Biggest Successes This Month:

My biggest accomplishment this month has been really incorporating exercise in a habitual way.  With time, I have discovered a better schedule that fits our busy lives, and also fits what works for me mentally and physically.  I’ve found I’m more likely to want to move or exercise in the morning before work; otherwise I tend to put it off or not do it at all.  Lots of silly reasons go through my head of why I don’t have the time or why it’s not a good time.  If I go in the morning, I feel good and have more energy, and actually feel less hungry.

Biggest Challenges This Month:

My biggest challenge this month has been pausing in the moment before I get overwhelmed or irritated.  I usually end up doing it, yet there is that part of me that thinks I should have done it quicker.  My inner voice thinks “haven’t I figured it out by now”?   Then I try and remind myself how far along I have come in listening to myself more and what I need or want in the moment.

Insights or Major “A-Ha” Moments:

An “A-ha” moment was probably when we were camping one weekend and I really didn’t want to go.  I stayed stuck in the whiny resentful attitude for a while and had a lot of inner conversations with myself.  I realized how hard it is for me at times to enjoy the moment, when part of me didn’t really want to do it in the first place.  I had to remind myself a lot that I was missing out on the pleasure of the moment by staying stuck in my own head.  It took awhile and I was disappointed in myself because I know my lack of excitement or joy affected the first part of our trip. The place we went is really one of my favorites so I was surprised at how long it took for me to actually stop and enjoy the beauty of it.

My Thoughts on Being Done With the Program and Taking This Experience Back Into My Life:

I think that this program has helped me a lot to get on track with several areas of my life.  It has been harder to think about all of it when we started meeting with Rosie less.  Yet that is the reality of everyone’s life; if you want to accomplish or change something in your life, it’s important to use the knowledge and expertise of others, (whether it is in books or one-on-one contact) but permanent change only comes from within.  No one can make you change or police you to make sure you keep up with your goals; it has to come from an inner desire to improve your life in some way and that takes constant awareness and work on your part; even though at times you may wish for an easier way.