365 Creativity Project-Day 283

Journal entry:

Overwhelming Love

Trouble may rattle
Me for a moment or two
But calm reasserts
Its power over me when
I lean on my Lord Jesus.

I know the storms will
Fade away in God’s presence
Which brightens my days,
My life blossoms in the light
Of His tremendous glory.

I will not be swept
Away by grave disaster,
But will find Christ’s grace
Sufficient to meet my needs
In every situation.

My many worries
Pale in significance when
Bathed in God’s great grace,
His mercy compensates for
My numerous shortcomings.

The Lord Jesus Christ
Fights my various battles
With His tremendous
Strength that overcomes problems
Bringing me His complete peace.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Thursday, October 18, 2012

Photographs:

I am grateful:

1.   I woke up early this morning and felt great.
2.   Richard called and we discussed the turning of the leaves in the mountains.
3.   Wal-Mart had my cases of Diet Sam’s Cola so I did not have to buy the more expensive Diet Coke.
4.   I bought The Twelve by Justin Cronin at Sam’s Club.
5.   Discover agreed to give me a credit for most of the warranty that Wolf defaulted on because I was persistent.
6.   I was able to talk to my best friend, Reba, this evening.
7.   The mass on Reba’s daughter, Vicki’s liver was not cancerous.
8.   My toe is doing somewhat better.
9.   There is a fresh gallon of milk in the refrigerator.
10. I have Oreo cookies and Nilla wafers a plenty.

I hope you had a pleasant Thursday. Most of my day turned out well. I had to be a firm and persistent negotiator, but I did not settle for defeat. You should not settle for less than creative productivity. You can make something that positively influences the world. So dedicate yourself to creation. Write, draw, paint, or take a photograph… You have the ability. I believe in your talent.

As a prompt, I would like for you to list at least five things for which you are grateful, then see if you can develop a story, poem, or journal entry from something in the list. If you are a visual artist, create a picture of something that symbolizes gratitude, or a thing for which you are grateful. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

I am so glad you visited my blog. If you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism to share, please leave me a comment. If you have not already, you might consider following Chronicles.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 280

Journal entry:

Do Not Lament

We have not the time
To spend in deepest regret
Over the mistakes
We have made in days gone past,
But must live today in joy.

The things we have done
Are forgiven by the Lord.
We are set free from
All the sins we committed
By Jesus’ saving grace.

No matter what may
Happen in the world today
We are surrounded
By the loving care of God
And He will light our pathway.

We should live each day
So fully we never once
Become discontent
With what we have accomplished,
But rejoice with happiness.

We are the living
Representatives of faith
Placed by God on Earth
To reflect His righteousness
Before a grief stricken world.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Monday, October 15, 2012

Photographs:

I am grateful:

1.   June took Mom to get her hair cut.
2.   I slept peacefully after I went back to bed this morning.
3.   My shower was refreshing.
4.   We had a nice supper.
5.   Life is very fulfilling.

I hope you have had a good Monday. My day has been very pleasant. I encourage you to make an effort to work creatively now. I know without doubt that you can make something wonderful if you apply yourself. I have no special talent and I have been doing this Creativity Project for 280 days. If I can do it, so can you. Believe in your gifts and use them to enrich our world.

As a prompt for you, please use any or all the words: time, regret, mistakes, past, joy, free, committed, grace, pathway, accomplished, faith, discontent in a poem, story, or journal entry. These words come from the poem above, but I thought they might inspire you. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

I am very thankful for each of you who read my blog. I hope you enjoy what you find here. If you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism to share, please leave a comment. You might consider subscribing to Chronicles.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 271

This poem arrived instead of a journal entry…

Brief Promise

So precious, but so
Short lived like meadow flowers
Perishing under
The punishing sun when rain
Is withheld from the parched fields.

We are only here
The span of a few quick years
Then we disappear
From life’s monumental stage,
Actors little remembered.

We strive to make lives
Of splendid meaning which are
Worthwhile to others
Who will walk these floors after
We have passed to memory.

Our hours are treasure
We must spend very wisely
Filling each day with
Shining moments that free us
From the trap of the mundane.

We have a purpose
Beyond our simple living,
We are lit within
By the fire of our brightly
Burning creativity.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Saturday, October 6, 2012

Photographs:

I am grateful:

1.   I caught up a bit of sleep in a nap.
2.   I did not require a prompt to write.
3.   I entered codes to My Coke Rewards.
4.   We have a washing machine and dryer.
5.   The dishwasher saves my hands from dishwater.

