November Balanced Life Goals Review

In November, I tried to show the connection between the various things I do to my bigger goals in life.  Each little thing, like attending a prayer gathering or emailing a friend, is a stepping stone to attaining a corresponding goal. 

Spiritual:  The goal is to live a spiritually meaningful life.

- Continue with daily prayers and gratitude - Continued with the daily prayers and gratitude.

- Prepare for the December almsgiving - set the date; invite participants; make the menu - Almsgiving preparations are in progress; there was a bit of a wobble earlier this week, but everything has been sorted out.

- Attend the November monthly prayer gathering - I attended the November monthly prayer gathering which was hosted by a cousin.

- Continue to focus on joy, abundance, blessings - I continued to accomplish some of the items I had on my Autumn Joy List which I made in September. 

Environment:  The goal is a clean, tidy, uncluttered house and a well-maintained garden.
- Continue with the cleaning and tidying; focus on my bedroom and the 3rd bedroom - I cleaned most of the house but didn't get much accomplished in the 3rd bedroom. 
- Continue to work on establishing the cleaning routine in order to maintain the cleaned areas - Trying!

- Resume decluttering - Didn't make a lot of progress here; just the regular recycling, etc.

 

 I also bought some new plants for the front garden to bring a little color to one of the flower beds.

Daughter:  The goal is to continue to have a close relationship with her. 
- She will be coming down twice in November!  Once for my birthday and again for Thanksgiving  :)  In between, we'll keep in touch by phone and computer - Daughter came down both times; we had fun going out to eat, doing some shopping, and just spending time together.

Family:  The goal is to keep in touch with various family members.
- I'll see some of the family members at the November prayer gathering - Saw several family members, including some extended family
- Attend a cousin's daughter's Sweet Sixteen birthday celebration - Attended the party
- Get together with an aunt and cousins for Thanksgiving dinner - Enjoyed a lovely Thanksgiving gathering with the family

- Cousin has offered to accompany me to my radiation oncologist appointment - Cousin couldn't make it, but it was OK.

 Friends:  The goal is to keep in touch with friends.
- I'll be seeing some of my friends at the prayer gathering - Saw my friends; part of the reason why I attend these prayer gatherings is to keep in touch with some of these friends.

- Go to dinner with one friend - Treated her to dinner when we went out to celebrate my birthday.

 

I also received emails from two of my long-time friends with wishes for my birthday.  I've been friends with one of them since 2nd grade!  The other one, I met on the first day after I arrived at university!  And I enjoyed a nice video chat with another good friend. 

 

On a sadder note, one of my long-time friends passed away, unexpectedly, shortly before Thanksgiving.  I've been trying to be there for her daughters and niece, speaking to them on the phone, as she passed away while visiting her daughter who lives in another state (and her other daughter and niece flew there when she had her stroke).  Her memorial service will be held the second weekend in December.
 
Career:  The goal is to continue to do work which I enjoy (for the most part) and which enables me to support myself.
- Continue to work from home and turn in quality work products in a timely manner - Been doing that, although I think my supervisor will be happy when I am finally at the office!

Finances:  The goal is financial security.
- Continue budgeting and spending mindfully - Continuing to do so.

- Meet with my financial planner (appointment has been made)  - Met with her and we discussed financial goals; I am on track, right where I want to be.

Health:  The goal is good health.
- Get my prescription filled! - DONE!  They eventually had to change the prescription but it was filled!

- Go to the follow up appointment with radiation oncologist scheduled for November 19 - Actually, it was on the 18th, but I went to my appointment, he diagnosed that I had an inflammation and prescribed steroids for it, I had a follow up appointment on Monday and there's another scheduled for next Monday.  

 

Plus, I had another doctor's appointment yesterday, for another different type of screening test, as well.

 

- Continue to focus on a healthier diet, exercising regularly, and getting sufficient sleep - Trying!

Time Management:  The goal is having enough time to do all what I want to do!
-  Organize myself and put routines into place so I have enough time for work and for play! - Again, I am trying!  I have my schedules and to do lists in place to help me accomplish what I need to do.

Leisure/Crafts/Hobbies/Me-Time:  The goal is to relax doing something I enjoy doing for the pleasure of it.
- Celebrate my 61st birthday!  :) - Celebrated!
- Make some cards - Didn't make any; bought, instead.
- Read a book (or more) - Read some.  I find myself re-reading favorites instead of new books, though.
- Make some holiday gifts - Didn't.  I am way behind with my holiday preparations, this year.

I think I did well in most of my areas, though. 

Did you make any goals for November?  If so, were you able to make some progress towards reaching them?  Sometimes, things happen that derail our plans and we aren't able to attain our goals.  But, I think that what matters is that we try; don't you agree?