Ramblings Of A Sleepless Mind

You are not required to stay up all night to reap the benefits of my activity. Please just follow along…

I want to start up my business again, but I don’t have any capital to begin… I guess dreaming is the best I can do. I wish I could win the lottery, but somehow I think that is unlikely since I do not buy tickets… If wishes were horses, beggars would ride…

My dog, Hope, has expensive tastes, she likes pistachios. I can hardly afford them for myself, what am I supposed to do now that the dog begs for them whenever I get the bag out?

What’s on your mind? Funny you should ask, because I have been thinking about trying to start my magazine up online. It would be a literary and art magazine showcasing a wide variety of talent as it was when I published it in print form. I do not know if I have a wide enough network to gather submissions, and I am not sure I have the discretionary time to afford all the effort required, but I am considering it. I have the prerequisite software for it and I think I might be able to secure web hosting… Am I ready to take the reins as editor and publisher again? It is not an easy job, for writers are sometimes troublesome, but I like a challenge… I wonder if I am too old to begin doing it again. It is a huge task and requires diligence… So that is what is on my mind…

Have you ever noticed that as a usual thing every other version Microsoft releases is great? Take Windows 98, great; Windows Millennium, not so good; Windows XP, great; Windows Vista, not so good; Windows 7, great; Windows 8, not so good; Windows 8.1, decent… Why do we beta test for them on every other release? Seems like their software engineers would get it together every time. Maybe they need to quit rushing out versions and wait until they have a solid release…

I just realized it was after 2:00AM… I am wide awake and feeling creative. Why is it that nighttime seems to be the time of ideas for me? I want to be a morning person, but it just does not work for me. I am a hopeless night owl. The daytime world just does not have the appeal of after dark… Is something wrong with me? I wake up when the sun goes down… not the greatest attribute.

I should have known coffee in the afternoon was a mistake, but did that stop me? Not in the least did it dissuade me… Sometimes I disregard the better part of my judgment. So I am up and feeling full of energy halfway through the night…

Why am I still in this place when I really want to move forward? Maybe fear is stopping me, but what is that about? I fear failure, because it is very hard for creatives to succeed. I fear success, because it would overturn all sorts of things in my life. I want to perfect things before I bring them out before others, and that keeps me in a stalled state, because really I can do nothing perfectly.
I am determined to get past these barriers to achieving the life I want, but it is hard… One step I can take is being positive, another step is to gather the material for what I want to accomplish. These are easy things and I should be able to do them, one small step at a time.
I am capable and I believe that my dreams can become a reality, so as I advise others, I must make the effort and continue going forward…

Going With The Flow

Rolling, that is what happens
When you allow time to wash
Over you without resistance,
You roll forward creeping into
Places you never realized you
Were really meant to go.
Time overtakes you and takes
You over the rough spaces
Where intention would not
Allow you to succeed without
A great deal of extra effort
You might unwillingly expend.
Your perfectionism cannot
Hinder you because the momentum
Comes from beyond yourself,
You drift on currents that lift
Your fragile spirits up higher
Than you ever imagined going.
You roll, a creative force,
Unstoppable, moving through
Both time and space with only
One idea to carry you onward,
A positive declaration that you
Will finally accomplish your dreams.

Adjusted the settings on my mouse… Now this clunky mouse works like the best I have ever had. Who knew tweaking the software could make such improvements? Now I think I love the Logitech M705. It is like having a whole new mouse.

Just fixed a cup of coffee because I have decided I want to stay up all day… Should be no problem, the night is nearly over and daylight will soon arrive. Now if only the coffee cup cools down enough that I can drink from it…

Mom gave me some pens she has not used. Ink pens! Gel pens! I love free pens… My Mom is the greatest! Happy, happy, happy!

If you wish to achieve, you must first believe! You can exceed any goal you have decreed! Just continue forward and your effort will manifest what you are working toward!

Coffee! In a seasonal cup, coffee, what more can you ask for?

Fulfilling A Need

What do we want?
Poems!
Where do we get them?
We make them!
How do we do that?
We engage our creativity!
Who benefits?
The people of the world!
Why does it matter?
It wakes people to happiness!
When can we do it?
Now, because time is slipping by!
What do we want?
Poems!

Invitation Only

Come! Whispered on the air,
Inviting you to join
Others already there…
Come! Such gentle care
Exhibited for all,
Do you want to share?
Come! Do you dare
Accept the invitation,
So very fair?
Come! Do not delay
Make your choice right away
While you have the chance today!
Come! Christ beckons,
The Spirit encourages,
Come as your heart reckons!
Come! While time makes way
Because the moments flee quickly
Hearken now for seconds slip away.
Come! Your choice cannot wait,
Be fast to answer the quiet call
For it urgently decides your fate.
Come! Whispered on the air,
Inviting you to join
Others already there…

These are the nighttime, early morning, ramblings of a restless mind. You should join me at Jo Ann J. A. Jordan on Facebook if you would like to follow my adventures there… Lots of things make it there that never see the blog. I only put it all here today because I thought you might like to experience the process.

