First Quarter Moon

Tonight is the First Quarter Moon; we are one-quarter of the way through the moon cycle. The moon is waxing - getting larger - until it's full again. Now is the time to remain flexible, use my obstacles as fuel for growth, and show full effort for priorities.

Agenda Today:

1. Read Writing and Being

2. Write an epigraph

3. Journal queries

4. Choose a self-cultivation project

5. Make a full effort plan

1. Read Writing and Being:

I'm reading from a book that has been sitting my shelf for a few years, "Writing and Being: Embracing Your Life Through Creative Journaling," by G. Lynn Nelson (2004).

I'm reading chapter three: Seeking Silence. "Just as music depends or its meaning upon the empty spaces between the notes, our words must have silence around them or they, too, lose their meaning. If I do not seek quietness around me, I cannot hear the words that my heart whispers."

This chapter is about the importance of finding time to be alone, to meditate, to sit and contemplate, and to write in your journal.
This is how we "tap the true power of the writing-and-being process".

2. Choose an epigraph:

The journal exploration for chapter three is called Exploring Your Epigraph. An epigraph is a short quotation at the beginning of a chapter to set a tone for what will follow. The task is to find a quote that fits at the beginning of my journal, and then write something that flows from this quote I choose.

I've been using epigraphs with my other blog, Seasonal Reflections on Unity with Nature: A journal of Earthcare thought and action for Eugene Friends Meeting.

Here's what I've chosen for this coming week, for a post called "Becoming the Quakers that Nature Needs".

“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference and you have to decide what kind of a difference you want to make.”
—Jane Goodall

3. Journal queries:

Today, at the first quarter moon, I prepare to give full effort to my priorities; I remember that for each opportunity in life there is a challenge. 

My theme this month is discernment, and the challenge to clarity and discernment is confusion. If I’m mystified about the direction I want to take I can’t be aware of my path. The practices for meeting this challenge are centering and listening within.

Which of my priorities am I having the most trouble acting on this month?

What potential challenges and obstacles do I face this week and month (things I don’t enjoy, don’t know how to do, or feel blocked on) and how can I best meet them?

What do I need (tools, information, allies) in order to best practice the habits that lead to discernment?

4. Choose a self-cultivation project:

Last week, on my New Moon post, I started to think about a possible self-cultivation project. 

You can't really change your personality, but you can build on your strengths, moderate your weakness, and set some goals for cultivating yourself. I think of this as a gentle, loving, gardening project: I am trimming a little here, and feeding this and that, so that I will grow a better relationship with the world.

One of the parts of this project is to be aware of the hidden strengths associated with my apparent weaknesses. In the case of my defensiveness, and urge to stay private to protect my myself from criticism, my strength is self-protection, but I don't always practice it in a healthy way. When I cut myself off from authentic connections with people who might criticize me, I am avoiding pain and also avoiding honest interaction and any possibility of deep sharing and growth.

I want to find courage and equanimity in the face of the possibility of criticism, open myself to listening with quiet strength, and also, expect those around me to love me, and offer advise with loving intention.

Today I set this intention: "When I am fearful of harsh criticism or unfair treatment, or of feeling belittled or lectured at, I intend to touch my heart and remember that I am a strong-minded adult - I know who I am and no unfair criticism can undermine me.

If I am actually criticized, I will breath into my heart, listen quietly, and find the grain of truth; if I need to ask for respect, I will ask with a calm voice."

5. Make a full effort plan: 

Full effort (sometimes called exertion) is one of the steps of mental discipline on Buddha’s eightfold path. Buddha was urging full effort for awakening the mind; a first step is to practice full effort for whatever is most important in your life right now - for your priorities.

Today I made a full effort plan for our Quaker Fair, which is in 5 days! This is a chance for me to be a witness for the earth, with many random people - a particularly challenging scenario for me. My plan is to be prepared in all facets of my being:

1. Prepare visuals: A new pamphlet, bird and butterfly garden tags, coloring pages, info about other Earth care organizations, printouts of our blog, books...
2. Talking points: Prepare a short list of what I want to convey - discern and organize my thoughts.
3. Hope: Prepare my stance on hope for the future of people.
4. Mantra: "Share from my heart, listen with my heart, and breathe from my heart."
5. Take snacks. Drink water.