First Quarter Moon

Goslings on Delta Pond

At 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 my priorities.

Agenda:

1. Journal queries

2. Make a full effort plan

3. Abundance practices

1. Journal queries:

Today I prepare to give full effort to my priorities. 

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)? How can I best meet these challenges?

How will I find the inspiration that will spark full effort for my priorities, every day, over and over?

I will certainly face obstacles but I will remain flexible and use my obstacles as fuel for growth. This month I'm taking on a new leadership role, with fuzzy parameters. I feel unclear and nervous still about my role and my abilities. The challenge to confidence is fear, and the practice that will help most is equanimity.

2. 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.

Full effort requires attention (remembering what it is you want to do and your deepest reasons why), a spark of energy and determination (connecting to your excitement for life each day and each moment, and sustaining it long enough to accomplish your priorities), and balance (holding your intentions lightly in the complexity of life).

3. Abundance practices:

My theme this month is abundance and blessings - an abundance of money, good health, happiness, creativity, love, purpose, virtue, and more! I want to expand my awareness and re-awaken my excitement for possibility.

 

“Expansion is the great friend of abundance. It brings in the light, opening up new possibilities. In a relaxed, open state, your awareness sees farther, and life isn’t so confined.” Deepak Chopra

1. Morning Abundance Walk - acknowledge my blessings, visualize the blessings I want today, set intentions for service, and pray.

2. Midday Creative Gift - Creativity and generosity go along with abundance. Each day pick one thing to make with my hands with care - a pot of soup, a painting, a letter, a stitched heart- and give it as a gift to someone.

3. Evening Abundance Journal - Write down something I’m grateful for each day, or something that filled me with light, or just something fun that happened, that I enjoyed.