New Moon Retreat Day

The New Moon is next Wednesday, which is also the start of Lent, so I decided to slide into a new moon perspective early, because I've got more time for contemplation today.

Agenda:

1. Retreat Day

2. Choose a month theme 

3. Choose goals and set intentions

1. Retreat Day:

If at all possible, I schedule a day of retreat on the new moon, or near to it: I do less talking, less business, and more personal thought and action. I have most of today alone (except for a composting workshop this morning), and it will be the last sunny day for a while, so I plan to be outdoors as much as possible.

2. Choose a month theme:

Today I choose my theme for this moon cycle, and think about how to grow into it. My theme for the Budding Moon is strength against the storm. 

Picture an unexpected storm; thunder shakes the earth and heavy spring rain falls- everything and everyone are surprised into creative action, and great changes are set in motion.

Shocks and sudden unforeseen problems cycle through my life like stormy weather. This is a difficult quality for me, very yang. The sudden distress makes me uncomfortable, but if I pause and lean in to the discomfort I'll see that it's an invigorating place to be. I'll see that it's not about ME.

Just as I need my home to be in good repair to weather a storm, I need to be strong myself. When I am physically and mentally strong, I thrive on moving forward without the baggage of fears and grudges. Strength goals might have to do with improving my vitality, my strength of mind and resilience, courage to act on a new idea, making lifestyle changes, or repairing and strengthening my physical infrastructure.

3. Choose goals and set intentions:

Last week I brainstormed some wild and crazy ideas for March, and today it's time to narrow it down a little, to the priority items that I could possibly focus on this next month. This isn't a list of the practical things I need to do this month; rather it's my top actions, studies, and growth goals that fit with the "taste" of this month of my life.

After I list my top 10-20 goals for the next 30 days, I'm ready to set some intentions for action.

Goals are a plan for the future that help us stay on track with who we are becoming. 

Intentions are a pledge for action in the present; they remind us of who we are now, and our deepest, most essential, most passionate reasons for living. I write my intentions in present tense, and I use this model: action + deepest reason.

This is a very time-consuming but important process. I'm going to choose a few to write today - those I might act on today - then work on a few more each day this week.

I intend to fast from buying new plastic (as much as possible) for Lent - I won't buy anything that comes in a plastic container unless I'm sure it's recyclable, and I'll continue to experiment with plastic alternatives, because everyday objects account for the top ten items in the plastic waste found on beaches; my purpose for this fast is to strengthen my discipline, and become more aware of how my buying habits impact the earth.

 

I intend to become rooted in awareness of Creation and Creator - of my body and my environment, of that-of-God in all of life, and of how my behaviors and actions impact those around me - because building a strong and intimate connection to, and understanding of, Creation is how I will fuel climate justice work that I can sustain.