One Step, One Handhold, At A Time

01/04/2016

You get your prompt at the beginning today. You were not expecting that, were you? I usually make you wait so you read what else I have written…

Climbing is hard work, but each milestone along your path brings special gifts which encourage you to continue. What have you gained as you work to fulfill your dream? What has inspired you to reach greater heights? Share your accomplishments to motivate yourself and others.

Now create something from this prompt. You are a creative person and have the ability to complete anything you desire. This is a simple exercise.

Get busy!

I stayed up all night. This seems to be becoming a pattern. One crash night and day, then one night and day into night and on to the morning staying up. Might be a little manic going on here. Watching it closely. I also seem to have an overabundance of ideas soaring through my mind.

Going to share a few thoughts I have been entertaining with you all. I have never considered journalism as an outlet for my talents, but since I have been reading The New York Times and Atlanta Journal – Constitution fairly regularly, I have come to think I might have something to contribute in this format. I know many writers got their start in the business through newspapers and periodicals. I am a little afraid my credentials will not stand me in good stead in this market, but all they can tell me is no. I have heard no before, and guess what? It has not killed me. I am tough, well, at least I can dodge with the best of them. I have no college degree, but have done a great deal of self-motivated learning through reading and free courses online. I have no particular publishing credits, but I have edited and published a desktop produced magazine. I have written since I was a very young child. This is my life. Words carry me, nourish me, move me toward achieving my purpose.

I have worked as a volunteer Publicity Chairman for Sweetwater Camera Club doing page layout and design for almost four years with a local ad funded magazine called The Chapel Hill News & Views. I doubt they will pay me, but I think they might be willing to publish some articles. I have not asked yet, but I have some ideas. I am thinking of doing some public interest pieces and some health articles. I have ideas of people to interview.
The question is; do I have the skills necessary? If you have an opinion, please share it with me in the comments below.

I am reading a new motivational book, which I will cover in more detail later, but it reinforces the ideas I have been having about doing something that gets me more into public view. I cannot have significant impact on people’s lives without widespread publication. Blogging, and social media alone are not enough to reach many. I want to encourage, inspire, motivate, and empower others to become creators who influence their destinies through what they create. I think I have ideas worth sharing.

I hope that by helping others I can also help myself and become self-sufficient. I want to share my challenges, but I want to overcome them so they no longer define me. I want to be measured by what I accomplish, not a disease I cannot control. I have struggled, but I want to shine. God willing, I can do things that in my own power are not possible.

I am doing a gratitude list again today. Join me by noting your blessings. It seems to bolster my positive attitude and you may find it helpful to you too.

I Am Grateful:

1) I went to physical therapy, although I really did not want to go.

2) I gave the staff some bookmarks and a box of cookies.

3) I helped a friend today.

4) Even though I have been very negative lately my best friend has not deserted me.

5) I started reading a great motivational book on Kindle.

6) I did not lose my stylus though it dropped out of my phone case several times.

7) Hope talked to me when I came home. She is so adorable.

8) My mentor and I talked a while this evening.

9) Since SunTrust was closed, I came home sooner than I planned.

10) The SYNC system in the Explorer worked better than ever.

This space held a poem yesterday. I am not convinced I can poem today. I shall try:

As I Climb

I am blessed with
A gift the Creator wants
Me to share freely,
Or I do not believe He
Would have given it to me.

I need to pull up
Through my depths of poverty,
Becoming myself
Sufficient to support my
Own needs without assistance.

I am strong enough
To carry my own heaviness
Without you others
Looking after me without
Wanting to do, charity.

I know I have worked
And my benefits are mine,
But some are jealous;
They see me as parasite
Unworthy of such little.

I want more, freedom,
Choice to have the many things
Denied me so long,
I want health, I want wealth, and
I want to hold my head high.

So now undaunted
I will climb much higher up
Reaching lofty prize
Of the life I have long dreamed
I deserved to live and share.

