Waning Moon Contentment

And now the moon is waning - getting smaller - until it is new again. During the waning moon, the energy changes, and we move gradually into the yin phase - slow down, go within, and focus on inner work. I back off a bit on actively pursuing my goals, and allow the ease of being a loving, thoughtful person to carry me towards my dreams.

Now that the excitement of the preparations for my son's wedding and celebration with all my extended family (followed by a very fun toddler birthday party) are all behind me, I can settle into contented contemplation of my joyful memories and day-to-day enjoyment of the warmer spring days.

 

Agenda:
1. Read (and Practice) the Happiness Habit

2. Monthly journal brainstorm

3. Surrender, rest, recuperate

4. Toddler Play

1. Read (and Practice) the Happiness Habit:

I'm reading a book called "Happiness is a Habit: Simple Daily Rituals that Increase Energy, Improve Well-being, and Add Joy to Every Day", by Michele Phillips.

Habit 18 is Only Let into Your Life the Things You Want to Influence You. She's talking about "toxic people" here; though she doesn't use that catchphrase. "You may think that you can handle being in a relationship with someone who is negative or doesn't share your values, but in the long run this will wear on you and they will bring you down." 

This philosophy doesn't work for me - I don't believe that we can just weed out everyone who brings us down and call it a day! Where do you draw the line? EVERYONE has negative days, and (because I'm an introvert) all people drain my energy. My preferred process is to be aware and set limits. I currently do have one person who's phone calls I don't return, but most people are on a spectrum somewhere between Talk to with Caution / Set Firm Limits and Best Friends / Trust to Infinity.

Habit 19 is Motivate with Music. "Think about what type of music moves you, or what artists get you tapping your feet and feeling better about life. Make it a point to put them in your life on a more regular basis."

Habit 20: Spend time in Self Reflection.  She has a list of queries starting with "Who are you and where are you going?"

Habit 21: Journal. "Research has shown that writing forces you to organize the thoughts that were once bouncing around in your head."

I only got halfway through this book before it was due back at the library, so I'll pick it up again sometime in the future for Habits 22 - 44.

2. Monthly journal brainstorm:

During the waning moon, journaling takes on a new importance. I'm engaged in inner work, and journalling is one way I access my Inner Guide. At the new moon (next Monday) I will transition from a focus on Joy to a different theme, and a whole new field of opportunity. Today I will write down my goals, dreams, and exciting ideas for the next 30-days. This exercise has three parts:

Part One - collect information. Brainstorm goals, dreams, and exciting ideas for the next month without judgement - include at least a few crazy, improbable notions. 

-Start with a list of seasonal themes and celebrations, vacations, and other events (Garden abundance, mural bike ride, a new toddler pre-school routine, weekly worship sharing, Summer Solstice celebration);

-Next, write a list for each of my top priorities - anything that that comes to mind that I want to do or need to do, as long as it fits with my priorities (Paint outside in my garden, find my balance of simplicity and abundance);

-Also, read back through my journal, circle ideas that make me feel the excited and energized right now, and add these to the list (Set up an outdoor craft station for toddler play).

Part 2 - reflect. Have a little chat with myself on paper about the next month of my life, and what my best month would look like, moving me in the direction of my most important reasons for living:

-Write about my biggest priorities this month, how they might fit into my life, and how they connect to my values and principles.

-Write about possible obstacles and factors such as the weather, upcoming schedule changes, or money problems.

-Write about the parts that excite me and the parts that might be hard to find motivation for.

Part 3 - weigh the possibilities. Take a break for a few minutes. Get a fresh cup of coffee or go outside to look at the sky, then come back and read what I wrote. Write a very brief synopsis of the next month of my life.

June is a transition to summer, and summer means freedom and adventure: Outdoor living, garden tea parties, painting outside, maybe swim classes... I will study how I might lighten my load to make room for summer expansiveness, and find my balance point between simple living and abundance.

3. Surrender, rest, recuperate: 

This next few days is a time to be empty; the time for striving is past. As the moon’s light fades into darkness I get to relax and surrender to the universe. 

Some things will always be out of my control. As the moon's appearance dwindles, I let go of useless beliefs, unreasonable expectations, grudges, defensiveness, projects that don't fit into my life, and anything else that isn't working for me. I turn these all over to the Divine and give thanks, my way of opening to receive new intentions in the new month.

Then I give myself permission to rest!