My goodness, but, the days are flying by, aren't they? We are at the end of August, already!
As I've explained before, my monthly balanced life goals are similar to the spokes of a wheel, with the length of each spoke representing my satisfaction in that area of my life, from 1 to 10, with 1 being most dissatisfied and 10 being most satisfied. Ideally, all the spokes are of equal length and the wheel will roll along smoothly. If the spokes are of unequal lengths, then, the resulting wheel will be lop-sided and wobbly. My ratings for each segment are shown within the parentheses, with the beginning of the month ratings in black and the end of the month ratings in blue.
As I've explained before, my monthly balanced life goals are similar to the spokes of a wheel, with the length of each spoke representing my satisfaction in that area of my life, from 1 to 10, with 1 being most dissatisfied and 10 being most satisfied. Ideally, all the spokes are of equal length and the wheel will roll along smoothly. If the spokes are of unequal lengths, then, the resulting wheel will be lop-sided and wobbly. My ratings for each segment are shown within the parentheses, with the beginning of the month ratings in black and the end of the month ratings in blue.
Spiritual: (9.5) (10): The goal is to live a spiritually meaningful life:
- Continue with daily prayers and gratitude; focus on being positive and joyful - On-going. Daily prayers are said, usually at night, before going to bed. I also recite some prayers from time to time during the day, as well. Gratitude is also a daily habit as I list 5 things I am grateful for, each day, and I have had many things for which to be grateful, this month, especially when it comes to my health. I have been incorporating a joyful activity, each day, too, As for being positive, I try hard to be positive.
- Continue to practice meditation at home and at the temple- Daily meditation at home is on-going; however, I didn't go to the meditation sessions at the temple, this month (although I attended some of the Saturday prayer services or "puja" as they are called).
- Continue to cultivate non-attachment to material things by donating/decluttering more - I decluttered 31 items, this month. Only a few of them went to the donations bag, however; the majority got recycled.
One of the sermons I attended at the temple, this month, also spoke of non-attachment to non-material things, such as negative emotions (anger, hurt, resentment, etc.). Something to keep in mind.
- Participate in prayer ceremony at the temple - Accomplished; participated in two.
- Attend the monthly rosary prayer gathering - Accomplished; gave cousin P a ride to it, as well.
I raised the rating to a 10 because I was able to participate in a couple of ceremonies at the temple, this month.
House (9)(9): The goal is a home that is pleasant, comfortable, and welcoming:
- Clean - do one deep cleaning task per week - focus on flea abatement! - In progress! I don't want to say anything to jinx it, but, the flea situation has improved considerably! I am still being vigilant and proactive, but, I've been able to relax a little bit! I am also getting some deep cleaning tasks accomplished, bit by bit.
- Organize - continue to find a place for everything and keep everything in its place - Work in progress! I did organize the cabinet under the sink in my bathroom and the one in the other bathroom has remained organized. So, progress is being made!
- Well maintained - continue to implement the cleaning schedule - On-going, although I have been changing things around a bit with the cleaning schedule. But, I'm still using it as a guideline.
I am keeping the rating at 9 because I haven't felt I've made a lot of improvements, just maintained. 9, however, is a good rating for this area.
Garden (8)(8): The goal is a garden that is productive, yet drought tolerant:
- Maintain (water 2-3 times per week, depending on the temperature; weed) - The garden is being maintained. As I mentioned earlier, summer is not a very good time for my garden; it just gets too hot. All I can do is water and wait for the cooler weather. M tidied the area under the lemon trees, yesterday, pulling out the old four o'clock plants that were growing there, as they had started to die, pruning back some other overgrown plants, and mowing the grass.I am keeping the rating at 8.
Daughter (10)(10): The goal is to continue to have a close relationship with her:
- Daily texts, phone calls, and video chatting, etc. - On-going. We've had some long conversations, recently, as we've had several things to discuss. Chatting with her is one of the highlights of my day!
- Enjoy her planned visit in mid-August (for her friend's bridal shower) - We had a lovely time! It was a relatively short visit and we didn't do much, but, spent time relaxing and just being together.
A definite 10!