I am blessed with
A gift the Creator wants
Me to share freely,
Or I do not believe He
Would have given it to me.

I finished up just at midnight. Pardon this poem if it is a bit crass. I hope you enjoy most of this bit of thinking in ink. I have done a poor job, I am afraid, but I am a bit tired this late. Sleep, the pillow and sheets call.

May each of you create your dream come true. Please take time to subscribe to this blog if you enjoyed reading it. I would love to hear from you if you would leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 127

Journal entry:

Open Hands And Heart

Come with me, I said
Without a reservation,
I only wanted
To be followed much further
Than ever I had before.

I needed to have
His full cooperation,
His full intention,
To share my life and my love
Though I knew it might not last.

I took his hand in
Mine and led him much deeper
Than I had allowed
Anyone’s reach within my
Heart in all the years before.

Possibilities
Surrounded us with questions,
But we held answers
To life, love, and existence
Inside our relationship.

Come with me, I said
Full well knowing I could be
Hurt and left behind,
But love was worth sacrifice
Of all my complacency.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Wednesday, May 15, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I decided to go to bed at 3:00 this morning instead of staying up all night.
2.   I got up feeling quite rested at 7:30am.
3.   Mom’s procedure went well with no complications.
4.   We ate at IHOP.
5.   I took a nap this afternoon.

This Wednesday was a good day. I hope you accomplished much of what you planned today. Now I encourage you to busy yourself with creative work. No doubt you can make something wonderful if you apply yourself. Creativity enriches the world, and yours is vital to enhancing the lives of those you touch. Do not discount your gifts. You have amazing talent and I know you can make a contribution to the global community. You may feel you have a small reach, but every person you touch influences others and your words or art may drive them to achieve more than they could without your prompting.

As a prompt use the words, “Than ever I had before,” in a poem, story, or journal entry. See where it leads you. 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 have enjoyed your visit and encourage you to return often. You might also want to subscribe to Chronicles by email. I am very interested in any thoughts, suggestions, or criticism you may have to share, so 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 108

Journal entry:

Casting Out Crazy

It is time to put
All these unreasonable
Thoughts away and shut
Them in a box where they can
Stay, forever and a day.

I wish it was that
Simple to take back control,
But wrestling with thoughts
Is not an easy game to
Play, especially today.

Casting out crazy
Is much harder than I thought
It would ever be,
Because I am unsure of
Myself, not trusting of me.

There is no one to
Talk to who I believe can
Fully understand,
Because it is all plainly
And surely insanity.

I do not have such
Answers as will put my mind
Finally at ease,
So I am casting about
For another fantasy.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Friday, April 26, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I was not rushed this morning.
2.   Mom was able to have her appointment with the PA today.
3.   The technician was able to increase the strength of the stimulation Mom receives.
4.   We had a nice lunch at Wendy’s.
5.   I was able to do what was needed for my test so I do not have to return to that office anytime soon.

My Friday has about driven me out of my mind, but parts of it went well. The parts that are messed up, are some upon which I choose not to dwell. I am hoping my mind will somehow let them go. I hope your day was much less stressful and more enjoyable. Right now I encourage you to busy yourself doing creative work. If I can manage it in my present state of mind, I am sure you can do something of greater worth.

As a prompt, write about a time you did not trust in yourself. This might be sometime your self confidence was low, or a time you did not feel quite sure you knew how to act. 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 apologize for the material being a bit bizarre this time, hopefully I will regain some stability soon. I do hope you will visit again, you might also consider subscribing to Chronicles by email. If you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism to share, please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 94

Journal entry:

Dogwood here on property at dawn…

This poem was prompted by my trip down to visit an old friend, but it also answers the prompt at Poetic Asides. Go visit that site for inspiration.

The Machine

It sits discarded,
Broken, a sad dinosaur,
It outlasted those
Who knew its name, we are left
With its moldering body.

Still I remember
When it was a useable
Piece of equipment,
Even then it was old, needing
Coaxing to make it work well.

