And now we dive into the first month of the year. We have a lot to do.

1. Be kind. That is most important. It’s amazing what a soft word or a greeting or a smile can do to lift everyone’s spirits.
2. Be grateful. I keep a daily journal that includes a recording of the weather, what tasks need to be accomplished, a list of what I created the day before, and five people or things for which I am grateful. My husband and hot tea make frequent appearances on this list. This small action reaffirms the positive in my life.
3. Be honest, not in a slashing-sword kind of way with your tongue but in the way you live in this world. Honesty has a definite shine to it. People will notice.
4. Create ~ every day. Doodle. Experiment with a new recipe or make a change to a familiar one. Rearrange the furniture. Get a library card and use it. Clean out a closet or a drawer ~ find new homes for the items you no longer use. Add a new color to your bedroom with a pillow or paint.
5. Take a hard look at the news feeds that flow into your inbox and unsubscribe until that flow becomes a trickle. You’ll be amazed at how much better you feel.
6. Turn off your phone for a whole day once a month then once every two weeks and then once a week. Judge for yourself how much technology you actually need in your life. I bet it’s less than what it is now.
   
   Experiment. Walk instead of ride. Read a book. Read two. Learn a new skill. Join a new group. You get the idea. Each of these minutes are yours. Don’t let anyone else decide how you are going to use your precious life.