Goal Check-Up

As we are now into the month of March, and husband is away on a missions trip to Guatemala...the house is quiet, neat, and I have time to reflect on my 2026 goals I've set.  This year I'm using the "Smart" model:  specific goals, measurable ones, achievable ones, all are realistic to my life and all are timely, I think. 

Here's my first check up of the year since it's now been two months: 

PERSONAL PHYSICAL GOALS

• HIKE ON NEW-to-ME TRAILS: one in the Adirondacks, one in the Catskills, and one in Vermont:  Well, because it's been a real winter here in eastern NYS, this of course hasn't been worked on yet. But...for my hiking group, SoulSteps, I scheduled us to have a "First Day of Spring Hike" on March 20th and we are heading to a new-to-us trail system that is newly acquired by my fave state park just to the north of us by about 35 min. I'm excited to check out this 5.4 miles trail system. This goal isn't achieved yet. 

• WALK 2.5 MILES either Nordic style (new to me!) or brisk pace 4X WEEKLY:  Well I did try Nordic style and it's ok but cumbersome for me to get my heart rate up. So I've ditched the hiking poles for regular power walking and I'm averaging 3-5 days a week.  For several days in February, due to extreme bitter temps and wind chill of below 20, I've had to walk on the dreadtreadmill. So:  this goal is achieved but is also on-going.  Although some days...the  colder ones...I only got 1.5 miles in vs the 2.5

• COLLAGEN DAILY:  use 2 scoops of collagen daily in my morning coffee:  I've neglected this!  So, as I just got up, grabbed the collagen and added 2 scoops to my 2nd cup of  coffee this morning because I seriously need this added bonus for good health. Collagen also helps to repair discs in the spine besides all the other obvious benefits for our aging bodies.  This goal hasn't yet been achieved but it will be on-going anyways.          

RELATIONAL GOALS

• CONTINUE TO HAVE DATE NIGHTS WITH DAVE  once a month: so far we are doing great with this. Each weekend, we have chosen one night as a date night.  One weekend, we were in Massachusetts (January) so had two date nights in a row: one with Dave's mom who turns 91 the end of this month, and one with Dave's brother and his wife.  In February, we had a date night every week! We continue to do this so this is on-going. 

• MOM-DAUGHTER COFFEE/LUNCH/DINNER DATES:  Spring, Summer, Autumn:  This hasn't happened yet but on the March calendar, I have a brunch date with Claire for March 18th (she has every Wednesday and Sunday off from work as an optometric tech) and Courtney and I have an in-house dinner date night Monday evening at 7 pm! Oh and during the 2 church services tomorrow, Courtney and I will be meeting in the  church cafe for coffee. This goal is on-going. 

• MEET FRIENDS FOR COFFEE/LUNCH MORE OFTEN:  This goal has been achieved with my cousins and 2 friends so far this year.  In January, we had our younger friend Shawna over for Sunday lunch which was great fun as we ended up playing a couple of board games.  She really needed the fellowship. She's a single mom of two young adult sons and she's a relatively new Christian.I met my cousin Kenny for breakfast one morning in early January and I met my other cousin Trisha for brunch one morning in early February.  I also met my friend Lynn for coffee and conversation in January and I was so thankful this happened as we rarely get together anymore. I also have plans with my friend Monica for lunch in April.  This goal is on-going.

• PLAN AND HOST A GAME NIGHT this winter or spring:  Tomorrow evening, it's GIRLS GAME NIGHT with 5 of my closest friends. All of them except for one are in the hiking group and all of them have at some point been a part of my small group/book groups. We are a tight bunch. Everyone is bringing an app and I'm serving an app along with stuff for cocktails and mocktails. Dave and I are also planning a game night  for Evelyn and Mark (and Courtney and Tyler).  Evelyn and Mark are Tyler's parents. Evelyn will be at my girls game night as well.  This goal is achieved as of tomorrow evening. 😉

• PLAN a BEACH BASH BBQ for friends/family:  the plan is to have one the beginning of June although we have not made solid plans yet.  We do know who will be on the invite list but that's as far as we've got. This goal is on-going.  

SPIRITUAL/MENTAL/EMOTIONAL HEALTH GOALS

• CHRONOLOGICAL BIBLE READING  (this is a daily devotional Bible): this goal is one I've been enjoying each day.  I'm keeping up with it and so it's on-going as it ends on December 31st. (unless I read ahead which isn't likely). 

• GO iPHONE FREE for one full day a month (decided on the first Sunday of each month) : I am happy to report that I have been successful with this and so far I've done well.   In February, I did have to call back my youngest daughter as she had texted me a question that needed an answer right of way. This goal is on-going. 

• LEAD at least 2 women's small groups for 2026 (Sweeter than Honey plus one more):  We have 3 more weeks of the Sweeter than Honey Bible study and then I am hosting a book group from April to early June. So far there will be 5 of us for the book group with one of the ladies being my dear friend C who goes to a different church. This goal is on-going until June!

• MEDITATION/PRAYER/YOGA STRETCHES every morning: this goal has been met so far and is on-going. I am currently using the Lectio 365 free app for your phone and it's a Lenten meditation each day. there's one for morning, mid-day, and evening. I tend to do the morning one, sometimes the mid-dy one, and a few times a week, the evening one. It includes an anecdote, a couple of Scripture passages and a guided prayer.  I highly recommend the Lectio 365 app!  Some mornings, I skip some of the yoga but I always do my neck stretches and some leg pilates! 

So...I think I'm off to a good start with these goals. 

How are you doing so far this year? Did you make some goals for your self or do you have a "Word of the Year?" My word is Confidence. Scripture I'm basing it from is posted on the side bar. I've written a few devotional type posts centering around the word found in the SoulStuff label or the Word of the Year label, posted on the sidebar, if you're interested. 

HAPPY SATURDAY!