February Balanced Life/Monthly Goals Update

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

 Continue with daily prayers and gratitude - On going; the days start and end with prayers; I continue to list daily gratitudes.

- Continue to re-read the Dhammapada (a collection of Buddhist verses based on sayings attributed to the Buddha) with the intention of applying the wisdom contained in them to daily life - On going.

- Attend the February monthly prayer gathering, if possible - Wasn't able to attend; but did attend a different prayer gathering and memorial mass for my friend.

- Continue to focus on joy, gratitude, abundance, and blessings - On going.

 
Environment:  The goal is a clean, tidy, uncluttered house and a well-maintained garden.
- Focus on cleaning and tidying, one room at a time - I did clean and tidy the main rooms.

- Take down and put away holiday decorations - DONE!
- Declutter as I go - Didn't declutter much; just a few things.

- Continue to spruce up the garden.

- Weed the flower beds - On going; recent rains have made a lot of weeds grow!

- Put in new plants/seeds - Did some; the nasturtium seeds have germinated!

- Water as needed - Actually haven't needed to, it has rained so much!

Daughter:  The goal is to continue to have a close relationship with her. 
- Stay in touch by phone and computer - On going; daily texts, phone calls, and video chatting!

- Plan for her next visit at the end of the month - Flight has been booked; ticket has been bought; her bag is packed!  I just need to launder her bed sheets and remake her bed!

Family:  The goal is to keep in touch with various family members.

- Call and wish cousin on her birthday; message nephew on his birthday - DONE

- Observe my mother’s death anniversary with a visit to the cemetery - DONE.

- Connect with some of the family members at the February prayer gathering - Didn't attend the prayer gathering.

- Call/email some of the family members, including sister - DONE; had a long chat with sister. 
- Exchange holiday gifts with family members I didn't see over the holidays - Not done!  Still haven't seen them!

Friends:  The goal is to keep in touch with friends.

- I'll be seeing some of them at the monthly prayer gathering - I saw some different friends at the other prayer gathering and memorial mass.

- Phone/email others - On going; have been keeping in touch with friends and some of them have blessed me with meals and such, throughout this month.

- Visit my neighbors - Didn't manage to do that.

Career:  The goal is to continue to do work which I enjoy (for the most part) and which enables me to support myself.

- Prepare to return to the office on a full-time basis - I tried; not physically ready, yet.

- Continue to put together a functional career wardrobe using items I have in my closet - Project on hold!

- Meal plan so it’s easy to take breakfasts, lunches, and snacks to work - Project on hold!

Finances:  The goal is financial security.
- Continue budgeting and spending mindfully, to make each dollar count - On going; no unplanned spending to date.

 

Health:  The goal is good health.
- Attend the appointments with my various doctors - 3 scheduled, so far, in February - Had a total of five appointments, in the end!

- Continue to monitor blood pressure and sugar levels as requested by primary care- DONE; pressure medication has been reduced yet again!

- Continue to focus on a healthier diet, drinking enough water, exercising regularly, and getting sufficient sleep - In process

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!- Not quite there, yet.

Leisure/Crafts/Hobbies/Me-Time:  The goal is to relax doing something I enjoy doing for the pleasure of it.

- Listen to more music - Listened some; could have listened more, but I am finding I like the sound of silence! 

- Play the piano - Not as much as I would have liked to have done

- Sing - Again, not as much as I would have liked to have sung

- Read a book (or more) - in process

- Do a craft project - Not done

I didn't do too badly, I think, but there's room for improvement, especially in the last two areas.  Something to strive for in March.

How did you do with your February goals?