Make This Your Year.

You have the power to make 2014 an incredible year. You can be happier, healthier, and a better person. I don’t believe in new year’s resolutions, but I do believe in long-term goals. Set goals for yourself. Make them happen. Keep yourself accountable for your own progress. We can’t plan ahead for the bad things that will surely come up. We can, however, make better choices every day so that those bad things don’t impact us as much. Start today.

As you’re reading this, smile to yourself. Your brain doesn’t know the difference between a real smile and a fake one, and they both make you happier.
Be nice to a stranger.
Do something nice for someone.
Call your mom and tell her you love her.
Tell people how grateful you are for what they’ve given you, and for the advice they’ve given you along the way.
Listen, really listen.
Put down your phone and spend some time with the people around you.
Bask in the beauty of this moment.
Realize that the present moment is all you’ve ever had, and do your best to live in it.
Stop worrying; it won’t help you fight your problems, it only ruins the moment that is right now.
Do things you love just because you love them and you deserve to take time for yourself.
You know that thing you’ve always wanted to do? Start doing it. Find a way. If you had something pop into your mind as soon as I said that, it means it’s a thought that isn’t going away: listen to yourself.
Do the right thing.
Breathe.
And then smile again.

This is your year. How will you make it a great one?