Creativity Project Year Two-Day 126

Journal entry:

The Bud

It is a promise,
Given by nature,
That more beauty
Will unfold.

There is a gift
Contained in each day,
If we just remember
We are not finished yet…

God puts the roses
Here to remind us
He has never
Forgotten us.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Tuesday, May 14, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I slept well last night.
2.   I decided to dress up so I looked more competent today.
3.   I managed to handle myself well at Mom’s appointment.
4.   We had a nice lunch, though it was late.
5.   I had my photograph taken this evening for a new profile picture.

Tuesday was a fairly successful day for me, though Mom’s pain still is not much better. I hope you had an excellent day. Now while you have time, make an effort to do some creative work. You never know what you can accomplish until you dedicate yourself to the process. Practice will bring you competence and help you fulfill your potential. I believe in your abilities, have faith in yourself.

As a prompt, pick one of today’s pictures and write about it. Post a link to your work in the comments below, if you should use this prompt.

Thank you so much for taking time to read my blog. I hope you enjoyed your visit, if you would like please subscribe to Chronicles. Any comments you may have to share are more than welcome.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 123

Journal entry:

The following poem evolved into a revelation of personal truth. It tells a story and I hope you like it.

Where Memory Leads

He does not know, and
I suppose that is better,
I thought of him once
Again today, as happens
Often when I am alone.

I really should not
Let him linger taking space
Within my thoughts, but
Occasionally I miss
Him still, though I ought not.

He moved on, and so
Did I, but his memory
Haunts me at times when
Loneliness overtakes me
With its cruel clutching claws.

I am prisoner
Of the love we shared in days
That still glow brighter
Than they have permission to
Within my wayward conscious.

He was always much
Better in my brain than in
Reality, so
I will just compare the truth
With the image and forget.

It was my success
Which imposed a golden hue,
For I was doing
So much better then than now,
Money flowed without restraint.

I made those times my
Own perfect fairytale days
Because I was on
Top of the world with reason:
My grand outstanding efforts.

That experience
Can be mine once again if
I will only try
And go beyond the edges
Of my dissatisfaction.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Saturday, May 11, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I was once a publisher in my own right.
2.   I have the ability to do that work again if I so choose.
3.   I have the equipment to do most processes.
4.   I have the software to complete many vital tasks.
5.   I can usually accomplish what I set out to do.

My Saturday went very well. I hope your day was filled with smiles. Now I want to encourage you to lay aside your other concerns and make an effort to do some creative work. You have a vivid imagination and that is all required to make something wonderful.

As a prompt, write about a personal truth that you rarely reveal to yourself or others. You might do this in a poem, as I did, or you could write a story or journal entry. If you use this prompt, leave a link to your work in the comments below. I would love to read what you create.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you enjoyed your stay and will come back often. If you have comments to share don’t hesitate to leave them below.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 122

A meditation on pain and suffering:

This poem is in answer to the prompt at The Sunday Whirl. The words in italics are from Wordle 108, I got the words early on Facebook. You could visit that site for inspiration…

Vitriolic Outburst

I open my mouth and
Say the words that come to mind
Allowing them space
Under the blistering sun,
I will not yet be broken.

I will not cave, but
Shake my fist in defiance
Despite your constant
Drone raised against my judgment,
You will find actions binding.

I will continue
Circling subjects voicing
Chants and quiet vows
Unceasingly, using all
My force quite efficiently.

I would call you crook,
But the name is much too good
To describe you well,
You’re an absolute bully
Deserving name enemy.

My anger boils so
Riotously I cannot
Contain it within,
It overflows determined
To impact our history.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Friday, May 10, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I went to town and did our weekly shopping.
2.   I picked up a Papa John’s pizza for me and Krystals for Mom.
3.   Laura called and rescheduled our dinner together.
4.   I talked to Richard Nichols this evening.
5.   Reba called and reported on her condition. She is recovering from her surgery.

I had a reasonably good Friday, although I stayed up all night. I hope you also had a good day. While you have a few moments, concentrate your energy on doing some creative work. I know you have the ability if you only set your mind to it. Your skill will grow with practice and inspiration will find you if you make a consistent effort.

