At the end of each month, (or beginning), I review my yearly goals and spend some time reflecting on how I’m doing in living the life I want to live ~ a way of becoming my own accountability partner and having frequent check-ins to evaluate my progress. I’m still in the process of revising some of my goals as I encounter successes…..and setbacks. I’ve worked on learning new photography techniques, and that knowledge is being put to great use for my nephew’s new dog business website (success!), but it’s hard to travel Route 66 with all its burgers and fries, coneydogs and shakes….and great desserts….without gaining weight (setback!). So new goals have asterisks for the month of July, when I will report on them in a few weeks. For the month of June, here’s my goal reflection:
| Category | Goals | My Progress |
| Literature | *Read for Sarah Donovan’s Book Group Send out Postcards Blog Daily * Write at least 2 chapters for writing group’s book | Ethicalela.com has a new book group! First Book: Healer of the Water Monster by Brian Young (https://shorturl.at/coAHN I continue to send out postcards – I would estimate about 30 this month alone, with travel along Route 66! I continue to blog daily, and the daily writing and reflecting is a wonderful habit for me. I don’t feel complete without some form of daily writing, My writing group is writing a series of new books, and I will spend time writing chapters for these in July. |
| Creativity | Improve blog photos *Make a rag quilt for a new grandbaby *Create Shutterfly Route 66 | My nephew asked me to make photos for his new business website, so maybe the new techniques I’m learning mean that I’m improving in photography! I am having a new grandbaby this month, so a new quilt will be on the month’s menu! I’ll create a canvas or two, along with a photo book using our Route 66 photos! (Oh, and I got creative with spray paint, too – graffiti is fun!). |
| Spirituality | Tune in to church Pray! Keep OLW priority | We will tune in to church by radio or YouTube and catch up with services missed while on the road traveling. My car is still my prayer chamber for daily prayer, but I’m shifting it to the shower for summer, since sometimes I my habits change when I’m off contract at work for the summer. I’m still keeping my OLW my priority: pray! |
| Reflection | Write family stories Spend time tracking goals each month | I’ll be sharing more family stories through small moment experiences along Route 66 in the coming days. I’m tracking goals, revising, and considering some new categories as I look at my goal table. |
| Self-Improvement | *Reach top of weight range | This is a setback for me this month. Part of May and all of June was not a good one for weight. I’ve gained back about a third of the weight I had lost, and I need to transition to Weight Watchers point counting, which has been the plan since starting Optavia. I need to make the shift for July – and stay out of the retro diners with burgers, fries, and shakes. |
| Gratitude | Devote blog days to counting blessings | The gratitude category was strong for the month of June. At every turn of the corner along Route 66, I realized the beauty and wonder of our great nation and its history. I shared the amazing experience of travel with Briar’s brother and his wife this month. I also visited one of my children last month in Kentucky and will visit another one this month in South Carolina. Life is good! |
| Experience | Embrace Slow Travel Focus on the Outdoors | While I covered a lot of distance in the month of June with road trips through Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico (NINE states in ONE month!), the pacing was relaxed. I didn’t try to do too much in one place – – I enjoyed the moments! I visited Dunbar Cave State Park in Tennessee, Palo Duro Canyon State Park in Texas, and Sandia Peak in New Mexico to enjoy the outdoors and the grand views of nature and experience time in the great outdoors. I’ve been way far up and way far down on landforms and in goals, but it just goes to show that the peaks and the valleys can both be beautiful places that give us unique views! |
Common Threads 
Kim,
I’m exhausted reading your goals! Not sure how you’ll do all the things on your list, but if anyone can, it’s you. I’m not joining the book group, and I’m not sure when—or if—I’ll write any poetry book chapters. I’m pretty much a team of one, and I can’t say my heart is in this project. 😑 weight. It’s a constant struggle. I’ve regained some, too, but Im not sure how much because my scale scares me. Im hoping I’ll drop some as I get out on my bike more. We’ll see.
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I’m so glad I’m not the only one scared to step on the scales. I had done so well, getting to my goal, and now – just like that – some of the weight has returned. The diners along Rt. 66 could be blamed, but the truth is I’m the one who indulged. Too much. Ice cream, coconut pie, burgers and fries, coney dogs…….the list goes on. I understand about the chapters and the writing – – I’m going to be devoting some time this week to try to catch up. Since I am on a longer contract, it’s hard to find the time, so I’m locking myself in the camper and pulling the shades this week. Thanks for reading and commenting – – I’m so glad you help me with my travel insights!
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If I can get ahead on these classes, I can carve out writing time in two weeks. Maybe the writing for the classes will inspire me and give direction.
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