Monday Poem

Beautiful Monday
Crisp air invigorating
Sparrows are silent

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Monday's Poem

Monday's poem is motivation,
writing line and stanza,
metaphor and simile,
rhymed or not--
while attempting
to remain awake.


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Motivational Monday: A Poem

I awake,
stretch,
open the prayer app
on my smartphone,
and intone a morning prayer.

The words,
"I have awakened in Thy shelter,"
reverberate through my mind
motivating me
to begin
a new poem,
that will proclaim
Baha'u'llah.

I also posted this poem in the journal Writing in Snow, under the folder Awardican Items, in my writing.com portfolio. Visit My Portfolio @ Writing.Com

Motivational Monday or Lost Monday

Motivational Monday 

Or was it a lost Monday 

Somewhere in between 

After a difficult start this morning, I finally got  motivated to accomplish something. Most of what I did today was phone calls. I had to call my insurance agent to see if they would cover some of the cost for compression stockings. They will. I called my doctor to have her start the paperwork to get the compression stockings. I don't know how much my co-pay will be, but that's alright because I will find the money. 

I also accomplished a little writing and some Facebook time. I think I may be spending too much time on Facebook. Perhaps I should cut down on the statue updates because I would get more writing accomplished. I only need to update my status one or twice a day, unless it is a special occasion. 

A Productive Monday

Kamál (Perfection), 6 Sulṭán (Sovereignty), 173 BE - Monday, January 23, 2017 AD about 4:19 PM Pacific Standard Time 

I had a productive day. I got the smog check for my car and renewed my license plates. I also reviewed several items on writing.com and wrote a couple of blog entries. After I completed those items I did some surveys and read some paid e-mail. I'm satisfied with my accomplishments so far today. I have a few more things to do before I turn off the computer. I even finished editing a chapter in one of my novels. It's been a good Monday. 

A chilly morning 

Left over from yesterday 

Snow covered mountains 

Motivational Monday: Today's Motivation

Kamál (Perfection), 14 Qawl (Speech), 173 BE - Monday, December 5, 2016 AD about 12:59 PM Pacific Standard Time 

The rear brakes are finally fixed. We can now drive the car without them squeaking or making other weird noises. It's amazing how much motivation I can get from a car working properly even when I'm not planning to drive it until next week. We purchased the parts for the breaks at Autozone on Saturday and it took the guy all weekend and half of this morning to fix them. 

Another thing that motivated me today are the surveys. I know I've complained numerous times that they don't pay enough, but I was able to request a little over $70.00 from three survey groups last week. One of them sent the money to my PayPal account and the other two are sending me checks. I'm still going to need at least another $100.00 or so before the end of the month because I still have to get my driver's license renewed and pay the power bill, which is up $2.00  from last month.  

The third thing that motivates me, which I should have listed first because it's the most important motivation of all is prayer.  The prayers of Baha'u'llah, The Bab, and 'Abdu'l-Baha are the best motivation I experience.  

Monday Question: Are you afraid of Clowns?

Kamál (Perfection), 3 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 173 BE - Monday, October 17, 2016 AD about 4:24 PM Pacific Daylight Time 

All the stories in the news about creepy and scary clowns got me to wondering about phobias. I wanted to know what fear of clowns was called. First, let me define phobia. A phobia is classified as an anxiety disorder which is a persistent, overwhelming, and irrational fear of something. A person can have or develop a phobia against almost anything. 

The fear of clowns is called coulrophobia. I can tell you, from my experience with arachnophobia (fear of spiders), that have a phobia of any type is no laughing matter. The thing that frightens me about these clown sightings is that they may generate coulrophobia in people who have never been afraid of clowns or dealt with a phobia of any type. A phobia can be devastating and life altering if it is not dealt with in an appropriate manner. 

