The Integrity Project Contract:

Over the course of the next year I will follow through on these goals.  I will be accountable to the world through my blog The Integrity Project.

Physical Health

My lifestyle is healthy.  I consistently and cheerfully move toward my goal weight of 135 pounds.  I will reach my goal weight by October 11, 2010.  My body is toned and healthy.  I have stopped smoking permanently.  Every day that passes that I don’t smoke I celebrate myself for one more day that I didn’t give in to this unhealthy way of coping.  I feel good in my body.  My mind, my spirit, and my body are energized, optimistic, and healthy.  I drink a lot of water, enjoy a healthy diet, and revel in activity for both my body and my brain.

Action Steps: 

• 15+ minutes of activity every day
• Use Sparkpeople as a food and activity accountability meaure
• Eat organic, and whole foods  to promote well-being and weight loss
• Take supplements and medications consistently
• Have time for quiet reflection every day
• I am patient because I understand that this will take time and consistency
• I will use Chantix for 3 months
• Volunteer regularly
• Work from a To-Do List every day

Spirituality

I connect to a higher power and purpose every day.

 Action Steps:

• Formerly practice regularly
• Have time for quiet reflection daily

Relationships

I cultivate and appreciate the relationships that already exist in my life and invite new ones.  With family, friends, co-workers, and lovers, I feel good about what I bring to these relationships.  My relationships feed my spirit and mind.  The people in my life admire me, my choices, and the quality I bring to their lives.  My heart is open and I am surrounded by boundless joy, romance, and love.  I have a loving and respectful relationship with myself.  I feel good about always having myself to rely on.

Action Steps: 

• Acknowledge my successes every day
• Forgive myself for slip-ups and restart my contract right away
• Meet everyone’s eyes, without dropping my head in passing
• While still keeping a healthy balance, go places when invited

Writing

I make writing a central part of my life.  I appreciate this gift I have been given through practice and exposure of my writing.

Action Steps:

• Continue attending Writers Group
• Take graduate level writing classes
• Write blog entry regularly
• Send out 12 manuscripts for publication in the next twelve months

Finances

I pay my bills on time.  I am a conscious spender.  I accumulate a hefty savings.  I learn to afford the material things that I want, as well as travel, and graduate school.

Action Steps:

• Begin selling things that no longer serve me or my purpose
• Always stop before buying an item and “check in” with my greater goal

Life Goals

I know what I want to do in my life and am making strides every day to find my “niche.”

Action Steps:

• Spend time regularly researching options
• Apply for graduate school
• Apply for Peace Corps
• Research teaching jobs overseas

“Integrity is telling myself the truth. And honesty is telling the truth to other people.” -Spencer Johnson

“Integrity is not a conditional word. It doesn’t blow in the wind or change with the weather. It is your inner image of yourself, and if you look in there and see a man who won’t cheat, then you know he never will.” -John D. MacDonald

The fundamental goal of this project is for me to learn to live with integrity.  I have lived a wonderful life where my indulgent choices, joys, and hedonistic tendancies have taken precedance.  As a result, I have turned out to be a thirty-five year old single woman, who is unhealthy and unhappy, with many hopes and dreams unattained.  Many of my failures are directly derived from my inability to follow through with what I say I want to accomplish.  Much of my low self-image is a result of talking about who I am, but not living the truth of my words. 

I am not a person of integrity. 

Perhaps this missing element to my character is a fear of being boring, old, or status quo.  Maybe that is what the product of the project will lead me to become.  Or, perhaps, I will still be all of the good “me” with a clearer vision of my life, the body and health to support a long and fulfilling life, and wonderful adventures beyond my imagination. 

For one year I will follow a contract of integrity and blog about my experience.  This will be an all encompassing contract including health, money, relationships, spirituality, and life goals.  Thank you for reading and being a part of this journey.