First Quarter Moon of Late February

Today is 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 and full effort.

I use this late February quarter moon's energy to lean in to vigor and enthusiasm! Some strategies: Better diet, more water, movement and dance, sunlight, and visualization (wash negative energy away in a shower).

Agenda Today:

1. Devotions

2. Beingness 

3. Earth Action

4. Journal queries

5. Full effort for writing

6. Synergy plans

1. Devotions: 

I'm reading from two lovely books: Living Earth Devotional, by Clea Dana (2013), and Earth Medicine, by Jamie Sams (1994).

Today Living Earth talks about connecting with nature to create a sense of home: I am at home on this planet.

2. Beingness:

For Lent I am finding creative ways to make space for Being in Nature.Today: Take a puddle jumping walk with Grandson #2.

3. Earth Action:

Each day I am taking an action for the Earth - Today it is gathering Earth Care News to share.

4. 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. My theme this month is strength, in four aspects: Vigor (growing my energetic aura), flexibility (opening to the ambiguity of life), optimism (planting hope and love), and intention (remembering my purpose).

I've been working on intention, which requires focus. The challenge to focus is confusion. If I’m mystified about the direction I want to take I can’t be aware of my path. Practice centering.

This week, I'd like to work on vigor, and "spirited enthusiasm", which requires healthy habits, high interest and curiosity.  The challenge to vigor is lethargy and procrastination. If I delay, I’m not acting in the now. Practice taking one step at a time.

Which of my priorities am I having the most trouble acting on this month? How might curiosity help me to overcome inertia or disorganization?

 

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)? What are the first tiny steps to meet these challenges?

What do I need (tools, information, allies) in order to best practice the habits of strength (vigor, flexibility, optimism, and a sense of purpose)?

Journal: I'm moving toward greater clarity, and remembering a daily focus on my priorities - family, writing, earthcare, and sanctuary. My next step is to dive in each day with enthusiasm! Maybe I can experiment again with "Lighting a Fire of Synergy".  

5. Full effort for writing:

Full effort requires attention; you remember your intentions - what it is you want to do and your deepest reasons why - and also notice your emotions, energy, challenges, etc. I'm thinking today about full effort for my writing. 

I set this intention to write a book called "Nature-Culture for Everybody", a how-to book for living our lives as part of nature that includes awareness practices for every season; practical activities for healing nature; journal queries to help shift priorities; and ideas for how to “pay forward” the gifts we receive from nature. My goal is to create a real-life-living concept to help us to shift the paradigm our culture is so mired in, because this is one way to use my creativity and courage to save the planet. 

Today I made a full effort plan / schedule:

• Friday: Writing themes - Set tasks for writing and research. Finish one section. 
• Saturday: Nature study - Research, write, and set tasks for wildlife sanctuary.
• Sunday: Awareness - Write, and make plans for nature awareness and Being.
• Monday: Reset - Research, write, and set tasks for natural living.
• Tuesday: Teamwork - how can I engage my family and community in my N-C project? Write and set tasks for practicing synergy and hope. 
• Wednesday: Proaction - How will I stretch myself? How can I become an “island of excellence”? What is essential? Research, write, and set tasks for reciprocity.
• Thursday: Passion plan - How can I harness productive obsession for the next 4 days? Set tasks for creativity, art, and teaching.

Here's my plan for Morning micro-habit steps: 5:30 - "Write a book" reminder pings on my computer: 

1. Stop everything at least for one moment to think about the theme for the day - consider: Can I wrap things up soon and move to this writing?
2. Make a note of today's Full Effort step. Add this to my blog?
3. Open my book and find the spot I'm working on.

6. Synergy and hope plans:

Teamwork and synergy are important components for effective action. My ideas:

1. Make a note each day of tiny ways to engage my family and community in my N-C work (Today, take a puddle jump walk).
2. Include some N-C ideas in my Earthcare News: This week - rain meditation!  
3. Make a list of plants I have to share with Meeting and neighbors, and their properties.
4. Pea planting with the boys.