Monday A Slow Day

Kamal (Perfection), 12Raḥmat (Mercy), 173 BE - Monday, July 4, 2016 about 4:41 PM Pacific Daylight Time 

It's a slow Monday. This morning I went to Walgreens to purchase some items with a Walgreens gift card. I wrote some blog entries and then read some items on writing.com. The only surveys I've completed today were Walgreens customer satisfaction surveys. I have other surveys to do, but I haven't felt like doing them the past couple of days. I will begin the surveys on  Tuesday morning. I know I'm behind because I haven't did surveys since Saturday. 

I need to motivate myself to work on surveys. I think  two days off is enough time to be away from surveys so that I can take a fresh approach. I also have a story to finish. I will focus on  finishing the story and catching up on the surveys this week. 

Monday Seems Like Sunday

Kamal (Perfection), 19 Sharaf (Honor), 172 BE - Monday, January 18, 2016 about Sunset Pacific Standard Time

It's Monday evening,
but it feels like Sunday.

My neighborhood is silent
no unusual
or weird noises
to distract from my prayer,
reading,
or writing.

It's Monday,
but it feels like
Sunday evening.

Monday Meditations: Morning Doctor's Appointment

Kamal (Perfection), 15 Qawl (Speech), 172 BE - Monday, December 7, 2015 about 2:18 PM Pacific Daylight Time

I spent most of the morning in my doctor's office waiting to see my the nurse practitioner. Normally I arrive early, but his morning I arrived only about ten or fifteen minutes before I had to see her. I still had to wait about thirty minutes to see the nurse. While I waited I closed my eyes and meditated.

Meditating was a relaxing experience. By the time the nurse saw me I was calm, which helped my blood pressure, and in a good mood. Meditating also seems to have helped my memory because I remembered to ask questions about the new prescription. When I pick up the prescription on Tuesday, I have to as the pharmacist a couple of questions.

Happy Monday, Busy Monday

Kamal (Perfection), 1 Qawl (Speech), 172 BE - Monday, November 23, 2015 about 6:31 AM Pacific Standard Time

My morning begin with a cup of cold coffee. When I went into the kitchen to make the coffee this morning, I found leftover coffee in the coffee maker's glass carafe. I poured the coffee into my cup and drink it while I was making this morning's fresh coffee. I didn't want to throw the coffee out and I didn't want to heat it up in the microwave, so I drink it.

Today is going to be busy because I have to pick up my senior commodities for this month. I also have some writing projects to finish before Friday and Saturday. I also have an appointment with my doctor on Tuesday. I'm not planning to go any where special for the rest of the week. I'm not going to participate in Black Friday this year, but then I never participate in Black Friday. About the only thing I might do Friday is get gas and only then if I don't do it on Tuesday.

A Happy Monday
is always a busy day
take action to stave off depression.

Catching up on Tuesday afternoon

Fidal (Grace), 7 ‘Qudrat (Power), 172 BE - Tuesday, November 10, 2015 about 4:08 PM Pacific Standard Time

I had to get offline early on Monday because I wasn't feeling well. I couldn't think of anything to write for my NaNo novel or anything else. I decided to take a break and get back to work today. I'm doing alright so far. I finished chapter ll in my novel and will start on chapter 12. Today I found it easier to write. It was easier to push through to the end of chapter 11.

I think I'll have to take more breaks during the day so that I don't get to the point where I can't think. Perhaps go outside for a little walk. I have to get a blood test early Thursday morning, but on Wednesday I think I'll stay home and continue to get caught up. Right now I'm going to post this and do some review before writing another chapter or anything like that.

The Second Monday in September 2015 I am lonely

Kamal (Perfection), 7 'Izzat (Might), 172 BE - Monday, September 14, 2015 about 5:48 pm Pacific Daylight Time

On the second Monday in September 2015
I contemplate the past few months
of loneliness.

I didn't start feeling the loneliness until about February or March. Then I begin to think about how lonely I am living by myself. I don't like living alone. I don't like living by myself. I want a room mate. I want someone to talk to during the day. I know that I can call people, but talking to someone over the phone isn't the same as talking to them in person.

