Unit 10

Hello Everyone.

Back in Unit 3, I rated my physical health as a five. This was because I felt that I was not getting enough physical exercise. I blamed it on my studying and traveling. I also stated that I was going to start my exercise program after I was finished with school in May. I would now rate my physical health as a seven. I have started to exercise on a more regular basis. I am not perfect, but I do try to get at least 3 – 4 workouts in a week. I am striving for 7 weekly sessions. I know this sounds impossible, but I am beginning to feel so much better after I exercise. I started exercising again because both of my classes this semester were encouraging me to do so. I get so much relief from my daily stress and I have more energy. I really am enjoying it and I have found that I DO have time for exercise. This is now one thing that I do not want to put off doing.

I rated my spiritual health as a six in Unit 3. I feel this is probably a 7 or 8 now. I have a better awareness of my spirituality and I am trying to pray more. My prayers are also becoming more meaningful to me. I am not longer just going through the motions of praying. I also am trying to think and act in a more spiritual way. I can see that I am improving in this area. I still have a ways to go, but I really can see the difference. I haven’t been able to volunteer like I want, but I did register to be on the “mission” list at work. My company helps out in areas of need and has asked for a list of people who would be willing to do volunteer work in various countries. I signed up even though it is not directly related to my church; it will give the ability to help others.

I rated my psychological well being as a seven. This has probably improved to an 8 or even a 9. I feel really good psychologically. I have been able to reduce my stress and I feel more at peace. Things are not bothering me as much as they once did. I feel more able to let things bounce off of me rather than getting upset about them. I still have my moments, but when I look back at how I was in Unit 3, I am so much better!

When I look back at the goals that I set in Unit 3, I am accomplishing many of them. I might not have done it in the exact way I had planned to, but they are getting done. One goal was to exercise on a regular basis. I am almost there. I am exercising regularly, but I just want to increase it. I also am taking my religion with me on the road. I was in Europe one weekend and instead of sleeping in and not going to church; I got up and took a cab to Notre Dame. Even if I didn’t understand what the priest was saying (the mass was in French), I was able to go through the mass. I also bought a rosary so, I can pray whenever I feel like it. I use to pray the rosary when I first became Catholic. I feel that I was more spiritual then. Hopefully by praying with the rosary, it will bring me more back to that feeling. I also feel that I have accomplished my goal of acknowledging my feelings to my family in a more constructive way. I am actually having more meaningful conversations with my husband, daughter, and son. I feel that we have even become closer during this semester. Its not like we were that far away to begin with, but it just seems we are even closer now.

Take Care and Good Luck!

Carol