I hope you have gotten to relax and enjoy this Saturday. You should take time now, if you have not already done so, to do some creative work. Your imagination is rich with images and sentences no one else can bring to life. I encourage you to share with the world. By so doing you make all of us richer.

My prompt for you today is to write about cooperation. You may approach it as something lacking, something you strive to maintain, or in another way altogether. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

I am so glad you found time to explore my blog. I hope you will share your comments if you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism. Please come visit again, and if you like, subscribe to Chronicles.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 268

Journal entry:

Inspiration?

I have been saving
These words for this occasion
Not knowing before
This moment exactly what
I shall place upon this page.

I write down these lines
Without premeditation
Simply making this
Statement plain and clear for you
To ponder at your leisure.

Creativity
Wells up from deep within me
Erupting into
These few solid sentences
Evoking in you response.

Imagination
Writes from the depths of my heart,
Determination
Leading me, guiding me, and
Forging some concrete meaning.

I dip in the well
Dug deep within my soul to
Capture the essence
Of the notions inspired in
This very special moment.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Wednesday, October 3, 2012

The following poem is an old one from the Multiply group I thought I would share here… It may have appeared here long ago, but I doubt you mine my archives that deeply.

Yearnings Bared

Fingertips touching lightly
Contact nude intensely vibrant
Passion rising immediate
Waves flowing inward
Ebbing outward.
Subtle flush suffusing
Soft ivory flesh
Under hungry tongue
Glowing brilliant with joy,
Sharing essence.
Tight breath sighing
From ruby lips
Parted recent kissed.
Chasm heaving with
Tumultuous liquid fire,
Aching for fulfillment
Tautly withheld
Until desire ignites
Jubilant frenzy
Writhing in ecstasy.
Bodies meeting
Fusing volatile exploding
In universal orgasm
Gleaming ardent bright
In total completion.
Basking in heat of
Loving aura,
Stoking the embers
Back to fire before
The dew dries
On radiant skin.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan

Photographs:

I am grateful:

1.   I began my day fairly early even though I stayed up quite late.
2.   I did not go to town today.
3.   I have money again.
4.   My old work is thought provoking to me.
5.   I ordered Hope’s medicine from 1-800 Pet Meds and it did not cost as much as I expected.

I have enjoyed my Wednesday, and I hope yours was enjoyable as well. Take time to do something creative now. You may feel uninspired, but that is no excuse to neglect your work. You will only produce something worthwhile if you expend effort to make it happen.

Today I challenge you with this prompt: Write about inspiration. You may have some particular method to share with others, or you may wish to write about how elusive inspiration is. Whatever your angle, if you use this prompt please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

I hope your visit here has proved pleasant. If so, you may wish to subscribe to Chronicles. I love your input. If you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism, please do not hesitate to leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 266

Journal entry:

Conservation

If we do not take
Care of our environment
It will not take care
Of us and those who follow
In years we leave behind us.

The Earth is not ours
To abuse, but to nurture
With our gentle care;
God gave us our dominion,
Yet He meant us to be kind.

The many creatures
Depend upon us to keep
Them completely safe
From decimation unleashed
By those with little respect.

It matters what we
Do and how we continue
In relationship
With nature’s diverse bounty,
We must save all that we can.

We thrive when the Earth
Grows abundantly stronger
Under our careful
Tending and we must keep on
Giving our best to our world.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Monday, October 1, 2012

Photographs:

I am grateful:

1.   I woke up very well rested this morning.
2.   I was able to straighten out the medication snafu at the pharmacy.
3.   I took Mom for her blood work today.
4.   We had pizza from Papa John’s for supper.
5.   It rained all night and most of the day.

I enjoyed my Monday and I hope you did as well. Take a few minutes to exercise your creativity before you close the books on this day. You have the talent to accomplish anything you desire, if you will only believe in yourself and use your gifts. I have faith in you because if I can do this creativity project you can surely do something similar.