I am grateful:

1)   I have equipment that helps me reach my creative potential.
2)   I am old enough to choose my bedtime, most of the time anyway.
3)   People still visit my blog, even though I am no longer doing the Creativity Project.
4)   Life is a gift we can enjoy in the moment.
5)   People are a precious blessing when they touch my life.

As a prompt, write a how, what, when, where, who, why poem. If you need an example, reread the one I did above. If you are a visual artist, instead of poet, picture something that explore at least one of the aspects. I know you can do this, and I bet you will enjoy it. Your creativity is at least as bountiful as mine.

Thank you so much for visiting Chronicles and reading this post. You might find it enjoyable to browse the archives. There is much material contained there. If you like what you found here you can subscribe for email updates by entering your address in the space provided.

I hope your day meets your expectations. Generally you get out of the hours in direct proportion to what you invest, so make each moment special.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 131

Journal entry:

My Treasure

You shine
Like the lightning
Streaking through clouds on high,
You dance across earth with the grace
Of a professional ballerina,
You touch hearts with outstanding charm,
No one can resist you,
Yet you are mine
Alone.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Sunday, May 19, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   We did not have thunderstorms.
2.   Our home is on high ground.
3.   My shower helped my sore muscles.
4.   I did not have to cook.
5.   I decided to wait and crush cans another day.

My Sunday was wonderful. I hope you also had a pleasant day. I encourage you to engage your creativity and produce something unique to share with the world. Your gift could mean so much to someone who needs uplifting. I know you can make a positive contribution if you only put forth an effort.

As a prompt, write a poem, story, or journal entry using the words: shine, lightning, streaking, high, dance, clouds, grace, touch, professional, outstanding, resist, alone, charm. These words were taken from my poem above, see what you can make of them.

I am grateful you took a few precious moments to read my blog. I hope you will visit often, but you might also wish to subscribe to Chronicles by email. Any comments you would like to share are welcome.

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 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 117

A letter I will never send:

The following poem was prompted by The Sunday Whirl. The words in italics were found in the wordle there. Should you need a bit of inspiration visit that site.

Traffic Control

Thunderous pulsing
Of a thousand messages
Coming across wires
Moving almost without count,
Definitely without charm.

Others dish them out
With the thick spit of red rage
Drowning words in soup
That pours down the front of each
Person’s fine dressing like mud.

We are strained, stained, left
Flinching under deluge of
Communication,
Taxing imagination,
Killing creativity.

Overcome by thought
Travelling extremely fast,
We cannot compete
Within our own simple minds,
We have to exit the stream.

To find sanity
We must limit the inflow
Of information,
Working to place some order
Upon continuous flood.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Sunday, May 5, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   Dreams in slumber are not reality.
2.   Mom was able to get a bath despite her pain.
3.   Jeremy came by for a few minutes and took off a bag of our trash.
4.   Reba called and has our reborn babies almost ready.
5.   Life sometimes has rewards beyond our expectations.

This Sunday has been relaxing, although Mom is still in a lot of pain. When she sits still it abates somewhat. I hope you have enjoyed your day. If you feel inclined, spend a few moments exploring your creative impulses. There is much you can accomplish if you only make an effort. I have faith in your ability.

As a prompt, write a letter to someone who deserted you. You do not have to send the letter, but you might find material in it that you could otherwise use in a poem, story, or journal entry. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you will find your way back here often, but you might also like to enter your email address in the space provided above and subscribe to Chronicles. Any thoughts, suggestions, or criticism you might offer would be greatly appreciated, 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 109

Journal entry:

Reciprocity

If you were the light
Reflected upon the water,
I would be the waves
On the surface of the sea.

If you were the brightness
Carried on the breeze,
I would rise up
To meet your luminosity.

If you were the breath
Gliding on my fragile edges,
I would be the foam
Reaching up to greet you.

If you were so brief
And totally evanescent,
I would be receptive
Wanting you continually.

If you were the light
Reflected upon the water,
I would be the waves
On the surface of the sea.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Saturday, April 27, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I awoke feeling much more stable than when I went to bed last night.
2.   Leigh called and talked with me a little while.
3.   Linda agreed that I could come to her house and take pictures.
4.   I did some experimenting with ISO.
5.   I took Hope for a walk and found the words I had been searching for all day.

Other than some difficulty with words, my Saturday was wonderful… The words finally arrived, so even that was not a loss. I hope your day was all you hoped it would be. If you have not already, I encourage you to engage your creativity and make a work of artistry. I am quite sure that you are able, if you only make an effort.

