{"id":2433,"date":"2016-07-01T13:35:13","date_gmt":"2016-07-01T13:35:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.donnaionadrozda.com\/lifecycle\/?p=2433"},"modified":"2016-07-01T13:35:13","modified_gmt":"2016-07-01T13:35:13","slug":"grow-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.donnaionadrozda.com\/lifecycle\/grow-up\/","title":{"rendered":"Grow UP^"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome to July on the art\/life trail ride! The South Gate on the Natural Calendar and the\u00a0pathway of Growth, Trust and Love are now open for business! \u00a0The ninety days of summer place a focus upon Others. Research and action will\u00a0hopefully be embraced!<\/span><\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"trialride2\"<\/p>\n

Our keyword for this moon\/month is <\/span>Growth<\/b>.<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n

Last week<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/strong> we were reminded to be bright while standing at the South Gate. The idea is to create a bridge from spring into summer while refreshing a connection with the Ancestors and the elements.<\/span><\/h4>\n

We\u2019ve Arrived<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n

We\u2019re alive and we\u2019re here to thrive! <\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n

July puts a focus on the element of water so critically essential for <\/span>Growth<\/b>. Water can be gentle or cataclysmic depending on circumstances. Our planet called Earth is deeply stressed. We are\u00a0experiencing more and more frequent episodes of destruction and many of these involve the water element. Seeing water’s power and capacity for destruction can easily wreak emotional havoc. <\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n

Within our bodies the salty sea circulates and here too we may find relative calm or different stages and phases of anxiety and chaos. Standing at the South Gate you\u00a0are invited to begin a 90 day research project exploring the waters in which you wade and\/or swim. Perhaps you’ve set a goal to\u00a0dive deep. You may have elected to enlist the power of a hydroplane. You might be more inclined to stand on land and dangle a toe in the ripples at the shore. You choose. <\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n

Ask:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n

Am I\u00a0floating peacefully, treading in a panic or being pulled under drowning?\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"OLYMPUS
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0‘Art in the Park’ student, Drozda, 2010<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

During this four weeks the\u00a0<\/span>Growth<\/b>\u00a0opportunities are rampant! Have fun and notice how quickly the element of water can show you metaphoric waves, undertows\u00a0and smooth-as-silk surfaces that reflect your ability\u00a0to grow. Vigilance is required for maximum Growth<\/strong>. Since water is our\u00a0element this month… hang out near some or even better go float. Water is most often associated with feelings making this a great time for a creative emotional health tune-up! \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"oceanshore,Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge beach, Drozda, 2015<\/span><\/p>\n

Welcome to our thirty day creative challenge: <\/span>Healthy Emotional Growth!<\/b><\/span><\/h4>\n

HEALTHY STRUCTURE<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n

Growth of visions and goals are\u00a0more likely\u00a0to be achieved when there are structures in place to support flow and forward movement. In the garden; a trellis for a vine or a planter for the tomatoes. Specific tools for tending rows or raised beds. Optimal blend of light, water, soil and air supplied as seeds grow strong and healthy. <\/span><\/h4>\n

Growth<\/strong> happens.<\/span><\/h4>\n

\u00a0\"InIn the Garden 3, Drozda, Acrylic\/board, 24 x 24 inches, 1998<\/span><\/h4>\n

We\u2019re in the first moon\/month (July 4- August 2) of the Summer Quadrant (July, August, September).<\/b><\/span><\/h4>\n

The 3 moons of summer bring:<\/span><\/h4>\n

Growth<\/b>\u00a0flowing deep, wide and high\u2026 leading to <\/span>Trust<\/b> that is sustainable through the expanding\u00a0Love<\/strong> for what is and will be.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n

\"Journalpage2012\"<\/p>\n

Grow UP ^<\/b><\/span><\/h4>\n

All research and actions this cycle\u00a0will help Growth<\/strong> to occur.\u00a0Think of triumph over obstacles this month. Face demons, name emotions, take a deep breath and swim for shore.\u00a0<\/span>Reflect upon emotional patterns that loop you into the tendency to act against your best interests.<\/span><\/h4>\n

One of my beloved Buddhist teachers got a chuckle from the\u00a0audience when he suggested that a powerful mantra for those who chant\/meditate could be to repeat;\u00a0\u201cOh So Ha Grow Up!\u201d<\/span><\/h4>\n

Emotional Maturity <\/b><\/span><\/h4>\n

Notice if your automatic emotional reactions have meaning for you now or are they simply default settings. Research your emotional\/feeling body patterns. No judgment. Are they childish and immature? \u00a0Are they ready and meant to be outgrown? <\/span><\/h4>\n

Gently but firmly commit to Growing UP\u00a0\u21d1<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n

Get creative! Learning to release unproductive emotions opens UP \u21d1 <\/span><\/span>creative flow.<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n

You may choose to\u00a0explore a healed and whole emotional state. As adults we have the freedom to take\u00a0on the role of detective. For many years I folded state-of-the-art therapy techniques into\u00a0my art making…each one morphed seamlessly into the next with a flow that I continue to find quite stunning. While I worked in my studio I also explored\u00a0Hatha and Raja yoga, the study of the Upanishads, rape crisis training, talk therapy, drawing\/journal making, deep tissue body work, acupuncture<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/em>,\u00a0moxiebustion<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/em>, myofascsial release<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/span>, running, and floating in deprivation tanks…plus this path of Natural Calendar and its\u00a0ways to gain a return to balance. Each step we take, individually and collectively brings\u00a0us closer to and more willing to identify and release dark shadowy emotional parts.\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