Family & Friends (10)(10): The goal is to have a connection with family members and friends:
- Enjoy her planned visit in mid-August (for her friend's bridal shower) - We had a lovely time! It was a relatively short visit and we didn't do much, but, spent time relaxing and just being together.
A definite 10!
Family & Friends (10)(10): The goal is to have a connection with family members and friends:
- Regular phone calls and emails - On-going; in addition, I called my cousin in Florida to check on him and his wife since they might be affected by Hurricane Dorian, and had a long phone conversation with one of my step-aunts, who updated me on all the members of the extended family!
- Will be seeing several members of the family and friends at this month's prayer gathering - Accomplished; saw several members of the family and friends, which is one of the reasons why I attend these prayer gatherings; also, gave cousin P a ride.
- Maybe get together with friend R for lunch - Accomplished; visited Hollyhock House with friend R and we went out to lunch, afterwards.
Going to keep the rating at 10.
- Will be seeing several members of the family and friends at this month's prayer gathering - Accomplished; saw several members of the family and friends, which is one of the reasons why I attend these prayer gatherings; also, gave cousin P a ride.
- Maybe get together with friend R for lunch - Accomplished; visited Hollyhock House with friend R and we went out to lunch, afterwards.
Going to keep the rating at 10.
Community (10)(10): The goal is to be involved in my community:
- Continue to participate in the blogging community - On-going. I am enjoying being part of the blogging community.
- Participate in the Summer Photo Scavenger Hunt - In progress; I posted on the second link up. Need to find a few last photos before the final link up, next month!
- Weekly phone calls with neighbor T - On-going; have spoken to her a few times in between the weekly Sunday phone calls, as well.
- Continue to participate in the online group of which I am a member - On-going
In addition, I am beginning to participate a little more in the temple community, as well. At one time, I was very active in the temple, but, I had to step back as I had too many demands on my time.
I am going to keep this rating at 10.
Finances (10)(10): The goal is financial security:
- Participate in the Summer Photo Scavenger Hunt - In progress; I posted on the second link up. Need to find a few last photos before the final link up, next month!
- Weekly phone calls with neighbor T - On-going; have spoken to her a few times in between the weekly Sunday phone calls, as well.
- Continue to participate in the online group of which I am a member - On-going
In addition, I am beginning to participate a little more in the temple community, as well. At one time, I was very active in the temple, but, I had to step back as I had too many demands on my time.
I am going to keep this rating at 10.
Finances (10)(10): The goal is financial security:
- Continue budgeting and spending mindfully, with purpose - On-going.
Health & Well Being (9)(9): The goal is good health:
- Attend the medical appointments scheduled for August (3 appointments, so far) - Accomplished; there were 5 medical appointments, altogether, this month!
- Continue to work on the following life style changes:
Health & Well Being (9)(9): The goal is good health:
- Attend the medical appointments scheduled for August (3 appointments, so far) - Accomplished; there were 5 medical appointments, altogether, this month!
- Continue to work on the following life style changes:
- better diet - eat more vegetables, less carbs - Didn't quite manage to accomplish this goal!
- better hydration - drink 8 x 8oz glasses of water, daily - Oh, my! I was, apparently, quite dehydrated! I have been managing to drink my 8 glasses of water since then, however!
- better sleep habits - get 6-7 hours of sleep - On-going; I am getting the sleep, but, my sleep schedule is still very off!
- more exercise - get back on a walking schedule - Once again, no comment!
- better hydration - drink 8 x 8oz glasses of water, daily - Oh, my! I was, apparently, quite dehydrated! I have been managing to drink my 8 glasses of water since then, however!
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| Ensuring I stay hydrated! |
- better sleep habits - get 6-7 hours of sleep - On-going; I am getting the sleep, but, my sleep schedule is still very off!
- more exercise - get back on a walking schedule - Once again, no comment!
- Lose the 5 lbs. I gained! - Nope, didn't lose, but, on the positive side, I didn't gain, either!
The life style changes are a work in progress, although I have done better with drinking more water. In addition, I have a BIG positive in my health segment, this month, due to the NORMAL ultrasound results! That was a huge relief! Even though the cancer markers on the blood tests, done every 3 months have been consistently normal, I worried what the ultrasound results might show and was so thankful when it came back as normal!