As a prompt, use an image from nature to write a LOVE poem. I am certain you can do this… If you prefer a story or journal entry, by all means, do that. If you should use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you have enjoyed your time here and that you will come back often. You might also want to enter your email address in the space provided above and subscribe to Chronicles. I appreciate any comments you may feel like sharing, so please leave one.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 87

I do not have a journal entry for you today. Instead I have the beginning of a story. One that could happen to any of us. My character just happens to be the unfortunate one…

My poem is in answer to the prompts at NaPoWriMo and Poetic Asides. I combined the challenges, but you certainly do not have to do as I have done. Just follow the links for inspiration.

Ample Prospect

I am
Plus sized in more
Ways than you even think
Body, mind, personality;
Plus sized.

You might
Think me a bit
Unattractive, but just
Give me an opportunity
To shine.

I will
Really surprise
You with intelligence,
God given talent that exceeds
Belief.

Take heart,
I will never
Disappoint you because
I am more than you expected;
God blessed.

I am
Plus sized in more
Ways than you even think
Body, mind, personality;
Plus sized.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Friday, April 5, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I stayed up all night working, just lost track of time.
2.   I finished the new Sweetwater Camera Club Featured Members page for the May issue of the Chapel Hill News & Views.
3.   I designed this page from a blank template in InDesign CS6.
4.   My mentor was pleased with my work.
5.   The publisher was happy with it too.

This is the page. The blank space at the bottom is for advertisements that the publisher will add.

I have had an extremely long Friday and am late getting this done, but it has been very rewarding. I hope your day was good. I encourage you to engage your imagination and create something to amuse the world. I know you have the ability if you will only use your creativity.

As a prompt, write about a situation in which words could go amiss. You might write a poem, a story, or a journal entry. This lends itself to tragedy or humor, which will you choose? Please leave a link to your work in the comments below should you use this prompt.

Thank you so much for visiting my blog. I apologize for my lateness with this entry. I could blame it on my mile walk with my puppy dog, Hope, except it was a tremendous joy. I hope you will find your way back here again, but you might want to enter your email address in the space provided above and subscribe to updates from Chronicles. If you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism to share, please leave me a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 80

Journal entry:

Good Friday

The longest hours in
Creation happened on this
Day ages ago,
While my Lord Jesus suffered
Hung upon the cruel cross.

He who did no wrong,
Died for me who does no right,
Expunging sin from
My guilty soul through His blood,
The innocent Lamb of God.

I am so blessed by
The grace He freely bestowed,
I have a great hope
Because Christ died, a pure
Sacrifice, redeeming me.

His separation
From the Father in those hours
Ensured my pardon
And bought me eternity
In His presence in Heaven.

The impossible
Was made possible through God’s
Provision of His
Only Begotten Son who
Died for all sinners like me.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Friday, March 29, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   Mom did not wake me before she left with June this morning.
2.   I vacuumed the floors.
3.   I put down the new rugs for the living room and kitchen.
4.   I was able to dispose of the plant that had died.
5.   Mom got me a new outfit to wear on Easter.

I had a good day, and I hope you also enjoyed this Friday. I wrote my journal entry without any great inspiration and the poem came more easily because I had made some effort. I believe you can do the same. You can creep up on creativity and capture it when unexpected. So get yourself busy.

As a prompt, write from where you are, even if you feel you have nothing to write. Begin and see where you are led. There is magic in the writing. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

I appreciate your visit to my blog and hope you will find your way back often. You might also want to enter your email address in the space provided to subscribe to Chronicles. If you have anything you would like to share with me, please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 78

Journal entry:

Moving Forward

I thought it would be easy
To move beyond those moments
Engraved upon the fabric
Of my fragile memory,
But I was so mistaken.

Those times I still remember
With the starkest clarity,
And though I try to forget,
I am forever haunted
As if it were yesterday.

I guess it was such a loss
Of not just relationship,
But also physical things
Missing in this my present,
That I can hardly let go.

Yet I am now determined
To move myself beyond this
Feeling of deep emptiness,
And rise up to meet these new
Beginnings, full of promise.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Wednesday, March 27, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I am not forced to be perfect.
2.   I have the right to make choices.
3.   My life is full of simple pleasures.
4.   I have people who believe in my abilities.
5.   I am allowed to grow.

I hope your Wednesday went well, mine was a bit short because I slept very late. I encourage you to work creatively in these moments, because there is no time like the present to bring your imagination to life. You have great talent and awesome gifts, if you will only use them.

As a prompt, write about something you have read that has impacted your life. This might be a line, an article, a story, or a book. You should be able to create a poem, story, or journal entry about how you have changed because of these words. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

I am so glad you chose to spend some of your precious time visiting my blog. Thank you. I hope that you will continue to visit 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, please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

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