A Journal Entry, Photographs, and Poetry…

That felt a bit strange, like my pen was rusty. I guess it has every right to be since I have taken a couple of months off. I would like to think I could come back as regular and strong as before, but my heart is not entirely in it. There seems too much going on to pick up where I quit.

Traveling Onward

I had suicide
On my mind
Once upon a time,
But those days are
Long gone in the past.

I am looking forward
Into a future filled
With pleasures I have
Yet to imagine,
Understand, or taste.

Therefore, I will aptly
Leave all these visions
Of death spun rudely
Out behind me and
Chase after happiness.

As I see it now,
God is still in
His Heaven and we
Left here below may
Someday obtain Paradise.

Yes, I did once have
Suicide on my mind,
But I have outlived
Such selfish urges,
Life remains to treasure.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Birth Song

The sun in freedom
Streams across the skies
Lending warmth and light
To us here on Earth,
Keeping our hope alive.

The wind it whispers
With untold stories
Through the leafy trees,
Scattering our dreams
With its easy breeze.

The water washes
Unending against
The soft yielding shore,
Wetting thirsty land
Causing growth galore.

The land allows us
To find shelter in
Places it affords,
Where we can sometime
Live and make abode.

We humans are but
Strangers lodging here,
Only passing quick,
Children wandering
Beneath passing stars.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Wednesday, July 17, 2013

In Simplicity

There is this much
And I know its truth
That I am imperfect,
But worthy of care.

God sees my flaws
Knows my defects
And yet He loves me,
In Him is my perfection.

I long for someone
Who will love me true,
But I know it is hard
To find such affection.

Someday, perhaps
I will meet the man
Who will hold my heart,
And abstain from rejection.

Thank God for family
And friends who help
Me keep heart and soul
Knit tightly together.

There is this much
And I know its truth
That I am imperfect,
But worthy of care.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Saturday, July 20, 2013

A thought I shared elsewhere, but find very true: Only writers and artists give away the secrets of their hearts and souls to strangers they are likely never to meet…

I am grateful:

1)   I have this place in which to share my thoughts with you out there.
2)   Creativity has not abandoned me though I have chosen to take time off.
3)   Good behavior has its own rewards.
4)   Books can impart truths even when they are written fictionally.
5)   We are not abandoned here without love, for even when we are most alone we are caressed by the divine.

I sincerely hope you will find your way back here again. If you have not visited elsewhere on this blog I suggest you go to the about page and the archives to find information about me and enjoy more of the work contained here.

You are a wonderfully creative person who embodies dreams that you can share with the world. Do something creative and let your light shine. Maybe you could write a poem, journal entry, or list detailing something wonderful that has happened in your life recently. Small miracles occur for all of us every day.

I will be back… Until we meet again…

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 153

Journal entry:

Constant Pursuit

Green is the freshness
Of love newly discovered,
It brings you awake
From half contented slumber,
Thrusting you into living.

Green is ultimate
Fulfillment in loving arms
Of the one you have
Dreamed of, waited on, searched for
Throughout each day of your life.

Green is the pleasure
Of seeing your reflection
Mirrored in eyes which
Overflow with unending
Adoration uncontained.

Green is the moment
You break free of the prison
Of hope long deferred
And find yourself wide open
To miraculous passion.

Green is the sweet taste
Of luscious kisses shared with
The person you have
Known within the depths of your
Questing soul forevermore.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Monday, June 10, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I had a very productive day.
2.   I have a heart for encouraging other people and so lift myself from depression.
3.   Beauty surrounds me in all aspects of my life.
4.   I have much more than I deserve.
5.   Love begets more love.

Hope, my inspiration, my companion, my sweetheart…

This was a wonderful Monday because I accomplished more than I expected. I hope your day was also blessed. You have witnessed how I let my mind carry me to new insights through the creative process. I invite you to engage your imagination in a similar way. You can make your dreams come true if you only make a concerted effort. Do not put off your fulfillment… Do your work now.

As a prompt, write some affirmations that lift your heart and might encourage others. Even if you are feeling downtrodden, I know there are many blessings in your life, because there are in mine. Write them in a poem, story, or journal entry, and share a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you will come back often and explore the many entries here. You might also want to subscribe to Chronicles by email so that you do not miss my updates. Your comments are always welcome, so do not hesitate to leave your thoughts, suggestions, or criticism.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 86

Today I wrote a bit of story, instead of journaling:

I combined the prompts from NaPoWriMo and Poetic Asides to create my poem. If you need a little nudge to get your muse in action, please visit those sites.

