Third Quarter moon of August

Today is the third Quarter moon. This waning 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. This isn’t a moment for starting new projects but for finishing up old ones, making peace with the past, and preparing for a fresh start at the next new moon. 

Agenda Today:

1. Love meditation

2. Read 

"Brainstorm"

3. 

Review my passion plan

4. Ritual for Release and Realignment

5. Meditation and Evaluation Journal

6. Monthly journal brainstorm

1. Love meditation:

Every month after the full moon, in the quiet-energy yin time of the waning moon, I practice a love meditation that progresses from receptivity, to gratitude, to generosity:

Day 3: Practice a love meditation, and then journal about generosity with time and attention - start with ideas for being generous with myself, then my family, my neighborhood, community, and the earth. I might decide to give money or a gift, or simple acts of helping and sharing my time.

2. 

Read

 "Brainstorm":

I got this book called "Brainstorm: Harnessing the Power of Productive Obsession" (2010), by my favorite writing and art guru, Eric Maisel, several years ago, and started but never got far. I'm halfway through now and still going.

Chapter 14 is Commitment. He discusses the condition of distraction. Until I really commit to my project, I'll have a hard time concentrating on it.

"Jump in. if you really jump in, you will discover that you are not a distractible person. ... Distractibility is a symptom and not a personality trait."

3. Review my passion plan:

Drive: I intend to manifest my courage, harness the power of productive obsession, and engage slow passion, a kind of simmering energy that keeps me focused on my priorities; 

Commitment: I intend to let go of caution and involve myself wholeheartedly (brain, body, and soul) to the service of this project that I love; take a vacation from my usual way of being, stretch (my whole self) beyond the way I’ve always done things;

Concentration: I intend to strategize about how to self-regulate and manage my emotions, and learn how to extinguish distractions (such as phone games and worrying) so I can concentrate; simplify my thinking, and conserve the use of my neural resources;

Clarity: I intend to maintain clarity of purpose, keep the end in mind, monitor my energy level and feeling of successful meaning-making, and recommit often to my ideals, intentions, and efforts (I'm doing this, damn it!).

Flow: And I intend to work the parts of this project into the flow of my day (flow in and out of it easily and smoothly), plan when to say yes and when to say no, and let it reach into all my roles - teacher, grandma, activist, writer, artist, home and garden - take it slow and let it grow organically.

4. Ritual for Release and Realignment:
This phase of the moon is for releasing and cleansing, so this month I'm going to double down on releasing the stuff that makes me uncomfortable, especially clothing that doesn't fit.

I'm going to a donation center today, so this morning I'll go through my summer clothes and pull out everything that is too tight until my closets feel airy and joyful.

5. Meditation and Evaluation Journal:

Today I get to reflect back on the first 3/4 of the 2nd Lotus Moon lunar cycle that I'm passing through. My theme has been Discipline. I ask myself, What lessons have I learned in the last weeks? What has been completed? What has shifted? and what can I set aside?

I sit with these queries and write in my journal in a reflective way: My insights, emotions, and the clarity I’ve gained during the last lunar month and how I’ve grown. 

I review the intentions I set at the new moon, and write about what I've accomplished. I also write about 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.

This reflection will prepare me for moving forward with grace and purpose.

6. 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.