As a prompt, write about a situation or person that maddens you. I find this is a great stress reliever. Leave a link to your poem, story, or journal entry in the comments below.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you will find your way here again, but you might also want to subscribe to Chronicles by entering your email address in the space provided above. Any thoughts, suggestions, or criticism you have to offer would be greatly appreciated.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 121

Journal entry:

Unappreciated

You take it all away
With your ignorance
Of everything I do
To make your life
More pleasant.

Sometimes I almost
Give up trying
Because you never
Notice my efforts
To enrich your days.

I have to remain
Hidden in the shadows
While you bask in
All the glory,
Darkness must suit me.

One day perhaps
You will notice
Everything does not
Revolve around you
And all your drama.

I work in the background
Without any credit
Wondering why I must
Continue when you
Do not even say thanks.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Thursday, May 9, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I have plenty of paper.
2.   I have lots of clothes from which to choose.
3.   I still have my Mom with me.
4.   I have a variety of books to read.
5.   My computer allows me to do things I only imagined a few years ago.

Thursday was an interesting day. I hope your day was enjoyable. I went to the Sweetwater Camera Club meeting this evening. The speaker, David Fisher, gave a great presentation. As usual, I want to encourage you to engage your creativity and make something wonderful to share with the world. You can without doubt do work that touches other lives.

As a prompt, write about creativity in a way that encourages or provokes others to action. Your poem, story, or journal entry can be shared by leaving a link to your work in the comments below.

I am so thankful you chose to spend a few of your precious moments reading my blog. I hope you will find your way back here often, but you might also want to enter your email address in the space provided above and subscribe to Chronicles. Any comment you have to share would be much appreciated.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 116

Journal entry:

Reading

When you
Enter the world
Created by the work
Of a writer between covers
Of a book, you experience a great
Adventure designed to take you
Deep within your vivid
Fantasies, so…
Please read.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Saturday, May 4, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I am here to help Mom when she needs me.
2.   There is purpose to my life.
3.   We have the ability to keep the house at a comfortable temperature.
4.   I finished reading The Legend Of Broken by Caleb Carr.
5.   I watched the Kentucky Derby.

Mom has been in a great deal of pain, so my Saturday has been touched with sadness. I hope your day was better. While you have the opportunity, I encourage you to engage your creativity. You never know what delights you can bring to life until you delve into your imagination. If you believe it impossible, read what I wrote today again. I was totally without inspiration, but I managed to write. You can do meaningful work if you only make an effort.

As a prompt, write about reading. This is something magical that we do, and you no doubt have a poem, story, or journal entry about it within you. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you so much for reading my blog. I hope you will continue to visit often, but you might also want to subscribe to Chronicles. If you have anything to share with me, please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 115

Journal entry:

Better Left Unsaid

It is
Absolutely
Useless to complain, but
Sometimes a word or even two
Escapes your lips without your permission
And you immediately think,
‘No, I should have never
Let that thought get
Outside.’

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Friday, May 3, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I have a comfortable bed in which to sleep.
2.   I have clean water to drink.
3.   I have plenty of food to eat.
4.   There are people who love me in the world.
5.   I have a computer with which to communicate.

This was a very busy Friday, but it went fairly well. I hope your day was good. I encourage you to make an effort to complete some creative work. I know this can seem difficult, but it is worth your time. It will add contentment to your day.

As a prompt, write about something better left unsaid. Maybe you want to come at this from the perspective of what happens afterwards, maybe you want to write about what to avoid. Do it your way. Leave a link to your poem, story, journal entry, or other writing in the comments below.

Thank you so much for visiting my blog. I hope you will make coming here a habit, but you might also like to enter your email address in the space above to receive future updates from Chronicles. If you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism to share, please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 114

Journal entry:

Advice to Someone Who Is Blocked in Their Writing

You have to be willing to write just, “I cannot think of anything to write, I have nothing to say. I don’t understand why I feel this way, but I do…” and just go on, even repeating yourself, until something comes to you. I have been doing my Creativity Project every day for over a year now. Often I have nothing to write, but I begin and just talk to myself on the page, and it usually leads to something. Do not stare at the blank page… write… even if it is the same sentence over again… eventually you will break through. The mind will begin to create. I truly believe it works because I do it. I was severely blocked before I began my Creativity Project, but now I write every day: A journal entry and poem a day, plus a gratitude list, some encouragement, and a prompt. I know it works. You can do it, I have. You have to want it and not be afraid to fail… if you call not writing beautifully every day a fail.