This butterfly is lonely
she want someone to talk to,
someone to help with the housecleaning,
someone to ride to the store with her.

The Fourth Week in August 2015: Be Kind to Humankind Week

Jamal (Beauty), 4 Asmá’ (Names), 172 BE - Sunday, August 23, 2015 about 2:19 pm Pacific Daylight Time

According to Holiday Insights the fourth week in August is Be Kind to Humankind Week. I Googled Be Kind to Humankind Week and found out that this is an annual celebration of kindness and reflection on ways we can be kind to others. Each of the seven days has a theme. The website Be Kind To Humankind list the themes for each day of the week.

Here are those themes with links to suggestions for celebrating each day of the week.

Day 1: Sacrifice Our Wants For Other’s Needs Sunday
Day 2: Motorist Consideration Monday
Day 3: Touch A Heart Tuesday
Day 4: Willing-To-Lend-A-Hand Wednesday
Day 5: Thoughtful Thursday
Day 6: Forgive Your Foe Friday
Day 7: Speak Kind Words Saturday

Happy Monday

Kamal (Perfection), 10 Kamál (Perfection), 172 BE - Monday, August 10, 2015 about 5:40 pm Pacific Daylight Time

It's a happy Monday;
the dishes are wished,
the trash taken to the alley,
the air conditioner working,
and I'm on my second carafe of coffee.

It's a happy Monday,
my Doctor said I need to
cut down on the salt,
get more exercise,
and lose weight.

Monday Morning Shock

Kamal (Perfection), 8 Kalimát (Words), 172 BE - Monday, July 20, 2015 about 11:53 am Pacific Daylight Time

Death comes suddenly
Arriving without warning
Takes family and friends

I learned of two deaths this morning when I logged into Facebook. The first was my youngest brother's father-in-law. The second was character actor Alex Rocco. My brother's father-in-law died of cancer, but I'm not sure what caused the death of Alex Rocco. I'm in too much shock right now to cry, so I will wait for the shock to pass so that the tears can fall.

Unexpected news
Even when you know it is
Inevitable

Everyone eventually dies. No human being is exempt from the kiss of the Grim Reaper. The only thing a person can do is prepare for the inevitable by praying, meditating, performing charitable acts, and placing our entire trust in God. Human beings cannot run away from death because we are always moving toward it no matter in which direction we travel.

Intone prayers for
those souls who have ascended
into paradise

Those of us who are left behind pray for the departed. We shed the tears of loneliness because our loved ones are no longer seen in this world. We shed tears because we miss them. The stages of grief pass and eventually we smile when we think of those departed souls.

Seven Ways to Have a Happy Monday

1. Pray: Before you get out of bed on Monday morning whisper a prayer. It doesn't have to be a long prayer or even a prayer you have memorized. Something like "Thank you, Lord. I place this day in your hands." Then get up and go about your day.

2. Coffee: Brew a fresh carafe of coffee, find your favorite coffee mug, and then pour yourself a nice hot cup. Don't worry about whether you washed the coffee mug the night before because it's your cup. You don't have to wash the stains yesterday's coffee from it if you don't want to.

3. Meditate: In hale and exhale a deep cleansing breath. Then stare into your filled coffee cup for a few seconds focusing on the steam or the rich dark liquid. Take another cleaning breath and then take a sip of the coffee.

4. Variation: Do something different. Vary your routine. Drive to work a different way. Stop at a different coffee shop on your way to work. Set in a different seat on the bus you take to work. If you read a paper back on the bus then try watching people or writing in a journal.

5. Smile: Smile at people even those who frown at you. Smile at the bus driver when you get on the bus. Smile at the traffic light that always stops you on your drive to work.

6. Unplug: Don't use your technology for the first thirty minutes to one hour after you wake up. Turn your alarm off without pressing the snooze, turn off the phone, get up, and begin your day technology free. If you use technology both at home and work then don't use technology until you get to work.

