First Quarter Moon of Advent

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 a novena

2. Read "Root and Ritual"

3. Daily love journal

4. Light a candle for Purpose

5. Make a full effort plan

6. Write a mission haiku

1. Read a novena:

I've been reading this Creation Novena from the Indian Catholic Matters site:

Day 4: A Prayer for the Land:
Creator God, we give thanks for the land. Thank You for the confidence and comfort we feel from the earth beneath bare feet. Thank You for the earth that sustains us, as it is the home of the plants and animals from which we draw sustenance. Thank You for the many uses of minerals in our lives—uses that shelter us, heal us, and connect us.

As we mine Your Earth beyond its capacity, as mountains are carved to nothing and rich soil turns to dust, give us a sense of measure. Help us see when we’ve gone far enough—when we’ve taken enough. As we anticipate Jesus’ birth, help us find a new direction.

We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

2. Read "Root and Ritual":

I'm reading again from "Root and Ritual: Timeless Ways to Connect to Land, Lineage, Community, and the Self," by Becca Piastrelli (2021). I'm on Part 3: Community, about finding safe spaces to gather together and cultivate trust and kinship. It's about being vulnerable enough to share how you are really doing.

"The craving to be surrounded and supported by 'the village' we've read about in times past is so resonant in our hearts today. ... Within that shared presence, we can be seen and accepted as our messy and authentic selves."

"It is time to begin unwinding the knots that have prevented intimate connection in our lives. ... When we circle together and reclaim the responsibility of hearing, knowing, and actively supporting each other, we embark on the journey of healing ancestral wounds, creating a ripple effect around the world."

3. Daily love journal:

Periodically I take out a special small journal that I call my love journal. First I think about the people I will see today, and the conversations we may have. I make note of times when I might need to draw on equanimity.

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 focus this week is attention to the love and joy of family, and diligent preparations for Christmas. The challenges I face are procrastination and rigidity: If I delay, I’m not acting in the now and if I’m stubborn and uncompromising, I might crack. Practice taking one step at a time, giving in, and being willing to help.

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

How can I remember to diligently take one step at a time, and still remain flexible and give attention to moments of joy as they arrive?

 

4. Light a candle for Purpose:

For the first part of Soyal I am meditating and writing about each of my core values, and making plans for the coming year based on guidance from the Spirits. Today I am giving attention to Purpose: Leading the best life I can, growing into being the best person I can be, and creating the change I want to see in the world.

I have a guiding purpose statement:

My purpose right now is 

to love and serve my family and my community 

(learning greater equanimity and compassion); 

lead a simple life of integrity 

(in unity with the earth, and speaking truth to power); 

be a creative force in the world 

(expressing myself with writing, art, and actions); 

and celebrate the seasons and the circle.

Today I light a dark blue candle for purpose, and ask the Spirits to bring the rain of loving care down upon the whole world.

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 Christmas! I have two goals: 1) complete the gifts and foods on my list and 2) share the most fun with my grandsons (both of them). My plan:

• Choose appropriate tasks for each day. Be reasonable with my time!
• Make a list of the supplies I need and gather them early in the day.
• Do any preparation that is not fun before the kids arrive.
• Take it one step at a time and be flexible!

6: Write a Mission Haiku:

My missions are my various big projects or directions in life. The mission I'm looking at today is to "Love and serve my family and my community, learning greater equanimity and compassion".

Today I'll write this mission / intention as a haiku, because a poem has a unique ability of getting to the core of a Truth, and I'm always surprised by what surfaces. Here's the steps I use:

1. Write a brief, evocative sentence or two describing this top mission in my life, and the significant issues that surround it:

I intend to live in unity with my family and community, committing to move forward together, with Light and Love, not letting our differences prevent cooperation; I intend to have equanimity, practicing love habits and staying calm, because everyone deserves that basic respect and compassion, and because love is our connection with God, and my love in times of stress will heal the world. 

I also intend to serve and be a witness to my family, friends and community, by speaking truth through my words and actions (choosing actions and words that align me with my highest self, with that of God within me, and with who I truly am at my core), because my main mission in life is to be a creative force for change, and holding myself to high standards is how I honor the Light of Truth and Love, and witness to self-transcendence. 

2. List the most exciting or pleasing verbs that describe what I want to do with this mission:

Love, move forward together, cooperate, serve, witness, speak truth, create change

3. Next, list some core values that prompt this mission:

Love, equanimity, peace, unity, purpose, truth 

4. Turn these sentences, verbs, and values into a haiku (5, 7, and 5 syllables) or a Cinquain (2, 4, 6, 8, and 2 syllables), or in this case a short mantra, that gets to the core of my mission, and gives me a framework for my actions.

Love, serve, and witness;

I cherish my people 

like sunrise each day.