Perfectionism is very hard on creativity. You have to banish the harsh internal editor and write, even badly. You do not have to share what you write with the world, though I do, but you have to write. You have to give yourself permission to do the work without expectation of perfection. Realizing that nothing is actually perfect may help you. No matter how well we do a thing there is always room for improvement, so nothing is perfect. You do not have to be so hard on yourself. Write for yourself, amuse yourself, you might surprise yourself and find you want others to share your discovery. Loosen up and allow the making of mistakes. Some of the most fortunate things I have done were mistakes that led to something wonderful. Learn from your efforts. There is always the chance to edit what you write and improve it, after it is written.

I know this works, because I have made the journey from being unable to put down a sentence, to writing each day. It is not an easy journey, but it begins with desire and a willingness to start. The effort is most assuredly worthwhile. Had someone told me I could write every day for over a year when I began my Creativity Project, I would have told that person it was impossible. I have done it. It worked for me. It is possible. I am no one special. It can, with dedication and willingness to accept whatever work you do, also work for you.

Make the effort and you will find it gets easier with time. I still have days on which I have nothing to write, but I begin there and keep going. Eventually the words begin to flow. They may not be beautiful words, but they are mine, and being original in my creation is one of my goals, as is getting words on the page. You and I do not have to be perfect, that is not reality. We just have to be willing to do the best of our ability in the moment. It is good enough and it will fill pages… Try it and see…

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Thursday, May 2, 2013

Ideally

It is not ever
All about you, it is not
All about me, but
It is about who we can
Become relying on God.

We are only parts
Of the wonderful plans made
By the Creator,
Fulfilling His purposes
Through our actions in the world.

Jesus uses us
To accomplish whatever
Needs to be done in
The places where we are put,
In the times we come forward.

We will never be
Called upon to give more than
We are made able,
We are holy instruments
In the hands of awesome God.

It is not ever
All about you, it is not
All about me, but
It is about who we can
Become relying on God.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Thursday, May 2, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   Mom slept through the night without waking up in pain.
2.   I read over 100 pages in The Legend Of Broken by Caleb Carr, which puts me a little closer to finishing the book.
3.   I carried on conversations with a few people overnight.
4.   I started my Facebook page.
5.   We travelled to and from Mom’s appointment safely.

My Thursday has gone reasonably well. I hope your day was very pleasant. I encourage you to engage your imagination in doing something creative. I am convinced you can accomplish anything you are willing to commit to doing. You have the talent to make a wonderful contribution to our world.

As a prompt, write about your strategy for overcoming creative block. You may want to write a poem, story, or journal entry that explores this issue. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you so much for reading my blog. I hope it has encouraged you. Please visit often, but you might also want to enter your email address in the space provided above to subscribe to Chronicles. If you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism to share, please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 113

Journal entry:

I actually wrote the following poem on Monday and had already posted my blog, then I forgot to post it yesterday. So I hope you enjoy it.

Unsung Heroes

They’re the ones who stand
Backstage, out of the spotlight,
With quiet support
For every flamboyant act
Performed before the rapt crowd.

They’re the ones who say
Constant prayers for those who brave
Terrible dangers,
A hot line to God’s power
Is kept open by their pleas.

They’re the ones seldom
Wanting any credit for
The sacrifice they
Ever so willingly make
To keep everyone else safe.

They’re the ones who will
Never mention quitting in
The face of defeat,
They have hope and faith to keep
On fighting despite the odds.

They’re the ones who don’t
Voice their doubts in the hearing
Of others who might
Then lose heart, they continue
Believing to the finish.

They’re the ones who make
Other lives worth living with
Their dedication
To lifting up their fellows
Helping them their tasks complete.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Monday, April 29, 2013

Today’s poem, which is actually a rap song, follows:

Nonsensical Rhythm

Ooo la la…
Di op, dippity, whop, do…
That’s how it goes
When I am trying
To think of a song
To make into a poem
To write for me and you.

Ooo la la…
Di op, dippity, whop, do…
I got the music
In me and want to
Get the music inside
Of you too, so I keep
Writing until I do.