As a prompt, write about conservation. You could write from the view of a creature, or a place, or as an environmentalist. The choice is yours. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

I hope you enjoyed the time you spent here, if so, you might want to subscribe to Chronicles. Please leave a comment if you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism. I am anxious to read your comments.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 265

Today I wrote a poem instead of a journal entry…

The following poem was prompted by The Sunday Whirl. The words found there are in italics. You might want to visit the site and see what it inspires in you.

Persistent Supplication

The tenderness of
Breathing holy prayers is a
Grand weapon against
Ambivalence which empties
Fear like water down a drain.

The Enemy flaps
His ebon wings and scurries
Away dazed by the
Continual sweet incense
Of petitions lifted high.

God stretches His hand
Out to cover those who call
On His holiness
Protecting them from evil
And sparing them from great harm.

Much depends upon
The constant prayer of gentle
Hearts turned to Jesus,
He works wondrous miracles
For those who seek His kindness.

Raise abundant prayers
To the Lord who can fulfill
Your every request
For He delights in making
All your fondest dreams come true.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Sunday, September 30, 2012

Photographs:

I am grateful:

1.   My bed is cozy and comfortable for me to sleep in.
2.   Hope sleeps with me.
3.   Jeremy, Christy, and Jayden visited today.
4.   I completed another month of writing a poem each day.
5.   There are only 100 days to the end of my creativity project.

Sunday has been a restful day for me, I hope it was the same for you. If you feel inclined do something creative now. It does not have to be perfect, anything you create will be wonderful.

As a prompt, write about something you are uniquely suited to do. You may write about a passion, a creative task, or anything else. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

I hope you have enjoyed your visit to my blog. If so, please consider following Chronicles. Your thoughts, suggestions, and criticism are welcome, please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 263

Journal entry:

In Doubt

I am
Productive in
So many ways and yet
I often feel I do not do
Enough because I cannot do all things
I want to do for everyone
Who depends upon me
To do my work
Daily

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Friday, September 28, 2012

Noble Hope

Hope is
The sweetest dog
I have ever yet known
She is my constant companion
I would take her everywhere, but dogs are
Not allowed some places I go
I would be comforted
By her presence
My Hope

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Friday, September 28, 2012

Photographs:

My Hope…

I am grateful:

1.   I woke up early.
2.   Mom felt well, but wanted to stay home.
3.   My Whopper was delicious.
4.   Wal-Mart had baby food for Penny.
5.   The medicine I got will complete the two weeks I make on Sunday.

It has been a long day for me because I got up so early. I hope you have had a wonderful Friday. If you feel you can, create something now. It does not have to be a large thing, just original. You have the talent to make great things. I have faith in your abilities and you should too.

As a prompt, write about a pet you love. Maybe you don’t currently have a pet, but surely you have had one at some time. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you so much for visiting my blog. I hope you will come back often, but you might also want to subscribe to Chronicles. If you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism to share, please leave a comment. I appreciate your input.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 261

Journal entry:

Today’s poem was prompted by Poetic Asides. If you need inspiration please visit the site.

Making Way

No trespassing here,
There should be signs posted round
Edges of my heart,
I need no uninvited
Guests claiming the real estate.

There are still lodgers
I cannot seem to evict
In comfy houses
That I dare not tear down for
Risk of permanent damage.

Their days are numbered,
I have issued fair notice
They must quickly leave
Or face the consequences
Of unlawful residence.

I am sweeping clean
The premises and making
Room for visitors
Who might eventually
Become treasured occupants.

No trespassing here,
You lovers of my long past.
Be gone elsewhere now
For I am hoping I will
Soon have a new interest.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Photographs:

I am grateful:

1.   I woke up fairly early today even though I was up until 4:00 chatting with Alex.
2.   Mom went out with Linda and enjoyed her lunch.
3.   When the iron fell it did not hit my foot or one of the dogs.
4.   Reba’s procedure went well.
5.   My shower was hot and refreshing.

My day was busy and I am sure yours was, but before you consign this Wednesday to history I hope you will express your creativity. You have so much to share with the world if you only make the effort. I know inspiration can be elusive, but even so you are capable of creating something wonderful.

As a prompt, write about something that has caused you difficulty this week. Build it into a poem, story, or journal entry. If you are a visual artist, make an image that symbolizes difficulty. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you for spending a bit of your time with me today. I hope you found this entry worthwhile. If so, you might consider following Chronicles. I will continue trying to entertain you. Do you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism? Please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 260

Journal entry:

Today’s poem is in answer to the prompt at Carry On Tuesday. If you are looking for inspiration, please visit that site.

