Waxing Crescent Moon

Photo by Alan Gillespie

Now the moon is waxing - getting gradually larger - until it's full again. During the waxing moon, energy remains high. In these first days of the waxing crescent moon, I will give attention to my growing energy, take first steps towards my intentions, and find my motivation to follow through with persistent action.

Agenda:

1. Plan first steps

2. Set more intentions

3. Mindfulness

4. Joy Walk

1. Plan first steps:

Today, at the waxing crescent, I give attention to my level of energy, and prepare to act on my priorities.

What are my top priorities for action this week? Are these priorities truly leading me on the right path?

Is my energy really growing? Where do I feel resistance to action? What information or help might I need to ease the way?

What are my first steps? Do I have supplies to gather or calls to make?

How can I give full effort?

From my journal: I notice myself moaning a lot about all the meetings I'm having... that's my subconscious trying to make myself seem important and virtuous, but also it might be a warning that I'm feeling stretched. Stretching isn't a bad thing, but am I'm stretching too far? The facts are that my service commitments are taking over my days, and I'm falling behind on everything else; Is service becoming an excuse to not care for my home and creativity intentions?

2. Set more intentions for action:

I'm writing a few more intentions today. Remember, intentions are a proposal for the present that remind me of who I am now, and my deepest, most essential, most passionate reasons for living. I write my intentions in present tense, and I use this model: action + deepest reason.

I intend to wrap up my clerking tasks (as I finish up my 2-year commitment), because it's time to pass this job on (stop meddling in everyone's business), and take on a new set of leadership responsibilities.

 

I intend to settle on a subject for the Loving Earth Project, and begin the actual work on a panel, so I can begin to teach and inspire others, and use my creativity for the earth.

3. Mindfulness:
The first step towards giving full effort to my priorities is attention; I want to remember my deepest, most essential, most passionate reasons for acting on my intentions, every day, and hold my intentions with gentle awareness all day long. I use several strategies:

• I review my intentions first thing in the morning, turning my essential reasons into shorthand mantras. For example, my three intentions today are: 
• Make a baby gift; visible love.
• Paint a landscape; express my soul.
• Clear my closet; KNOW what I own.

Remembering my intentions throughout the day is a mindfulness practice; it creates energy and excitement for my priorities, but I have to take care to hold my intentions gently, not obsessively. If I begin to worry about completing my intentions, or think about them in an aggressive way, I try to back off a little. Even though I fully intend to take these actions, life sometimes shifts under my feet; and it is not my intention to feel self-loathing or anxiety.

4. Joy Walk:

This month, as I focus on joy, I will practice this walking meditation each morning, giving attention to my body, heart, mind, and spirit.

 

1. Physical Joy: Name out everything I appreciate - the breeze on my face, moving my muscles, everything that brings me joy in this moment. Continue this for 1-2 blocks. 

 

3. Mindfulness: Turn a corner, and bring attention to my day ahead, my intentions, and how I can welcome joy and contentment. Open my mind to the ambiguity of life. Continue this for 1-2 blocks.

 

2. Passion: Turn a corner, and focus on my tender heart. Feel the love that brings passion for joyful life and service. Send loving thoughts to my neighbors, my family, my community, the world. Continue this for 1-2 blocks. 

 

4. Spiritual Awareness: Turn the last corner, and speak a prayer out loud - “Spirit of the Universe, I am open and awake to whatever comes into my life today. I am a limitless being, accepting from a limitless source, in an infinite way. I am incredibly blessed.”