Where do old tractors
Go to die, when only ghosts
Of operators
Linger in the memories
Of those who are left behind?

Their broken bodies
Haunt the landscape of acres
Where they were once used
To mold land for their owners
Whose descendants now remain.

Caterpillar made
No junk, but I recall Dad’s
Curses over this
One he often deemed a piece
Of God forsaken rubbish.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Friday, April 12, 2013

The Machine…

I am grateful:

1.   I stayed up all night.
2.   I finished getting the SCC Contest Winners for April posted.
3.   I walked all over the property this morning with camera in hand.
4.   I made my appointment with the chiropractor.
5.   I caught the mess at Sam’s Club before I went out the door.

The other side of The Machine…

This Friday had its ups and downs. I am not sure which won. I hope your day was rewarding and filled with blessings. Now that you have time get busy creating. You have plenty of talent with which to enlighten the world.

This reminds me of Japanese prints… Wisteria after storms…

As a prompt, write about a childhood memory that still has a presence in your life. Maybe this is physical, like The Machine, or it can be an influence. Write a poem, story, or journal entry that portrays this remembrance. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Birdcage from my childhood… then it was golden…

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you enjoyed your stay and will come again often. You might want to enter your email address in the space above to receive future updates from Chronicles. If you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism, please leave me a comment.

Mom, Hope, and Ko-Ko during the night…

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 35

Journal entry:

Needs Confirmation

I made the request
Aloud hoping that would make
It reality,
Prayers I most often raise up
Silently, but not this one.

I know the answer
Will come quietly without
A spoken word, but
I will feel it applied to
My heart and within my life.

Sometimes I wish all
God’s acts were visible to
My eyes so I was
Certain about His answers,
But I must accept by faith.

Faith is the problem,
I have so very much doubt…
Perhaps disease is
In part to blame, but I must
Dispense with my unbelief.

The scriptures are clear,
There should be no confusion…
And yet I wrestle
With my overwhelming doubt,
I plead, Jesus give me peace.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Tuesday, February 12, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I spoke to Alex last night.
2.   I was able to pay bills by phone and computer, saving time and effort.
3.   I have a warm place to sleep.
4.   I have plenty of food to eat.
5.   I can write, even if my writing is not very good.

This was a quiet Tuesday for me. I hope your day passed easily. Commit yourself to exercising your creativity and it will make your time more worthwhile. You have much to share with the world, if only you apply yourself.

As a prompt, concentrate on details of your surroundings and add them into your work. Write a poem, story, or journal entry that has a sense of place. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you for spending some of your precious time here with me. If you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism to share, please leave a comment. I hope you will visit often, but for email updates you can subscribe to Chronicles.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 34

Journal entry:

Literary Outcomes

Thinking on paper
Can change the world or get you
Serious trouble,
The words you record make all
The difference in results.

You can encourage
So many people through your
Positive manner,
Or you can stir up unrest
With your provocative words.

Only one thing is
Certain, if you write you will
Without any doubt
Touch hearts of many others
And have impact on the world.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Monday, February 11, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I have accomplished a lot today.
2.   I was able to remain in my pajamas.
3.   The commode has not malfunctioned since yesterday.
4.   Mom enjoyed the supper I prepared.
5.   I may be able to relax a bit tonight because I am ahead on my tasks.

It has been a rainy day in Georgia, but I still enjoyed my Monday. I hope your day has been very pleasant. I encourage you to engage your imagination and create something. Every time you make a creative effort you enrich the universe.

As a prompt, explore your feelings about writing. Do you have a positive relationship with your work, or are you more ambivalent? Whatever your thoughts, record them. Please leave a link to your work in the comments should you use this prompt.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I really appreciate your taking time to read my entry. If you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism to share with me, please leave a comment. I would love for you to visit repeatedly, but so you will not miss an entry you can subscribe to Chronicles by email.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 29

Journal entry:

Shooting Predators

The birds of prey were
Beautiful as they flew from
Place to place with grace.

