Good morning from the first day of 2010

Hello my friends and welcome to a New Year. A Blank Slate. A New Beginning. The only New Year's resolution I ever kept was the one when I decided not to make New Year Resolutions.

Today is not some miraculous fresh start. We are still the same people we were yesterday, and the day before that, and the week before that, and the year before that, and even the decade before that. Every day is a new chance to do something different than we used to. Every morning is a new opportunity to do something better than the way we are used to doing it. Each moment is a fresh start to make a change, make a difference, make an impact, make it memorable. Do not get bogged down in the promises made to do too many things, too differently than you did 'last year'. Get motivated every chance you have to make a slight change you can live with until it becomes habit and then do it all over again. You didn't create the mess/problem/situation/ overnight in one fell swoop and you can't fix it, clean it up or undo it overnight either. There are so many clichés that remind us of this.

• One day at a time
• The journey of 1000 miles begins with the first step
• All good things in all good time
• Patience is a virtue
• Don't bite off more than you can chew

Well, you get the idea. So my advice today (not that anyone asked for it) is to look at your life, your plan, your agenda, your calendar and try to be more realistic about it. Try to enjoy the tasks you take on instead of taking on tasks that overwhelm you. Learn how to say 'no' (politely). Don't be afraid to ask for help. When you offer to help - mean it! Be kinder to yourself. Be kinder to others. Smile! Tell the people you love how you feel. I think the most important thing you can do for yourself and the people you love is to take better care of yourself. Drink less, smoke less, weigh less. Smile more, laugh more, love more.

Have an awesome year and remember to stop and smell the roses, or the laundry - fresh and warm from the dryer, or the baby, or that spot right behind your spouse's ear, or any other of the other amazing things out there that we take for granted every day.

Happy New Year!