I am going to keep the rating at 9, because I did attend all the medical appointments, I have been drinking my 8 glasses of water, and the good ultrasound results.
Time Management (8)(8): The goal is to spend my time in a mindful manner:
- Keep to a more regular schedule - Still a work in progress. I really don't have a consistent daily schedule, although I've managed to follow the weekly cleaning schedule, to a certain extent, as even that got changed around a bit. HOWEVER, the garden is getting watered twice a week, the indoor plants are getting watered once a week, I am staying on top of laundry, appointments are being kept, and bills are being paid on time. It's the regular bed times and such that I struggle with.
- Procrastinate less - Another work in progress!
I am going to keep the rating at 8 because the important things are being accomplished in a timely manner.
Leisure/Crafts/Hobbies/Me-Time (10)(10): The goal is to relax doing something I enjoy doing for the pleasure of it.
The life style changes are a work in progress, although I have done better with drinking more water. In addition, I have a BIG positive in my health segment, this month, due to the NORMAL ultrasound results! That was a huge relief! Even though the cancer markers on the blood tests, done every 3 months have been consistently normal, I worried what the ultrasound results might show and was so thankful when it came back as normal!
I am going to keep the rating at 9, because I did attend all the medical appointments, I have been drinking my 8 glasses of water, and the good ultrasound results.
Time Management (8)(8): The goal is to spend my time in a mindful manner:
- Keep to a more regular schedule - Still a work in progress. I really don't have a consistent daily schedule, although I've managed to follow the weekly cleaning schedule, to a certain extent, as even that got changed around a bit. HOWEVER, the garden is getting watered twice a week, the indoor plants are getting watered once a week, I am staying on top of laundry, appointments are being kept, and bills are being paid on time. It's the regular bed times and such that I struggle with.
- Procrastinate less - Another work in progress!
I am going to keep the rating at 8 because the important things are being accomplished in a timely manner.
Leisure/Crafts/Hobbies/Me-Time (10)(10): The goal is to relax doing something I enjoy doing for the pleasure of it.
- Engage in daily joyful activities - On-going. Some days, it is a specific, planned activity, such as visiting a place or attending an event. Other days, it finding joy in some everyday type of activity.
- Go on at least a couple of outings - Accomplished! I visitedthe Hollyhock House with friend R and then, we enjoyed lunch out. On another day, I revisited the Autry Museum (actually, I went there twice, because I got the free entry days mixed up!) I enjoyed both these outings!
I am keeping the rating at a 10.
That is my review of my goals for a more balanced life in August. On the whole, I am pleased with the progress I made and what I was able to accomplish.
Did you make any goals for a more balanced life in August? If so, how did you do?
- Go on at least a couple of outings - Accomplished! I visitedthe Hollyhock House with friend R and then, we enjoyed lunch out. On another day, I revisited the Autry Museum (actually, I went there twice, because I got the free entry days mixed up!) I enjoyed both these outings!
That is my review of my goals for a more balanced life in August. On the whole, I am pleased with the progress I made and what I was able to accomplish.
Did you make any goals for a more balanced life in August? If so, how did you do?
Well done. I am glad that you're part of the blogging community and appreciate your posts. I like the idea of letting go of non-material things like negative emotions. My goal for September is to avoid cake. With all the celebrations recently, I have eaten far too much!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Angela. I am glad that you are part of my blogging community as I always learn a lot from your posts. Unfortunately, those negative emotions are some of the hardest things to let go of! Ha, ha, that's a good goal! I hope you will be able to achieve it!
DeleteYou've had another good month. It's amused me to see that we both struggle with exercise, dietary changes, and time management 😂
ReplyDeleteYes, I've noticed that, too, although you seem to be better at doing things to address that than I! Sigh. I procrastinate a lot!
DeleteI m going to try your goal setting model.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that you are going to give it a try, Akasha. :)
DeleteSeems to me that you are achieving your goals very well. If this was a work situation, I think your appraisal would have been top-notch! I admire the order which you manage your life.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Eloise. I've been doing this for some time, now, and I am finally seeing the results I want to see in a lot of my areas. :)
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