Happy New Year, friends! Yes, it’s officially THAT time of year … the holidays are over, the kids are back to school, and we take a look around at the carnage and decide that things have to change. And THIS is the year we are going to resolve to make those changes.
So we make some resolutions. We’re going to lose weight! Get in fabulous shape! Get fabulously organized! Become the best mother/wife/friend/person EVER! We google “how to make changes.” We examine our motivations, set realistic goals, plan our rewards, and set out on our course to become a newer, better, version of ourselves.
Blah, blah, blah.
Um, no offense to anyone who truly commits to change in the new year and follows through with it (there may be one or two of you out there), but let’s face it, most of us get busy and forget our New Year’s Resolutions five minutes after we make them.
Listen, I’m all for self-improvement. But I wholly believe that the greatest improvement any of us can make to our lives, and the lives of everyone around us, is to resolve to do something simple … BE HAPPY. Find your happiness. Create happy moments. Do happy things. Big things. Little things. Anything that lightens your load and makes you smile.
How about these things?
Take a spur of the moment trip
Have dinner with someone who makes you laugh
Write someone you love a letter
Eat something you’ve never tried
Take a long walk
Find a place to dance
Stop doing something you do only out of obligation
Binge watch a new show
Treat yourself to something big
Spend a day volunteering
Call an old friend
Read the paper on Sunday
Tell your kids a story about your younger self
Cook a special meal for no reason
Forgive someone
Forgive yourself
Life is short, friends, and we only have this one. Our time here is precious. Enjoy it. Smile broadly. Breathe deeply. Laugh loudly. Love the people that love you (and forget the ones that don’t). Be happy.
Now those are resolutions.