365 Creativity Project-Day 165

Journal entry:

Writer’s Debate

I often wonder,
Do words obey my command
As they march across
The page, or am I only
A recruit in their service?

It is hard to say
Who exerts the upper hand,
For the force of words
Appears from out of nowhere,
So should I really claim them?

Could someone other
Than myself not better lead,
Giving direction?
Are these words rightly mine or
Are they only here on loan?

Is there a bank where
I have some lines on account
From which I sometime
May withdraw until surely
Resources are exhausted?

Creativity
Is inherited from God,
But the words themselves,
Am I truly their master
Or am I only their slave?

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Friday, June 22, 2012

Photographs:

I am grateful:

1.   The drive to town went safely.
2.   I have the opportunity to talk to Mom about family history.
3.   I am making a record of my days.
4.   I wrote my poem and journal entry before going to town.
5.   My eyes allow me to see the world and interact with it.

Another week is almost ended and it is Friday again. I hope the day has been rewarding for you. It would be excellent if you took some time to do something creative. Write a journal entry, a poem, a story, or an essay, take a photograph, draw a picture, just do something that exercises your creativity.

If you need a prompt to prime your imagination, write about happiness. You could detail your happiest moment, or why you feel happiness is elusive, or approach it from any angle you desire. Mostly I want you to enjoy the writing and hopefully entice yourself to feel positive. If you use this prompt, please leave a comment with a link to your work so myself and others can share it.

I hope you found something edifying here. If so, please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 164

Journal entry:

The prompt that encouraged today’s poem can be found at Trifecta. You might visit that site if you need a topic to inspire you.

Genuine Freedom

I am not now blue,
Melancholy does not cling
Tight upon my breast,
Though I have every excuse
To visit deep depression.

No, I made a choice
To make the best of these days,
Picking happiness
Over darker blue feelings;
I am not so much lonely.

I have found my own
Company very pleasant,
Little argument
Happens between me, myself,
And I; there is blissful peace.

Low spirits do not
Dog me, dragging me down to
Roll around in waste;
I have overcome sadness
And risen above the muck.

These days may not be
Perfect, but neither are they
The worst I have seen,
So I continually
Rejoice in my liberty.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Thursday, June 21, 2012

Photographs:

I am grateful:

1.   I have friends who encourage me.
2.   My Mom believes in me.
3.   I have a wonderful companion in my dog, Hope.
4.   Success is more than just what the world sees in me.
5.   God is in control, and it is not all left up to me.

I hope your Thursday has gone exceedingly well. Did you do something that nourished your soul and exercised your creativity yet? If not, I urge you to do it now. The hours are slipping away and you can never retrieve them. Make something to commemorate this day of your life, for your life is a great treasure. You are a gift that has never before and will never again grace the Earth. God created you for greatness, if only in the lives of those who are close to you. You are significant.

If you need a prompt today, write about your fears. This subject can shake up your life and make you aware of areas in which you need improvement. It can be a revelation if you bury your fear deeply. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments so I and others may visit your work.

I hope something in this entry touched you. If so, please leave me a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 163

Journal entry:

My poem today is in answer to the prompt at Poetic Asides. I think I may have taken it in a totally different direction than was intended, but I went where the words led me. If you need inspiration, please visit that site, and see where the prompt leads you.

Straight Line, Right Angle

My life is not one
Straight line engraved across time;
It wobbles and curves
Shifting with necessity
Between each destination.

My days lead me forth
From person to person on
Interesting paths;
Painting my story in bright
Colors that bloom before me.

Incidents happen
That cast me about without
Care for my being;
Like a boat caught in a storm
Which tests determination.

The days are crafted
With exquisite pieces drawn
From many places;
Abounding in such phrases
As answer many questions.

My life is not made
Of one straight line, but wanders
Like a pencil held
In the hand of an artist;
Drawing beauty from nothing.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Photographs:

I am grateful:

1.   There is a trace of God’s great creativity in all of us.
2.   The call to write has been present throughout my life.
3.   Some believe my writing inspirational.
4.   Talent can be nurtured into greatness.
5.   I am capable of learning and growing in skill.

Wednesday has come again, I hope it has found you well. If you have not already created something, do it now. The moment will escape you if you fail to capture it some way.

My prompt for you today is to write about your process of writing: The what, when, how, why, and where of your writing. Approach it any way that ignites your imagination. I think you will find an endless supply of words on the subject. If you use this prompt leave a link to your work in the comments so I and others can read what you created.

I love comments, they help me know what I am doing right and where I need improvement. Please leave yours below.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 162

Journal entry:

The prompt for my poem today came from Carry On Tuesday. I encourage you to visit that site if you are in need of a bit of inspiration.

