New Year's Day, Every Day

This year, I resolve to:

• reduce stress in my life
• be more mindful
• learn something new
• get into better shape
• be more compassionate with myself and others
• meet new people
• discover my most authentic Self

We all make New Year's resolutions. We promise ourselves that this time, this year, will be different. This will be the year we get up a bit earlier to stretch or meditate or write in our journals. This will be the year we increase our strength and self-confidence. This will be the year we explore our inner worlds. This will be the year we pause and think before snapping at our coworkers, partners or children. This will be the year we work to discover who we truly are. This will be the year we create more balanced and peaceful lives for ourselves and our loved ones.

We all make resolutions. For a few days or weeks, we keep them. The alarm clock goes off in the frosty hours before dawn and we head dutifully to the meditation cushion or yoga mat. We leave the office after sunset and wade through puddles of slush to the gym or a meditation class. It's a new year, a new life... but it's dark, and it's cold, and it doesn't really matter if we hit the snooze button a couple of times, does it..?

The best time to begin is wherever you are right now. Each day - each and every breath - is New Year's Day. Summer mornings are cool and rosy; evenings are bright until long past January's bedtime. The habits you establish when it's easy will sustain you through the shortening days of autumn and the harsh winter months to come. Where do you want to be 365 days from today?

Happy New Year!