Waxing Gibbous Moon

The waxing gibbous moon 

Photo by Alan Gillespie

is the not-quite-full moon: Waxing means getting larger, and gibbous means humped or protuberant.

This phase of the moon has the high-energy that provides a push towards completion. In three days, at the full moon, we will turn again towards the yin time of inner activity, so I make an effort in these next few days to finish my tasks that require greater physical effort.

• Waxing Gibbous - Reevaluation, refinements, creativity

Agenda:
1. Journal queries
2. Creative visualization

3. Strong creativity

1. Journal queries:

Right about now, things in my life might feel like they are aligning into a good order, and I will clearly see those things that are out of alignment. It's a good time to take a new look at my goals, reevaluate and refine them, and adjust my plans.

Do I still want to complete all the goals I listed at the new moon?

Which can appropriately be saved to complete in the waning (yin) phase, and which should I make an effort to finish now?

Which can be put off until next month?

What new habits will help me to nurture my ideas and projects? What creative shifts in thinking or acting can I take now?

2. Creative visualization

My new, very small file cabinet -
See it filled only with essential papers.

At the gibbous moon, my last push for action, I call on the practice of visualization to help bring my goals to fruition. Today I'm choosing my top three action goals to shine a light on:

1. Paint another abstract landscape, and post new paintings online.

2. Work on Climate Revolutions new petition page. 

3. Finish cleaning mold in the bedrooms.

4. Finish clearing out my old filing cabinet.

Creative visualization is a technique that uses my imagination to create change. It has three steps:

• First, center and relax each part of my body; count from 10 to 1, then open a connection to Spirit. Feel a soft warmth begin to grow and spread through me, until I am radiating quiet energy.
• Second, create a clear, detailed picture in my mind, as though the objective has been reached, and put as much positive energy into the image as possible. [Paint a vivid mental image of exactly how my files will look when I remove all the non-essential papers, and how restful it will feel to know exactly what it now contains.] 
• Lastly, affirm that this is what I want with a short positive phrase in the present tense; for example, "Clearing out all this paper will create ease of mind, now for me, and later for my family."

The thought-image is like a signal-flare that guides the physical thing or deed to manifest in my life (or it's just a good way to keep my intentions in my mind). I will carry the vision of the completed goal with me, and focus on it often during the day, in a gentle manner.

3. Strong creativity:

Rock Garden (unfinished)

My intention for creativity:

I intend to be creative, expand my perspective (think outside the box), have the courage to take creative risks, and express myself with words and art, because my creativity is from and of God, and is the voice of my soul.

I've been working for a month now on my theme of "Abstract Landscape" and I've finished three paintings. But lately I've been slipping back into that old bad habit of giving my painting time a lower priority: When something comes up, like an extra morning with my grand-baby, or a need to pick up library books, it's my painting time that gets bumped. 

I recognize this behavior! It's the Anxiety of Apathy, telling me "It just seems like too much work, and I'm not feeling creative. I'll do it later. I’ve got lots of cleaning to do, and that’s important too. It's probably not a good idea anyway." Apathy is perfectly normal, perfectly terrible, and also irrelevant! I simply must find the strength to paint, no matter what. If I am an artist then I must persistently make art; it’s that simple. 

How to have Strong Creativity:

Be prepared: List what I need to prepare for each of my working days this week - take the photos I need, gather the supplies, and set up to paint in advance. Turn on the heater at 11:15, and set a timer for 11:45.

Face the moment consciously. When the timer rings, and  I need to choose whether to work or not, be deliberate and choose to say yes.

Be belligerent! To start strong I need unrelenting commitment. Refuse the apathy and start with vigor and fiery energy. Maintain the yes as I negotiate the walk to my studio and begin to work.

Revel in the active aloneness. Light a candle, and pause just for a minute to notice and enjoy the silence and peace of starting a project in my solitary studio.