First Quarter Moon of Early July

Tonight is the First Quarter Moon; we are one-quarter of the way through the moon cycle. The moon is waxing - growing in light and energy, creating a time for decisive action. I use this early July quarter moon's energy to take the first steps toward my dreams. 

Agenda Today:

1. Read "Creativity Takes Courage"

2. Journal queries
3. Make a full effort plan

4. Proaction

5. Reciprocity plans

1. Read "Creativity Takes Courage":

I'm just starting this beautiful book by Irene Smit and Astrid van Der Hulse (2018) with the subtitle of Dare to Think Differently. Every page is a work of art.

Chapter 1 is Dare to Start. Beginnings are difficult because we hate to step out of the ordinary - the amygdala likes clarity and predictability, and a new project can feel chaotic and uncertain.

Taking small steps is one way to sneak by without setting off alarms; completing parts of a project is satisfying, and it triggers a hormone that gives you a boost of energy, and motivation for the next step. 

Take it slow - one step at a time. "...if you move like a turtle, slowly and with focus, you will end up where you want to be. Feel the friction of your environment and try to keep pace with yourself - don't sprint ahead."

Another uncertainty is worry about how others will perceive us. Will we be criticized, laughed at, or ignored? It takes real courage to be vulnerable and share your ideas.

Tips:

• Plan some very small first steps and goals.
• Set an intention.
• Be creative with time and my schedule to fit my new project in.
• Make it into a daily practice.

2. Journal queries:

Today, at the first quarter moon, I prepare to give full effort to my priorities. My theme is Passion and Courage, which requires me to have clarity, care deeply, act with persistence, practice taking risks, and grow my confidence.

I remember that for each opportunity in life there is a challenge. The challenge to passion and persistence is lethargy and procrastination, and the challenge to confidence is fear. If I delay, I’m not acting in the now, and if I’m anxious (especially socially), I can’t be faithful to my dreams. Practice taking one step at a time, with equanimity.  

What are the creative habits I use to be present and energized for my priorities? 

 

How can I find the passion, stubbornness, and discipline to execute my vision? Where do I find the confidence to take the first step? And how can I stay motivated to finish the things I start? 

How can I avoid escaping into the pleasure of self-indulgence, while still allowing myself to relax, be spontaneous, and enjoy my days?

From my journal: I've got a really big and wonderful project to work on, and I can't afford to take any days off. My challenge is to work the small steps into every aspect of my life. I want to list out ways to complete steps as a teacher, grandma, activist, writer, artist, and in my home and garden - take it slow and let it grow organically.

3. Make a full effort plan: 

I'm thinking today about full effort for my Nature -Culture Book. I set this intention to write a book called "Nature-Culture for Everybody", a how-to book for living our lives as part of nature that includes awareness practices for every season; practical activities for healing nature; journal queries to help shift priorities; and ideas for how to “pay forward” the gifts we receive from nature. My goal is to create a real-life-living concept to help us to shift the paradigm our culture is so mired in, because this is one way to use my creativity and courage to save the planet. 

Today I made a full effort plan / schedule:

• Sunday: Renewal plans and writing themes - Set tasks for writing and awareness. 
• Monday: Reset plans - Set tasks for home and natural living.
• Tuesday: Teamwork plans - how can I engage my family and community in my N-C project? Set tasks for synergy. 
• Wednesday: Proaction plans - How will I stretch myself? How can I become an “island of excellence”? What is essential? Set tasks for reciprocity.
• Thursday: Passion plan - How can I harness productive obsession for the next 4 days? Set tasks for art and teaching.
• Friday: Visioning - Maintain clarity of purpose, keep the end in mind, monitor, and recommit. Set tasks for the garden and nature study.
• Saturday: Flow plans  - How can I work the parts of this project into the flow of my day, let it reach into all my roles? Set tasks for grandma and activist.

4. Proaction:

Every Wednesday I try to journal a bit about the future, about my dreams and goals: What GREAT things do I want to accomplish? How will I serve people? How will I use my talents? How will I stretch myself? How can I become an “island of excellence”? What is essential?

Then I try to define achievable, meaningful goals and prioritize the goals and tasks with the greatest long-term impact.

5. Reciprocity plans:

Reciprocity means to pay forward the benefits you receive from nature by educating others and advocating for nature, with all your creative self.

My reciprocity goals are:

1. Write more about reciprocity for the intro section (see old EC blog posts for ideas)
2. This month's theme - advocate for OCERA, the rights of the earth in legislation.