New Years Resolution: Focus on the Postives

There are a lot of New Years' Resolutions I considered. I do want to meet some running and fitness goals. I also want to lose a few pounds, like many others out there. But I wanted a different resolution - something that would really help me improve my life and happiness; and that of my family as well. So, for 2010, my resolution is to focus on all the positives in my life, and to let all the negatives go. I want my life to be about the good things, not about what went wrong. Life is too short to focus on anything but the best.

Five Ways to Stay Positive

1. Relish every moment. I plan on celebrating every milestone, whether it's a job promotion or my daughter getting a smiley face on her Kindergarten homework. Every accomplishment deserves the spotlight for at least a moment.

2. Take a deep breath. When something goes wrong (and inevitably, it will), learn from it and move on. Breathe deep, blow out and keep moving. I don't need any extra baggage weighing me down in life - leave the negative bags where they are.

3. Keep a thankful journal. Every night, write down one thing I'm thankful for. Write in it during the day when I have another 'thankful' moment. Read the journal whenever things get rough - just to remember that I have so much to be thankful for.

4. Surround myself with positive people. My friends, family, our kids teachers, therapists and everyone else in our lives are all incredible people who bring happiness to us. I know any problem I have or our family has, one of the people in our support system can help us. I realize what amazing people we have in our lives, and what a difference each of them has made.

5. Focus on what's important. What's important is happiness. By putting what we love and want first, life is filled with happiness.