6 New Year’s Resolutions for a Better and Brighter year

As the New Year begins, it is time to let bygones be bygones, forgive, forget and start anew. One thing I love about New Year is that it gives us hope as well as courage. Courage to learn from the past, to move on and start over; Hope for a better and brighter future.

As always, it’s time to make resolutions though they many not stick around till mid January. ;) Here are the 6 Resolutions worth applying in the year 2015.

1. Live in the present moment- I am sure you all are familiar with the saying ‘Yesterday is History; Tomorrow is a Mystery; Today is a Gift, that's why it’s called a Present!’ As cliché as the saying might seem, it is very true! The present moment is all that is guaranteed. Cherish it to the fullest! Let your awareness always be in the here and now. Don’t dwell in the past as it is in the past; don’t worry about the future as it will take care of itself when the time comes.
2.  SMILE more often :) - Did you know that it takes 17 muscles to smile and 43 to frown? This scientific fact reveals that it is easier to smile than frown. Another amazing fact about smiling is that it is contagious. You know what they say ‘I smile, You smile!’ So why not brighten up someone’s day and yours by putting a smile on your face? Smile even when you don’t feel like it, it will boost your mood (and also you will get less wrinkles! ;) ) For more information on the benefits of smiling visit http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/15-fascinating-facts-about-smiling/
3. Spend quality time with your loved ones- Our loved ones are important part of our lives. And because we see them every day and because we think they will always be around it’s easy to take them for granted. In the New Year (2015), put your smart phone, computer, video game down, turn your TV off, log out of Social Medias and spend more quality time with your loved ones. You never know how much more time and how many more days you or they have left for doing so.
4. Avoid Energy Vacuums- There are some people who suck all the positive energy out of you leaving you exhausted, drained and unhappy.  Stay away from negative people and from habits that drain your energy.
5. Take time to ‘smell the roses’- It is very common for us to get so caught up with our busy lives and not take moments to appreciate what is around us and to savor what life has to offer. Most of the time we become engrossed with everyday activities such as work, school, and everything else that is only a section of our life that we don’t take a moment to relish our existence. Life is not a rehearsal! Don’t let life and the joys of life pass you by. Take a moment everyday to smell the roses; After all, You Only Live Once!!!!
6. Perform random acts of kindness- People who perform random acts of kindness will tell you how good it made them feel. It has actually been scientifically proven that kindness increases immunity and production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood in the brain. For more information visit http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/in-the-face-adversity/201211/practicing-acts-kindness  Aside from making you feel good, you are also reaching out to a brother/sister in need and making their life a little better.

 Finally, don’t forget => ‘Instead of counting off the days, make everyday count’
    Happy New Year!!! 
What are your New Year's resolutions? Feel free to comment below.
Thank you for reading!
Lidia