For my new readers, in September 2006 I started what I termed a Life Transformation Program. I committed to exercise, meditate, and write every day in order to get my life to reflect my beliefs. So far I’ve had tremendous success with the program. Every month I submit an update with some of the shifts I’ve experienced as a result of developing those 3 habits.

To be honest, December was a blur. I went through the motions of exercising, meditating, and writing amid a flurry of carols, decorating, and gift buying. I spent 5 days with family for the holidays and did not exercise or write. Not writing was intentional, but not exercising crept up on me.

In December I kicked up my exercise routine. I added a minute of arm swinging to my walk every day. I now walk for 40 minutes a day while swinging my arms for 30 minutes. My fitness level is really improving. I am choosing to walk over finding a convenient parking spot. For all that, I lost 10 additional pounds. I am now down a total of 25 lbs.

I instituted rest days, and sick days in December. Rest days are every Sunday, day job holiday, and day job vacation day. On those days I won’t write. Sick days are defined as this: if I worked in an organization that had unlimited sick days and I was really into what I was doing and I would take that day off to be sick, it’s a sick day. I’m not talking mental health days here. Any day that I am sick, I will not exercise or write.

I feel like I have a jump start on the New Year. I was able to get through December because exercising, writing, and meditating are now habits. When I don’t do them I feel out of sorts, off kilter. By and large, I don’t question whether or not they are done.

Since it’s the beginning of the year, I’ll take this opportunity to post my goals. They are assigned to my birthday rather than the year end. I started working on them when I started the Life Transformation Program. If I had to pick a word for this year, it would be foundation.

By October 3rd, 2007, I intend to:

• Establish and practice the following habits:
  - Meditate daily
  - Exercise daily
  - Write daily
  - Only eat when hungry and until full
  - Tithe
  - Save 10% of all income
  - Read a book a month
  - Do a speech a month
  - Practice Bikram Yoga once a week
• Be financially secure: pay all bills on time, stick to a budget, be insured, have a will, save $1000 for emergencies,
• Publish 500 posts/podcasts/articles on Balanced Life Center,
• Generate 500,000 page views per month on Balanced Life Center,
• Complete Toastmaster’s CTM Program,
• Generate $3000/month or more from my purpose,
• Apply for US citizenship.

From now on, I will include an update on my goals with the Life Transformation Program updates.

In Spirit,
Nneka

3 Months after my initial post about finding my voice, 5 months into blogging, over 100 posts, and over 200 comments, I feel like I’m creating my groove. I could not have done it without you.

Putting together posts twice a day for the Season of Gratitude helped me to stay focused. Building that project gave me a focal point for the site. It really helped me to figure out what I want to say.

I also realized that I need to take a break. I’ve made Sunday my rest day. On Sunday, and any day that I take as a vacation day from my job, I will refrain from the blogosphere: no stats, no feeds, no posts. I tried this out during Thanksgiving and, lo and behold, the earth did not stop. I was really afraid of breaking the habit of consistently writing, but I realized that the break gave me a fresh perspective and renewed energy. Turns out if I’m doing something I really enjoy, then it’s not a chore unless I make it one.

On the flip side, good old consistency, practice, and discipline, are also critical players in helping me to find my voice. The more I write, the more natural it feels. I also get tons of ideas from Copyblogger. After the holidays, I’ll be dedicating serious time to reading about good writing and reading good writing. I’m eyeing a few on Darren’s list.

I am beginning to feel at home in the personal development and coaching circle of bloggers. When I speak to audiences, I make eye contact with the people I know in the audience and it helps me to stay connected with everyone. When I blog, I feel like I am connecting to more people because I am making “eye contact” with the bloggers with whom I’ve become acquainted.

Through the other practices that I have established as part of the Life Transformation Program, I am becoming more at home in my own skin. I am learning more about myself and deepening my awareness with Spirit. As I go through this, more and more of “me” is pouring out in this blog. I feel joyous, happy, inspired, and safe all at once. When I sit down to write, that translates into a less awkward post. At least from where I’m sitting.

I am still struggling to keep the conversation open. I really want Balanced Life Center to be a discussion of ideas. I want you to take ideas from this site and implement them in your lives. I also want to hear what you are doing in your lives that’s working for you. And, I want you to interact with each other. I want the site to be a true community and exchange of ideas, like a pot luck for spirituality and personal development. I am working on this in the real world as well. I’m sure that once I figure it out virtually or “real”, things will just flow.

All in all, I am really enjoying my groove. I am honored that you all continue to read and provide your feedback openly and willingly. I look forward to the next 5 months.

I welcome any words of wisdom in all its forms from you.

In Spirit,
Nneka