Hold That Jaundiced Outlook

Don’t look at me with
Envious accusing eyes,
I have just as much
A right to express myself
As do you loftier ones.

You may still believe
Your advantages will buy
You a greater share
Of everyone’s attention,
But I own a voice as well.

Keep those unfair thoughts
Within your own shuttered minds,
Without spreading your
Bitterness throughout this our
Fair social environment.

My experience
Is worthy of chronicling
Just as is your own
With great creativity
And wild imagination.

Remember freedom
Belongs to each one of us
No matter our wealth,
We are fortunate people
Who can achieve all our dreams.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Thursday, April 4, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I got up in time to go to town today.
2.   The CHN&V magazines were available at the mall.
3.   I had my Droid and was able to call Mom at home.
4.   Wal-Mart still had Easter candy and I was able to get some at half price.
5.   It did not rain on me while I was out.

My Thursday went quite well. I hope your day was pleasurable. If you are not too busy, I recommend you engage your creativity and make something you can share with others. It can be writing, photographs, crafts, art, or anything you can imagine. The point is to use the multitude of talent that lies within you.

As a prompt, write about an unexpected meeting with someone from your past. You might want to write a poem, story, or journal entry to explore the subject. It does not have to be someone you were romantically involved with. It could be a teacher, a friend, a classmate, a business associate, anyone really. 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 will return often, but you might also want to enter your email in the space above and subscribe to Chronicles to receive future updates. If you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism to share, please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 76

Journal entry:

Be Audacious

Do not ever quit…
Be strong and be courageous,
Continue your work;
You have great ability
And much creativity.

Keep your head and hopes
Up, live your full potential,
Accomplish the things
Laid out for you from the start…
Make the best of the moment.

You can be the one…
The hero others cherish,
Just keep on making
A valiant effort to live
The dreams you hold the dearest.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Monday, March 25, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I woke up this morning.
2.   The day was beautiful though there was a chill in the air.
3.   I can read and write.
4.   I can balance a checkbook.
5.   I have friends who support me through prayer.

I had a great Monday and I hope you did the same. I encourage you to set aside some time to work creatively. It will enliven your hours. Anytime you engage your imagination you enrich your life and the lives of those who encounter your work.

As a prompt, write about courage. You might know someone who exhibits the quality, or it might be something from your own experience. If you write a poem, story, or journal entry using this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

I appreciate your taking time to read my blog. I hope you will come back often, but you might also want to enter your email above and subscribe to Chronicles for future updates. If you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism to share, please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 75

A poem instead of a journal entry:

The following poem was prompted by The Sunday Whirl. The wordle there contained the words in italics. If you need inspiration you should visit that site.

Easy Verses

Plain speaking poems
Jar the mind fully awake,
Never forgotten
Across yesterday, today,
In a hurry, tomorrow.

The poem, a tree
Stirred, its roots linger in sand
Of the beloved
Country, wound around and round
Disguised as something special.

Plain speaking poems
Framed by minds awakened to
The English language
From time of understanding
Until thought’s smooth expression.

The poem freely tells
Story of experience
Travelling inside
Imagination’s delight
At its creativity.

Plain speaking poems
Brought to life beautifully
Spreading happiness
Throughout every existence
In past, present, and future.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Sunday, March 24, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   We remained safe through the storms last night.
2.   Mom was able to go to church with me today.
3.   Whoppers were on sale, two for $5.00.
4.   We went to Ross and shopped a while.
5.   Penny ate better this evening.

My Sunday was wonderful. I hope you also enjoyed your day. God is so kind to give us time. I urge you to engage your mind in creating something that will capture some of the precious quality of these moments. You have the talent to dazzle the world if you only apply yourself.

As a prompt, convey some of your feelings on the passage of time. If you write a poem, story, or journal entry in answer to 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 return to visit often, but you might also want to enter your email in the space above and subscribe to future updates on Chronicles. I value your feedback, so please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 45

Journal entry:

Definitely

Defiantly you
Stand up against the whole world’s
Warlike resolve to
Bring you down from your lofty
Creative aspirations.

You have wherewithal
To accomplish everything
You dream of daily
If you will only hold tight
To your steadfast commitment.

Your full devotion
Sets you apart from others
Who are unwilling
To make an all-out effort,
So go forth, conquer the world.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Friday, February 22, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I finally fell asleep at around 5:00 this morning after changing from heavyweight to lighter weight pajamas.
2.   I talked to Janet and found out there is a great field trip planned.
3.   Mom seems less upset with me today.
4.   I talked Jeanine and found out she was able to connect with my doctor.
5.   My niece seems to have resolved her problems with one of her teachers.