Question Of Worth

I wonder sometimes,
Is there anybody there?
Are you listening?
Do you have any reason
To pay attention, and care?

My errant words go
Out into the atmosphere
Seeking hearts to move,
Lives to touch with gentleness
Bringing some new awareness.

Yet I never know,
Is there anybody there?
I could be speaking
Only to shadows who have
No souls to be soft caressed.

I write tempting fate
To bury significance
Under layers of
Deepest darkest ignorance,
Lost to almost everyone.

It often makes me
Feel I must work much harder
To make some meaning,
And still I wonder sometimes,
Is there anybody there?

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Photographs:

One minute to midnight, or noon if you rather…

Finished books with prompts I created on each page…

Title and invocation page for my prompt books…

I am grateful:

1.   I slept in a bit, after a very late night.
2.   The writing came easily today.
3.   We stayed home.
4.   My life has meaning, although there are problems.
5.   I pursue writing even though it seems unreasonable at times.

I hope your Tuesday has brought you many smiling moments. Use a few of them to create something that is meaningful to you. When you bring yourself to the page or canvas you legitimize your presence in the world. You may motivate others to excel in their struggles.

As a prompt today, I would like you to write a letter or poem of encouragement to someone you do not really know, someone who mostly goes unnoticed and receives little appreciation for the contributions he or she makes to your life. Maybe your postal person, your hair stylist, a wait person at a restaurant, a cashier at a store you frequent, or anyone who is really behind the scenes of making your life more pleasant. Post your work and leave a link in the comments here so I and those who visit can read your creation, then give it to the person you had in mind to inspire them.

I hope today’s entry made an impression on you, if so, or if you have any suggestions… please leave me a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 161

Journal entry:

Capturing Imagination

Creation does wait
For the opportune moment
To fully burst forth
From busy occupied brains
That hasten into more work.

Creation chooses
Those who aspire to the craft
Making sure plenty
Of grandest inspiration
To produce glorious art.

Creation lapses
From blind leading ambition
Wanting rather those
Who over intervening
Years cast a net of desire.

Creation muses
On those who dedicate time
To following steps
That rise into the heavens
Reaching to touch twinkling stars.

Creation blesses
Those who spend the waking hours
Chasing the shadows
Cast long inside ready hearts
Hinting at awesome rewards.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Monday, June 18, 2012

Photographs:

Lamb…

Close up of lamb…

Angel figurine holding bird with broken wing, which I painted…

I am grateful:

1.   John Cena won against Big Show last night.
2.   I woke up fairly early.
3.   I had encouraging comments on the blog today.
4.   Mom taught me to read and write.
5.   Writing is a great joy.

I hope your Monday has been productive. Take time to create. You have all the talent you need, and you have the time. Make something that moves your heart and mind.

If you need a prompt for inspiration, try writing about creation. Approach it from any direction that appeals to you. You are the best judge of what you should do. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below, so that I and others can see what you made.

If you liked what you read, or if you have suggestions, please leave me a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 160

Journal entry:

Today’s poem uses the wordle at The Sunday Whirl. The words in italics were suggested there. If you are in need of inspiration please visit that site.

Heart Songs

Our current paths trace
A rough draft through our spare days
And blend together
Easing the racket into
A soft and gentle refrain.

The crack of our smile
Diminishes our temper
With a winding string
Of happiness we can latch
Onto every single day.

We strike out anew
Each morning with a full chest
Accomplishing all
Our imagination draws
Our hearts toward finishing.

We write beautiful
Lines across the fabric of
The whole universe,
Our lives are songs woven through
The moments of passing time.

Great inspiration
Wells up within us bringing
Anticipation
That we will create pleasing
Things which stand throughout the years.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Sunday, June 17, 2012

Photographs:

The church we attended today…

Another view…

I am grateful:

1.   Leigh visited and carried off our trash last night.
2.   Laura invited me to church.
3.   I woke up in plenty of time to get ready this morning.
4.   I enjoyed the Catholic church services.
5.   Alex is doing well even though he is in Afghanistan.

I hope you are having a pleasant Sunday. If you have not already, take time to create something. You have the gift of creativity needed to accomplish something of great worth.

If you need a prompt today and choose not to use the wordle mentioned above, write about your relationship with your father or being a father. Should you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

I would love to know what you think of today’s entry, so please leave me a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 159

Journal entry:

Growing Older

Every day closer
To the ending of my days,
My life marches on
Likely now closer to end
Than nearer its beginning.

My limbs grow weaker
Than in years so quickly passed,
My hair is stranded
With thinning threads of pure white
I do not fight to cover.

My mind once quite strong
Now fades like my memories,
Not learning new things
Nearly as fast as I like,
Gradually losing thoughts.

The child of my youth
Becomes fully an adult
So masterfully
Handling all his own affairs
Without my guiding input.

