set on destroying each other because some human created concept of superiority. Humanity is a single species, God is a single divine essence with many names, and all religions have been sent down to humanity from the same Divine Essence through different prophets or manifestations-- each of which has revealed prescriptions to assist the human race to advance both materially and spiritually. Footnotes |
‘Idál (Justice), 15 Bahá (Splendor) 175 B.E. - Wednesday, April 4, 2018 Renewal Rebirth, renewal, resurrection, and transformation. As I read the sacred scriptures my faith is resurrected, my joy is renewed, my fear transformed into courage, and my spirit reborn. |
Fiḍál (Grace), 14 Bahá (Splendor) 175 B.E. - Tuesday, April 3, 2018 "These gifts are fulfilling their highest purpose, when showing forth the praise of God." Abdu’l-Baha, 2122 Is Poetry Necessary? Poetry is a necessity to humanity. Poetry reflects the beauty of the universe. Poetry reflects history through the eye of the poet, rather than the historian. Poetry lets the poet comment on events in a way that focus on the subtle components. Poetry is necessary because it whisper to our souls. Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 13 Bahá (Splendor) 175 B.E. - Monday, April 2, 2018 Humanity's Conscience I ponder the quotes of other poets in my search of meaning? Or a reason to write? I need no reason to write because, even in my dreams, stanzas and lines, metaphors and similes come unbidden into my mind. Some of the quotes resonant in my soul: such as Geoffrey Nash's implication that poets compose the conscience of humanity. Now I ask myself, "What does it mean to be the conscience of humanity?" "Why do I write poetry?" "Who do I write for?" One question I can answer, but the other two will have to wait until my soul and body separate, and my soul ascends into the spiritual realm. Poetry... art... is a gift from the Holy Spirit: I write for the Glory of God. Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 11 Bahá (Splendor) 175 B.E. - Saturday, March 31, 2018 By "changeless", I believe that Baha'u'llah is referring to the renewal of religious faith that occurs with each Divine Messenger. Some of the Divine Messenger, that we know about, are Krishna, Abraham, Moses, Zoroaster, Buddha, Jesus Christ, Muhammad, the Bab, and Baha'u'llah. The All-Knowing Creator sent these Holy Ones because the only way for human beings to know God, the Unknowable Creator, is through the Divine Messengers. They each come at a time, when spirituality was fading, to assist the human race on its next stage of spiritual and social evolution. On this glorious Saturday, I contemplate the sacrifice of His Holiness Christ. I smile remembering the Easter Sunday services at the First Southern Baptist Mission in the Smelter Height in Blackwell, Oklahoma. If we commemorated Holy Saturday it was with a city sponsored an Easter Egg Hunt at the airport across from my grandparents' house. Posted on Facebook In times of trouble I turn to Baha'u'llah intone His revealed Words. Footnotes |
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