First Quarter Moon of Early August

Last night was 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 quarter moon's energy to help me to discern my Truth and then act on it; this requires some discipline.

The ancient Stoic philosophers used discipline as a tool in their journey towards a life lived well. Epictetus listed three disciplines: Amor Fati, or the loving acceptance of one’s fate, which was for living in harmony with the nature of the universe as a whole; Hormê, or the impulse to ethical action, for living in harmony with humans; and Sunkatathesis, which is mindfulness, for living in harmony with our own essential nature, with reason and truthfulness in both thoughts and speech.

I long for better discipline - to give me stability and structure, and help me to be responsible; to allow me to keep promises to myself and to others, and maintain the integrity and self-control that I want; to empower me to grow and reach my dreams. But I also hope that this growth in discipline might lead to a transcendent state where I no longer rely on discipline because I love and understand myself enough to follow the right path naturally!

Agenda Today:

1. Read "Creativity Takes Courage"

2. Journal queries
3. Make a full effort plan

4. Evaluate my creativity habits:

5. Do the smallest thing

1. Read "Creativity Takes Courage":

I'm reading 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 7 is Dare to Be a Kid. They are talking about beginner's mind, having no set opinions or expectations; "the neutral perspective of a child"(but the children I know are opinionated about everything!) But our inner commentary makes us inner focused, and keeps the world (and nature) at arm's length.

The advice: Mindfulness training, using meditation, walks, drawing, or mindfulness practice with any slow activity. Beginner's mind will allow you to enjoy life more, be more creative, and also be more sociable, attentive, and considerate with others (including nature).

How to use Beginner's Mind for Creativity:

1. Fall back into the moment - notice my breathing, all the sights and sounds and senses around me, and let thinking go.
2. Try something entirely new: a new fruit, museum, lesson, project...
3. Allow myself to make mistakes and keep going.

2. Journal queries:

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. The challenge to integrity is ignorance and lethargy. If I'm uninformed, I cannot be truly conscious, and if I delay, I'm not acting in the now. Practice seeing clearly and taking one step at a time.

What potential challenges, restrictions, limitations, and obstacles do I face this week and month? How can I best meet these challenges?

Where do I need to shine the light of Truth? 

How can I find the passion to be persistent? 

From my journal: On top of everything else I'm doing - childcare, clerking, writing a book - we are also doing a really big remodeling project: Expanding storage in the studio and driveway, replacing the back porch, taking out the ugly shed and driveway workshop area, putting in a new patio and new canopies... the only way this will work is if I keep track of all the details and take small steps every day! 

3. Make a full effort plan: 

I'm thinking today about full effort for my Big Home Project. I've already made a backwards calendar. I think what I need now is a reminder of the goals.

1. 
   Expanding storage in the studio, in order to be able to get everything off the floor and also to clear out the ugly shed. 
2. Replace the back porch because it's rotten, and add handrails and canopy.
3. Taking out the ugly wood shop area (because we don't use it as a wood shop anymore), and replacing it with a bigger, better storage shed for Wade's tools and garden tools.
4. Rearranging the duck food storage and the potting cabinet, and building a potting counter with a canopy.
5. Integrity with house maintenance - re-siding, re-painting, replacing a rotten windowsill and possibly some storm windows.
6. Replacing the front fence and gate for better security.
7. Hot tub area! Tear out the ugly shed and put in a gravel pad and walkway.

4. Evaluate my creativity habits:

Once a week I try to take stock of my creative habits: 

Have I launched into a large creative project, one worth exhausting myself on, and if not, why? 

Have I constructed a schedule for my creative work and am I keeping to it? 

Do I set goals at the beginning of each week? 

Do I have a daily routine that that supports my creative efforts?

Journal: I did finish stenciling posters, and I brainstormed some motifs, and sewed with Artie - kind of a minimal week, but I hope to draw again today.

5. Do the smallest thing:

Eric Maisel has many suggestions for managing creative anxiety. Doing the smallest thing is a great way to make courageous creative work less frightening. In "The Sweet Spot", Christine Carter suggests finding the "minimum effective dose", the amount of work that keeps me challenged and joyful, and if I keep at it will get me to the finish line on time. The key is to create a pace and schedule that keeps me excited to get up in the morning, and feels ridiculously easy (so I will do it): It's effective but not stressful.

Today I will list specific goals for this week's creative projects and what to complete each day, and also itemize the preparation steps on a check list. My creative projects plan this week:

• Saturday: Butterfly drawing - finish
• Sunday: Coat of Many Earth Colors- Sew sashiko on fern.
• Monday: Pilgrimage photo documentation - post beach photos
• Tuesday: Bandhan bracelet with Artie
• Wednesday: Finish a cape with Artie.
• Thursday: Meet with my creativity partner. go to MECCA together?
• Friday: Water motif- Draw, color; scan; place motif in book. Plan the next motif.