Ooo la la…
Di op, dippity, whop, do…
It does not make a lot
Of sense, but it is not
Necessary that it does,
It just has to reach out
And grab ahold of you.

Ooo la la…
Di op, dippity, whop, do…
Get yourself up,
Jump, shout, and move,
Sing out the song
I’m sharing with you,
Making it a part of you.

Ooo la la…
Di op, dippity, whop, do…
That’s how it goes
When I am trying
To think of a song
To make into a poem
To write for me and you.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Wednesday, May 1, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   It was only cloudy and did not rain.
2.   I was able to get the x-rays from Doctor Desai’s office.
3.   I was able to get an appointment with Doctor Patel’s office.
4.   Mom saw Doctor Bueno and he helped her some.
5.   Carrie Leigh cut the grass in our little yard.

I had a stressful Wednesday, but it turned out alright. I hope you had a blissfully happy day. Now do as I have done and let your creativity loose to make something that can enrich your life and those of your readers. I know that you can do wonderful things if you only make an effort.

As a prompt, write a rap that begins with some nonsensical words in rhythm. I had never done this before today, but I quite enjoyed it and suspect you will too. Should you use this prompt, leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you so much for visiting my blog. I hope you found encouragement in it. Come back often, but you might also want to enter your email address in the space provided above and subscribe to Chronicles. If you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism to share with me, please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 111

Journal entry:

Trust In The Lord

Life is not always kind,
But God always cares.
Life is not always fair,
But God is always just.
Life is not always pleasant,
But God is always good.

Don’t depend on life
To fulfill your needs,
But put your faith in
The Maker of your life,
For He can make something
Beautiful of all you go through.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Monday, April 29, 2013

Safety In The Storm

Make God the captain
Of your ship, and though
You may be tossed about,
You will surely make
It through the storm.

Harm may come,
But you will see your
Way to a better day,
God will never forsake you
Or leave you to survive alone.

Jesus will guide you
Through all difficulties
If you will only place
Your trust in His great
And providing hands.

Have faith in Him
Who owns your destiny,
For He will surely
Lead you through this
And every other day.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Monday, April 29, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I have some wonderful creative friends who encourage me.
2.   I stayed up all night and accomplished a lot.
3.   I was able to take care of some necessary business this morning.
4.   I am finishing this very early.
5.   I will be able to watch WWE Monday Night RAW without distraction tonight.

I am having a wonderful Monday. I hope your day goes exactly as you expect. I encourage you to invest some time exploring your creativity. I know you have the talent required to accomplish great things in your life. Every time you exercise your imagination you enrich the world.

As a prompt, write about a difficult crossing in your life. You may wish to center your poem, story, or journal entry on how you overcame the obstacle or on its significance. Just write… If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you for reading my blog. I hope you enjoyed your time here and that you will visit again often. You might wish to enter your email address in the space above and subscribe to Chronicles. I would love for you to leave a comment should you have any thoughts to share with me.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 107

Journal entry:

I do not usually use a lot of rhyme, but I tried to fulfill the prompts at NaPoWriMo and Poetic Asides. One of those was to write a ballad. I tried…

Everyone Wants Competence

Almost every day I find it
Lacking in those on whom
I am forced to depend for it,
So I must face my doom.

Yes, everyone wants competence,
Least to most important,
Really it would make much more sense
To be less discordant.

People just do not seem to care
About doing things well,
So some of us are left to swear
And finally to yell.

You have to be ever watchful,
Keeping wits about you
Because many are not thoughtful,
The competent seem few.

Make yourself an honest effort
To do your very best
So that yours is a good report
Despite that of the rest.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Thursday, April 25, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I had pleasant dreams.
2.   I was able to get an appointment for Mom tomorrow.
3.   I checked the delivery status on our package this afternoon.
4.   I posted on Facebook about the lost package.
5.   A friend suggested checking with neighbors, I did, and found the package.

This Thursday eventually worked out well. I hope your day was a good one. Take time to create something you can share with others. What you do may have a major impact on someone’s life. You may never know what positive effect you have, but you will have enriched the world.

As a prompt, write a rhyming poem. This could be any sort of poem you choose, but just use rhyme. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you for reading my blog. I hope you enjoyed your visit and that you will return often. You might also want to enter your email address in the space above and subscribe to Chronicles. If you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism, please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

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