Shows Good Effort
When the sun travels its longest path in the sky, I am reminded of the 4-Part Breath, a breath-control technique (Pranayama) that focuses on the space between each breath: the pauses right before the expansive in-breath and directly after the grounding out-breath, as we make way for the new breath.
At the Solstice, the sun appears to stand still in the sky before changing direction, and we also have the opportunity to pause and reflect on where we’ve been so far this year and what ground we might like to cover going forward, over the second half of the year.
Capricorn is a sign that symbolizes hard work and effort. I was scrolling through photos on my cell phone, the other day, that I had taken while cleaning out my mother’s home; my mother was a sentimental Child of the Moon (aka a Cancer) and in her closet, she stored my old report cards, art work, notes, and letters (you name it). I took photos of the special and funny ones before transferring them to le garbage (not-so-sentimental Capricorn, here). Speaking of… my high school French teacher, who was a bit mean, as French teachers sometimes are, and not one to dole out undeserved comments, listed “Shows Good Effort” on my report card (she also noted that I was “Often Late to Class,” but that’s a different story). Her comment reminded me of my Mountain Goat roots. We, Capricorns always put in a good effort.
After many months (years, in fact) of working on a narrative essay, on and off, that I couldn’t get quite right, I have finally found a home for it. The editor noted that my essay, titled Memories Without a Home, was nearly ‘coming together,’ after a few last tweaks he’d like to make. This phrase “coming together” is a significant one for me; for a long time, it felt like nothing was.
Capricorn accomplishments are long and arduous paths; you wondered along the way if it was worth it and if your work would ever bear any fruit. And although they may, admittedly, not be life-changing accomplishments (but they could be!) they signify hard, honest work and a path of integrity.
You, too, may be enjoying the fruits of some “long path” labor during this Capricorn Full Moon. Even if it is a small boost that is more meaningful for you (than life-altering), give yourself time to feel that accomplishment, and know that it may be the start of more to come.
This Full Moon phase encourages us to evaluate our effort and the work we have done toward goals we’d like to accomplish this year, and if these goals are still attainable, or if it would be wise to re-route.
The Wisdom to Know the Difference
I appreciate the sentiment of the Serenity prayer, which implies that there is a distinction between what we can and cannot change.
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
For those of us who tend to dwell or get into a negativity rut (who me?), it is a relief to know that some things are worth directing our attention to and others are not. I think one of the reasons that Capricorns put so much effort in to their goals and work is fear: fear of the other side of effort and what that might look like.
The serenity prayer reminds us to surrender to (i.e., accept) (the opposite of fear) the things that are out of our control. That doesn’t mean that these things will always be out of our control (although they might); it means, rather, we make positive changes from a place of acceptance, rather than resistance. And we decide what to focus our attention on. For example, I know I can eat healthier foods and take better care of myself; I am not sure, on the other hand, if I can find my dream job this summer; I’ll put effort into both but from a place of acceptance, knowing I can do my part and that the outcome requires a little faith and the ability to “let go,” as we say.
We learn that by “letting go” of the desire to control things, we free ourselves from unhealthy attachments – a weight is lifted.
Along the same lines, another 12-Step phrase I like is: Clean up your side of the street. We place the focus on what we can do, rather than what we cannot. You have full reign over your side of the street, so go at it, rather than directing your attention on what someone else is doing, or not doing, on their side.
Old Habits Do Not Open New Doors
Another meme: The universe will put you in the same situations over and over again until you learn to react differently, until you learn to think differently … old habits do not open new doors. You must eliminate in order to evolve.
This is a big one. We may realize we see similar patterns in our lives (for example, at work or in our relationships) but don’t know how to change these patterns – where is the starting point of the pattern?
One way to get to the root of a pattern is to start small, start with the details.
We have ingrained ways of doing things, default programs created early on in our lives. These habits may seem inconsequential, such as leaving dishes in the sink for later, neglecting to make your bed in the morning, or certain phrases or words used to describe yourself or situations, but when we put the spotlight on them we see there are deeper underpinnings and, taken together, outcomes that may be blocking our “path.”
We can work to make bigger changes by first undoing or eliminating self-defeating habits. The new doors start to appear when we come out of that comfortable (but stagnant) default mode and make different choices.
Can you pinpoint a pattern or dynamic you’d like to change?
Choose 3 habits that are part of your default program (e.g., watching TV before bed, or rushing in the morning) and commit to changing them for, say, 40 days. Notice how you feel after those 40 days, and if anything else has shifted; it may be as simple as feeling more energy. If you stick with it, there is a good chance it will lead to a whole new world … Shining, shimmering, splendid.