7. Exercise: Take a five or six minute walk through your house or the neighborhood. When you take the trash into the garage or to dumpster alley don't go back inside immediately walk around outside for a little while.

Meditation Monday: Monday Morning Miracles

Kamal (Perfection), 14 Jamál (Beauty), 172 BE - Monday, May 11, 2015 about 8:21 am Pacific Daylight Time

Monday miracle
I woke up without pain
and got out of bed.

It is a beautiful Monday morning here in Las Vegas. I have consumed two or three cups of coffee, ate a small container of yogurt, and written approximately 650 words in response to blog prompts from three writing.com blog groups. I have changed my mind twice about going to the supermarket later today. At this moment I have no intentions of going because I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow afternoon, so I can stop at the supermarket after I leave the doctor's office.

Monday miracle
at dawn I heard a rooster crow
and birds sing.

It is a miraculous Monday morning here in Las Vegas or at least in my neighborhood. The sun cast dark shadows across the sidewalk and streets while birds walk-hop on the ground searching for food. The sky is blue with wisps of ghost clouds flowing either from west to east or from east to west. A tranquil feeling permeates the atmosphere along Sunrise Avenue while two or three streets over dog bark.

Monday miracle
the city wakes up, stretches,
yawn, and goes to work.

 

Makeup (Catchup) Monday: Attempting to Catch up on some work

Kamál (Perfection), 14 Raḥmat (Mercy), 171 BE - Monday, July 7, 2014 about 11:44 am Pacific Daylight Time

It's catchup makeup  Monday,
so I'm eating barbecued chicken
with sweet peas for lunch
and attempting to get the back load
under control.

I feel as if I'm behind on everything, but I don't think that's an accurate statement or feeling. For sometime now I've felt as if I was walking in a fog. I'm not sure what is causing the problem, but it's put me behind on everything. I have to attempt to get caught up this week. I know I can't get everything I want to accomplish in one day or one week; however I can get something done.

Don't focus on the big picture,
rather look at a small space,
at one box,
at one file folder,
get something accomplished
get the trash
taken out to the alley.

I find myself looking at the big picture. I look at everything I have to accomplish and because frustrated. I have to learn to narrow my focus to one small space or one item at a time. The only way to get anything done is in small sections. Say a prayer of assistance and then get to work washing dishes, sweeping the floor, or sorting laundry.

Summary Saturday: Looking back over the week

Jalál (Glory), 7 ‘Alá’ (Loftiness), 170 BE - Saturday, March 8, 2014 about 5:30 pm Pacific Standard Time

I just finished eating a grape sucker for my snack today. I know that isn't a good snack, but it was lying on my desk and I didn't want to throw it away. I got it when I went to the bank on March 3, to withdraw the money for the rent. At the time I didn't think about the type of snack it would make or anything else because it reminded me of my childhood.

This has been an interesting week, I went to the gym on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and today. I worked out  on  the  treadmill, the stationary bike, the cardio machine, the machine  that lets you do leg stretches, attended an hour long exercise class, and I did balancing exercises.  Today I planned to attend a yoga class but got confused about the time. I thought the class started at 10:30 instead of 10:00 am. I worked out on the machines for an hour and then went to the grocery store.

On Thursday morning, I went to the laundromat. On Friday, I stayed home and remained in the house almost all day. I did go outside twice to take trash to the dumpster in the alley. I ate only one meal Friday, so I ran out of energy before I accomplished everything I wanted to do. I went to bed early on Friday and I overslept this morning, which may be one reason I thought the yoga class started later in the morning.

I like going to the grocery store on Saturday after my gym workout. The reason is the free food sample, which I think count as a snack. The samples were good, unfortunately I couldn't purchase the products because most of them aren't on the diet plan my doctor gave me. However, I doubt the samples had very much potassium in them because they were all small and less then bite size.

Well, that is about it for  this week,  tomorrow Day Light Savings Time begins. Since I haven't plugged in the clock radio, I have only two clocks to sit ahead. I have to manually set the clock on the stove and the microwave.