This is a grand time to take ten steps back and be the observer. Get\u00a0interested in and curious to know the demons dancing around your\u00a0bed. Stop and take a deep breath. Face each one. Buddhism \u00a0provides profound practices for emptying body, speech and mind of obstructed emotions. You might sit near water and spend time with Pema Chodron<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/em> or Lama Surya Das<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/span>.<\/span><\/h4>\n

No matter what healing\/balancing modalities I explore\u00a0my constant and daily fallback is\u00a0composting and gardening. Composting…witnessing the turning of garbage into gold for\u00a0the garden thrills me… and weeding…gathering a big bucket of weeds first thing in the morning all through the summer (bonus: my garden sits\u00a0on the shore of a forested lake cove) brings me hom<\/strong>e to my center. Each weed represents my\u00a0willingness to let some not-useful thought go. I do my best. I offer my attention to the task. I have come to understand how counter-productive my old mired patterns can be. We’re never done. We’re never complete, yet how exciting to devote one cycle each year to the tune-up of Growth leading to Trust opening to deeper wider Love for the art\/life trail ride.<\/strong> I am an activist and an\u00a0advocate for freeing up emotional\/feeling space all through July. <\/span><\/h4>\n

<\/h4>\n

\"In<\/h4>\n

In the Garden 2, Drozda, Acrylic\/board, 24 x 24 inches, 1998<\/span><\/h4>\n

Let’s Do This Thing<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Stepping onto the Summer Pathway we spend time near water. As we come back to the trail we notice weeds and invasive undergrowth. There are obstructions on the path that spring up out of nowhere during the night. We tend. We meet setback and difficulty whether we want to or not. <\/span><\/h4>\n

Focus on\u00a0Growth. <\/strong>Sense into the organic unfolding toward\u00a0Trust<\/strong> and Love<\/strong> for self and Others. Recognize how Others and Life flow into your creative vision for this Year of Compassion<\/b><\/a><\/span><\/em>. <\/b><\/span><\/h4>\n

What we\u2019re up to here on the trail ride is making our way through\u00a0the landscape\u00a0of the art\/life. Many of us are now in ACT III and things can get bumpy and disorientation results at the four directional turning points during the Natural Year. Lightning might\u00a0strike. You want your creative tools shined up \u00a0and at the ready. You want to tap into your inner GPS system. Orient back to your Center. Sigh…ahhhh…welcome h’OM’e. You want to stay the course and be on track. You want to get to where you really want to be going. <\/span><\/h4>\n

<\/h4>\n

GROWTH HOMEWORK<\/b><\/span><\/h4>\n

\u2018As above, so below and back again\u2019\u2026 results come from action. <\/span>
\n<\/span>This moon want\/choose\/desire\/invoke\/request\/require of your Ancestors and elemental connections a deeper and wider commitment to emotional health progress.<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n

Research to support Growth:<\/span><\/h4>\n

Dancing the Wheel of Psychological Types<\/i><\/a><\/span><\/strong> by Mary Loomis<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n

The Medicine Wheel Tarot<\/i><\/a><\/strong><\/span> by Carol Bridges<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n

<\/h4>\n

\"Natural<\/p>\n

Thanks for being on the trail! See you next week…<\/span><\/h4>\n

Be emotionally healthy.<\/span><\/h4>\n

Be emotionally healthy\u00a0for yourself, for others and for all of life.<\/span><\/h4>\n

Be centered.<\/span><\/h4>\n

Be centered\u00a0for yourself, for others and for all of life.<\/span><\/h4>\n

<\/h4>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

Me at the opening reception beside my mixed media painting<\/span>
\n‘The Artist Studio’ at Charles H, Taylor Art Center, Hampton, Virginia, photo by James Warwick Jones<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Welcome to July on the art\/life trail ride! The South Gate on the Natural Calendar and the\u00a0pathway of Growth, Trust and Love are now open for business! \u00a0The ninety days of summer place a focus upon Others. Research and action will\u00a0hopefully be embraced!   Our keyword for this moon\/month is Growth. Last week we were […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[167,36,79,99,166,189,2,3,32,183],"tags":[37,191,46,22,161,43,190,49,146,10,38,192,16,30,34],"class_list":["post-2433","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-act-iii","category-artlife","category-buddhism","category-donna-iona-drozda","category-lifestyle-flow","category-natural-calendar","category-natural-time-management","category-slow-time","category-starting-over","category-voluntary-simplicity","tag-artlife","tag-carol-bridges","tag-cycles","tag-donna-iona-drozda","tag-lama-surya-das","tag-lunar-phases","tag-mary-loomis","tag-masculinefeminine-time","tag-natural-calendar","tag-natural-time","tag-natural-time-management","tag-pema-chodron","tag-slow-time","tag-starting-over","tag-tibetan-buddhism"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6htPT-Df","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.donnaionadrozda.com\/lifecycle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2433","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.donnaionadrozda.com\/lifecycle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.donnaionadrozda.com\/lifecycle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.donnaionadrozda.com\/lifecycle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.donnaionadrozda.com\/lifecycle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2433"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/www.donnaionadrozda.com\/lifecycle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2433\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2455,"href":"https:\/\/www.donnaionadrozda.com\/lifecycle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2433\/revisions\/2455"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.donnaionadrozda.com\/lifecycle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2433"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.donnaionadrozda.com\/lifecycle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2433"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.donnaionadrozda.com\/lifecycle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2433"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}