This has been a peaceful Friday. I hope your day has been trouble free as well. Before you retire, get busy and do something creative. Engage your imagination in making a work to share with the world.

As a prompt, use the word: definitely, and create a poem, story, or journal entry around it. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

I certainly appreciate you taking time to visit my blog. I hope you will return often, but please also consider subscribing to Chronicles in order to receive email updates. Should you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism to share, please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 323

Journal entry:

My poem today answers the prompts at Poetic Asides. I hope you will visit that site for inspiration.

Shooting Stars

There is light and dark
In everyone, but some are
More to an extreme
Being who we deem heroes
And villains, the best or worst.

We aspire to be
Heroes to our friends and kin,
But it is so rare
We achieve those lofty heights
In their true estimation.

Villains, we do not
Want to be cast as at all,
But sometimes we play
The role without intention
And no way can avoid it.

We best perhaps can
Only hope our lives are bright
Less left in shadow,
Living life courageously,
Whether heroes or villains.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Photographs:

I am grateful:

1.   Penny is doing well.
2.   Mom is feeling somewhat better.
3.   I have an internet connection here at home.
4.   There are wonderful programs I can use on my computer.
5.   I have a computer, which opens up the world of creativity to me.

Tuesday passes by and I hope you enjoyed it. I tried to take it easy today and recuperate. I devoted some time to my creativity and I urge you to do the same. I know it is not always easy to engage the imagination, but if I can do it, so can you.

As a prompt, write about an impossible dream. Maybe you have one, maybe you have conquered one, if so write about it. You have nothing to lose by putting your words into permanent form, and perhaps much to gain. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thanks so much for reading my blog. I would love your input, so please leave a comment. It is easy to follow Chronicles, and then you can get daily updates.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 309

Today I wrote two poems. The first was prompted by Poetic Asides. The second combines the prompts from Poetic Asides and Carry On Tuesday. I hope you will visit these sites for inspiration.

Success Formula

A recipe for
Happiness is doing things
For others in need,
When you help someone else you
Open yourself to blessing.

Even a letter
Sent to one of your sick friends
Can make you feel good,
Whatever you do share your
Love with others around you.

The universe moves
To facilitate sharing
Generously with
Those who are very much in
Need of your kind assistance.

Where there is love there
Is life to live in wonder,
You can share yourself
And you gain greater rewards
Than you ever imagined.

Encourage others
And lift yourself from despair,
Never forget your
Words and actions can change lives,
You might even save your own.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Photographs:

I am grateful:

1.   John Cena beat CM Punk last night.
2.   I slept late this morning.
3.   Mom was able to manage on her own until I got up.
4.   My medication helps me live a good life.
5.   June brought us a pot pie for supper.

I have had a very good day. I hope you enjoyed your Tuesday. I chose to spend some of my time working creatively and I recommend that you do the same. If I can accomplish what I have, you can do so much more. Get busy and make it happen.

As a prompt, write about the distance your words bridge. 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 you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism, please leave a comment for me. While you are here you might want to subscribe to Chronicles.

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 254

Journal entry:

The poem that follows answers the prompt at Poetic Asides. If you are in need of inspiration you should visit that site.

Most Difficult

I was not prepared
To have it go horribly
Wrong, but had no choice
In the course of the events,
God was in complete control.

Pregnancies are by
Nature somewhat uncertain,
Twins even more so,
But complications arose
And there were difficulties.

At times I believed
Everything would be okay,
But I knew the risks
In Twin to Twin Transfusion
Syndrome were very severe.

When one precious twin
Died I was devastated,
Then I had to make
The choice of whether I would
Continue carrying one.

I was told she would
Most probably die also
Or be terribly
Handicapped, so I chose to
Let her go with heavy heart.

Sometimes I still blame
Myself for being selfish,
But I think it was
For the best even though it
Was the hardest choice ever.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Photographs:

I am grateful:

1.   I was able to sleep late.
2.   Alex called me last night.
3.   Laura called and came to pick up the shirts we had bought for Alex.
4.   Life is rewarding.
5.   I have a decent memory.

I hope you have had a wonderful Wednesday. Take some time to engage in a creative endeavor now. You cannot expect to improve your skills if you do not exercise them regularly. Make time to explore your imagination.

As a prompt write about a difficult choice you have made, or a choice that changed the course of your life. This should lead to an interesting piece of work. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you for reading this blog entry. If you enjoyed what you read, perhaps you would like to subscribe to Chronicles. I know you may have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism, so I encourage you to leave me a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

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