My usefulness grows
Always less valuable
Though I still attempt
To maintain my importance
In the daily scheme of things.

However, I shall
Not give in to my decline
I shall fight each day
To stay my true steadfast course
And keep my full dignity.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Saturday, June 16, 2012

Photographs:

Monte Verde pen and journal…

Another Monte Verde pen and journal…

I am grateful:

1.   I took a nap today.
2.   I have good books to read.
3.   My camera takes great pictures.
4.   I am learning more about poetry.
5.   I have internet service that connects me to the world.

Have you been busy on this marvelous Saturday? I hope you will take time to do something creative. If you need a prompt, write a reflection on the passage of time. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments.

Please leave me a comment expressing your thoughts about this entry.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 158

Journal entry:

In Media Rests

“Things are worse than you
Imagined, but better than
They seem,” or so they
Tell you every day when you
Turn on your picture machine.

“So many things going
Wrong at an incredible
Rate, but hang in there
An upturn is just around
The corner,” they inform you.

“The economy
Is getting better, but no
It is getting worse,”
They cannot seem to decide;
There is no one you can trust.

“The government cares
About your plight, but sorry you
Do not qualify
For any kind of extra
Help,” they tell you with a smile.

“Keep doing your best,
You will finally get rest
When others are blessed
With their full measure of your
Happiness,” they but confess.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Friday, June 15, 2012

Photographs:

I am grateful:

1.   Leigh, my niece, called last night.
2.   Laura, my daughter-in-law, called this afternoon.
3.   I am not a total failure.
4.   God’s love is available.
5.   Life goes on.

I hope your Friday has been enjoyable. Take time to do something that exercises your imagination and creativity. If you need a prompt try to write something that includes a play on words. It could be a saying you twist a bit or words that sound similar, but mean something different. If you use the prompt, please leave your link in the comments.

If you care to, please leave me a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 157

Journal entry:

My poem today is in answer to the prompt at Poetic Asides, which was posted too late for me to use yesterday. You should visit Robert Lee Brewer’s blog for inspiration.

Meeting Brings Hope

When I met you there
I did not know you would change
My whole world with love
That you offered me without
Any type reservation.

When I met you there
I did not know I needed
You to bring me joy,
I believed my life was fine
Even though much I struggled.

When I met you there
I did not know happiness
Could fully engulf
My life in such wonderful
Intensity every day.

When I met you there
I did not know that I lacked
A full outpouring
Of unconditional love
Throughout all my fitful days.

When I met you there
I did not know a puppy
Would bring me such peace,
Brightening every moment
That is shared in your presence.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Thursday, June 14, 2012

Photographs:

Close up of Hope…

Hope…

I am grateful:

1.   I have an active imagination.
2.   I enjoy playing with words.
3.   I have the opportunity to write.
4.   I am a member of some communities that nourish my creativity.
5.   God abundantly blesses me.

I hope you have had a good Thursday. Now is the time for you to do something creative if you have not already. Don’t worry over perfection, just create. You can improve your work later.

If you need a prompt, write about writing. I always find when I explore this subject that I have plenty of material. I think you will discover the same thing. Write a poem or essay, or even a story about writing. You can explore numerous possibilities with this prompt.

Please leave me a comment and share your thoughts.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 156

Journal entry:

Grace

You are a bright light
In the firmament of life
Shining out over
Those you connect with during
The restless hours of your day.

Use kind words to voice
Your hearty encouragement,
Nourishing others
Who may be losing their way
In the trials of their rough days.

You have the power
To decorate other lives
With lasting beauty
Through your use of cheerful praise,
Bringing sweet inspiration.

Be reassuring,
Be a real positive force,
Lend your full support
To the people who come in
Contact with you every day.

You are commissioned
By the Creator to be
An agent of good
Bringing happiness and joy
To fellow inhabitants.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Photographs:

My counselor years ago gave me this before she left the area…

My daughter-in-law, Laura, gave this to my Mom…

I am grateful:

1.   My Mom is here with me.
2.   My dog, Hope, is a calming influence.
3.   I am able to think, write, and create.
4.   The air conditioner works.
5.   We have a well that supplies us with good water.

I hope your Wednesday has been full of pleasantness. Make time to do something creative, no matter how simple. Write down your thoughts about the day, snap a picture of something that delights you, or write a poem that expresses positive energy. You do not have to do any of these perfectly, just make an effort.

Today there was no prompt on the site where I usually get inspiration on Wednesday, so I had to write my poem on my own. In case you are floundering for a subject to write about, try a poem or story about grace. You can approach it from any number of directions. I would love to see what you create, so if you use my prompt, please leave your link in the comments so I can read your musings.

If you have comments or suggestions, leave them below.

Always,
Jo Ann

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