It's a New Year! Now What?

THE NEW YEAR has just arrived. Wow, it is 2012!  It's a time when we greet each other with the words "Happy New Year." Most of us have probably already celebrated the beginning of the new year with family, friends, or some social group - complete with fun, food, and good fellowship. And, some of us may have already made a new resolution or two for the new year.

Now what?

Perhaps the answer to this question ought to be, "Do something!" Do something you've not done before - or usually don't do. For example, do something for yourself. Do something that improves your health and well-being. Do something that helps develop your skills. Or, do something for someone else. These are worthy goals for any individual who desires a fresh start at the beginning of a new year.

What can be done? Well, it differs from person to person, but the sky is the limit. Start by pondering this question, and then dreaming a bit. Imagine what you could do. Arrive at a decision of what it is that could be done for self-improvement or in order to help somebody else.

Let the following ideas motivate you to contemplate your own list of possibilities: get a personal trainer; take an art class; go to the gym for a workout; ride a bike; go for a walk; participate in a Zoomba class; go golfing; play tennis; discover disc golf; play ping-pong; go bowling; play shuffleboard; shoot hoops; go fishing; read a book; establish a blog; write an article; write a book; visit someone in a nursing home; see someone in the hospital; mow someone's yard; or, run an errand for a neighbor.

The key here is to take action. Don't just think about something you could do. Don't just make a resolution in your mind. Don't just write something down on paper. Actually carry it out. In other words: just DO IT!

Then what?

Realize that what you've done is a good thing. Further, realize that the choice you've made constitutes a wise use of leisure. But, it is only a beginning. It can be done more than once. It needs to be continued - and chances are it can be carried-out all year long. Also, understand that many of us should decide to do more than just one thing in terms of helping ourselves or others.

May 2012 be your best year yet. It can be! And, part of the reason is what you choose to do for your own self improvement, and what you do for others.