May Third Quarter Moon

Today is the third Quarter moon. This waning third quarter moon energy is yin - quiet, internal, heart-driven, intentional Being-ness. At this phase we can ease off a bit on actively pursuing goals, slow down, go within, and attend to inner work, renewal, and self-care.

I've made a backwards calendar, with the first steps I'm taking for my big Flow Project, and I expect that more will be revealed as I progress. Today's steps are to:

Agenda Today:

1. 

Read 

"Mindfulness-Based Emotional Balance Workbook"

2. Mindful Thinking plan

3.

 Renewal plan

4. Evaluation House

5. Monthly journal brainstorm

1. 

Read 

"Mindfulness-Based Emotional Balance Workbook":

I'm reading again from the Mindfulness-Based Emotional Balance Workbook, by Margaret Cullen and Gonzalo Brito Pons (2015). I got it after realizing that mindfulness might be the key to gaining the equanimity I crave. This is supposedly an "8-week program for Improved Emotional Regulation and Resilience"; I'm taking it much slower. 

I'm on Chapter 6: Mindfulness of Thoughts. The last two chapters explored body, breathe, and feelings. Now we are moving on to thinking: "Our opinions, preconceptions, memories, and expectations based on previous experience, filter our direct perception and experience in the presence." This thinking we do all the time has the benefit of giving life some stability and predictability, and helps us to make decisions in any given situation.

Our thoughts very often give rise to strong emotions, and these are colored by our mood, past experiences, and habitual way of thinking - by our prejudices; our thoughts are not reality. If we open to a new way of thinking and expand just a little, we can change the emotional response. 

For example, when I am criticized and think, "This is not fair," it spirals me downward into resentment. When I can open my thinking to look for the grain of truth in the criticism, or if that isn't possible, I can say, "This is not personal; something else is going on." - and I can have more equanimity. 

2. Mindful Thinking plan:

More equanimity is a very big goal for me, and speaks to the first intention of my Flow Project: I intend to start with personal leadership, asking how can I improve the underlying system of my life? Part of the answer to that question is to build self-awareness, and learn how to handle challenges and conflict with resiliency. 

This is really the crux of flow and resilience: How to stop being derailed by every piece of bad information or upsetting situation.

So, here's the plan. This week I will begin a practice of observing my thoughts, and how they influence my mood and my equanimity. Whenever I notice that I'm hooked by a thought that is affecting my equanimity I will pause, invite skepticism, and ask:

1. Is this really true? Am I sure?
2. How else could I interpret it? How can I expand my thinking?
3. What additional information could I seek?

3. 

Renewal plan:

I try to renew all four dimensions of my life (body, mind, heart, and spirit), as Stephen Covey taught: I spend about an hour each day on a combination of physical, mental, and spiritual regeneration activities, plus work to improve my social skills and relationships. Today's waning half moon is my opportunity to review how I'm doing, and make note of new ideas for the month ahead.

This mid-May finds me working at being in-the-flow of life, physically grounded, mentally aware, and building equanimity

1. Diet: Add more fruit and fish; go to the Farmer's Market for fresh food.
2. Observe my thoughts and invite skepticism. 
3. Flow ritual: Every two hours I pause to drink water and "Cultivate Flow"; I remember to slow down and just BE, in this moment- aware and awake: Set a timer and when it goes off, full stop: Think about nothing for a few minutes.

4. Evaluation House:

Today I get to reflect back on the first 3/4 of the Peony Moon lunar cycle that I'm passing through. My theme has been Synergy. I reviewed the intentions I set at the new moon and drew a house with 2 rooms: 

• A room for celebration of all I have accomplished already this month.
• A room for discerning what to do with the unfinished parts (Some of these I will finish in the next couple days, some I will save for next month, and some I will release because they have become irrelevant or didn't go as planned.)

3. Monthly journal brainstorm:

At the new moon (next week) I will transition from one focus to another, and a whole new field of opportunity. This week I'll take time to write down my goals, dreams, and exciting ideas for the next 30-days, including at least a few crazy, improbable notions. 

-Start with a list of seasonal themes and celebrations, vacations, and other events.

-Write about my biggest priorities this month, how they might fit into my life, and how they connect to my values and principles.

-Write about possible obstacles and factors such as the weather, upcoming schedule changes, or money problems.

-Write about the parts that excite me and the parts that might be hard to find motivation for.