The owl and the hawks
Fascinated spectators
As they watched in awe.

The birds swooped over
Heads almost, but not touching
Me as I watched them.

Cameras could not
Capture the full excitement
Felt by everyone.

You had to be there
With the wings flapping wildly
Stirring up the air.

I will go again
And next time my photographs
Will be much better.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Wednesday, February 6, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I got up when the alarm went off and did not go back to bed.
2.   I finally chose a shirt to wear.
3.   The weather was beautiful today and the butterflies were out.
4.   Footlong sandwiches are on sale this month at Subway.
5.   After much trying I was able to get my contacts out.

I hope your Wednesday was wonderful. There were parts of my day I enjoyed and parts that were quite disappointing. I took hundreds of photos today and only a few are worth sharing. The effort is the thing, nothing is achieved without practice. Now I urge you to put your creativity to work and give the world something to contemplate. You are so talented and I believe in your ability.

As a prompt, write about something you are attempting that challenges you. Trying new settings on my camera caused me dismay, hopefully your activity is less trying. Write a poem, story, journal entry, or note that explores this topic. Leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you for reading my blog. I hope my struggles give you hope, you can do anything I can do, only better. If you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism, please leave me a comment. Following Chronicles is simple, just enter your email address in the area above and you will get future updates.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 334

Journal entry:

Moments Passing

The clock,
The calendar,
The hours, the days move on,
Taking us forward into our
Futures unfolding quickly before each
Of us in unending array
Of strange situations
That surprise us
In time

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Saturday, December 8, 2012

Photographs:

I am grateful:

1.   I woke up early this morning.
2.   We have free Showtime for three months.
3.   My replacement book came from Amazon.
4.   We had soup and salad for supper.
5.   God loves me extravagantly and completely.

It has been a quiet day here. I hope your Saturday has been filled with joy. Now I encourage you to use your creativity to make something wonderful to share with the world. You can do this if you only make the effort.

As a prompt, use the words: clock, calendar, hours, days; in a poem, story, or journal entry. I know you can create something even better than I did, if you will try. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

I am so grateful you took time to visit my blog. If you enjoyed Chronicles, consider subscribing to the blog. I would welcome your thoughts, suggestions, or criticism, so please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 316

Journal entry:

Today’s poem answers the prompts from Poetic Asides and Carry On Tuesday. Either of these sites might give you writing fodder, or you could combine the two as I did.

Imagine Gathering More

Imagine there was
A gathering of the saints
Who have gone before
To advise you in daily
Endeavors and teach kindness.

Imagine you were
To allow your wayward heart
To open wide and
Facilitate gathering
Help for those less fortunate.

Imagine you set
Aside your own selfish goals
To be a blessing
To a bigger gathering
Of friends and acquaintances.

Imagine going
Out of your way to reach more
Of the gathering
Poor who need benevolence
From you and many others.

Imagine God and
His angels are gathering
Round urging you to
Be so much more than ever
You have dreamed or imagined.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Photographs:

I am grateful:

1.   I still have time to pay the bills this month.
2.   Jeremy invited us to Thanksgiving dinner.
3.   Sam’s Club Pharmacy exchanged a $214.00 prescription for a $98.00 one.
4.   I was able to get a pecan pie and lemon meringue pie.
5.   I wrote a poem despite being unable to think of anything to write upon first seeing the prompt.

Tuesday is a good day to try to get affairs in order when there is a holiday later in the week. I hope your day was rewarding. Now that you are relaxing, it is time you turn your hand to creating something. I know you may feel you cannot do it, but I have faith in your ability. Just make the effort and you may surprise yourself.

As a prompt, write about your Thanksgiving plans. You might do a journal entry as I did, or you might be inspired to write a story or poem that describes what you will be doing. Just write. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

I am so glad you visited my blog, please come back again. If you would like updates in your inbox, follow Chronicles. Your input is valuable so please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

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