Your Reaction Is What Matters

Life isn’t about what happens to you,
It’s about how you handle what happens.
You have the choice to make the best of each
Situation you face, or you can be
Swayed by the daily pressures of your life.

You are the captain in charge of every
Reaction you have to things that happen,
No one else has power to control you.
Your decisions are the final verdict
Given on all your experiences.

You can respond with an attitude of
Gratitude and happiness to every
Challenge you face in life, for after all,
Life isn’t about what happens to you,
It’s about how you handle what happens.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Photographs:

I am grateful:

1.   I had wonderful dreams overnight.
2.   My best friend, Reba, called me and we talked for a while.
3.   I live in a free country.
4.   I have the opportunity to express my creativity.
5.   I have made some great new friends recently.

I hope you accomplished all you wished to on this Tuesday. Take time to create something before you bring your day to a close. Creation does not have to take place in any certain discipline, anything you do can be approached with imagination. You have great talents if you will only use them.

As a prompt, write an argument for why you believe “Creativity is not about freedom,” or “Creativity is all about freedom.” If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

I am so thankful that you read my blog today. If you enjoyed what you read, perhaps you would also like to follow Chronicles. I know you may have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism you would like to share, so please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 258

Journal entry:

Emily Dickinson’s poem and my essay:

I taste a liquor never brewed —
From Tankards scooped in Pearl —
Not all the Vats upon the Rhine
Yield such an Alcohol!

Inebriate of Air — am I —
And Debauchee of Dew —
Reeling — thro endless summer days —
From inns of Molten Blue —

When “Landlords” turn the drunken Bee
Out of the Foxglove’s door–
When Butterflies — renounce their “drams” —
I shall but drink the more!

Till Seraphs swing their snowy Hats —
And Saints — to windows run —
To see the little Tippler
Leaning against the — Sun —

Emily Dickinson

The Poem As Liquor

In the first stanza I believe Emily is writing about language in the poem. How it tastes new, is precious, and is uncommon. The poem is contained in a form which is not of baser materials. It cannot come from other minds, but is a distillation of the self. No one else could make such a potent use of language.

In the second stanza she relates her intoxication with the elements and how she breathes in endless warmth from the environment. This gives her the ability to write authoritatively from her own experience. She shares her self with we readers who visit from the wider world.

In the third stanza she scoffs at those who would place restrictions on her freedom to express herself. She states she will all the more enjoy herself because of those who wish to govern her use of language and form. She is breaking the rules with abandon.

In the fourth stanza she seems to be saying the heavenly hosts will rejoice with her in exuberance. Everyone will see her as outstanding in her presentations, which are shining with originality. She believes her work is life affirming and nurturing. She leans on beneficial elements supporting her and those who read her work.

The poem is so rare and fine readers can enjoy it on its surface or in a deeper reading. The language is rich and inviting. The images stand out convincingly.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Sunday, September 23, 2012

My poem was prompted by the wordle at The Sunday Whirl. The words in italics come from that site. If you are in need of inspiration you may find it there.

Preventive Measures

I remain trapped by
Bundles of words in corners
I climbed to avoid
Damp storm winds and thunder bolts
Which shook me like a corn husk.

You bring sweet relief
Through your reading what might have
Only become ash
Scattered upon the flooring
Of this lonely shut off room.

I break away from
My own limitations to
Grasp your hand across
The gulf of space and moments
Separating each of us.

You return to me
Over and again making
Some sense of my words
Bequeathed to your fine estate
Without any condition.

I know without you
I would be resigned to such
Bleak obscurity
I could never escape this
Hugely restrictive sentence.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Sunday, September 23, 2012

Photographs:

I am grateful:

1.   I have a home.
2.   I have comfortable clothing.
3.   I have food to eat.
4.   I am well educated.
5.   I have a good computer with internet access.

I hope you have had a wonderful Sunday. Now you should take some time and exercise your creativity. I do this every day and I know absolutely that you can write something with meaning. You are so creatively gifted.

As a prompt, write about a poem you enjoy. You could pick any poem you have ever read and do a close reading, or you could simply tell what the poem means to you. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

I hope you have enjoyed your visit here. If so, please consider following Chronicles. I am very interested in your thoughts, suggestions, or criticism, so please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

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