Guest blog by: Dawn Hurlebaus The start of a new year often brings parties and indulgence. Instead of being careless, I am choosing to welcome the new year safely. I gently bid farewell to the year that is ending. As I reflect on everything it brought me—both good and bad—I choose to focus on the good. There are many accomplishments I am proud of. Today, I release the past year and embrace the future with hope and intention. In the past, when I used the word "resolutions," I often associated it with failure. I would start the year excited, promising to lose weight and exercise, but after about 30 days, I would slip back into my old habits. My goals were too broad—losing weight and exercising needed to be broken down into daily, manageable steps. I do love how new year’s resolutions inspire us to think about the changes we want to make in our lives. However, since my weight loss surgery, I’ve found I prefer not to use the term "resolutions." Instead, I think of them as my "ways of awareness"—intentional practices that help me live my best life. Call it whatever resonates with you—awareness, recharge, reset, intention, aim, aspiration, or something else. What matters most is finding the path that works for you and embracing the journey ahead. For example: Although my ultimate goal is to lose the weight I’ve regained, I am choosing to first focus on hydrating and eliminating liquid calories (#5 on this list). I am committing to tracking everything I eat and drink for the first two weeks (#6). I will take my daily vitamins and schedule a full set of labs (#11). Today, I’ll park as far away as possible from the store I’m walking into to get in some extra steps. New year’s resolutions can be a powerful way to shift the direction of your entire year—and even transform your life. Choose a few resolutions that resonate with you and embrace the happy, fulfilling life you deserve!Consider these “ways of awareness” to bring more happiness and joy into your life: 1 Laugh at least once a day. Laughter releases endorphins in the body and brings instant joy into your life. 2 Stay grateful. Reflect on your daily blessings and find gratitude in them. 3 Find hobbies that make you happy. What do you enjoy? Tap into your natural passions with a new hobby that brings you pleasure. 4 Reconnect with nature at least once a week. It’s important to enjoy nature and find time to explore it. 5 Eliminate liquid calories. Commit to saving all your calories for food. Drink lots of water. 6 Track everything. Have you ever heard the word “stalled”? If you feel like you are stuck, perhaps simply for two weeks track everything you eat and drink. 7 Express your appreciation to others. Ensure that others know you appreciate their efforts. Making them feel good makes you feel good too! 8 Clarify your priorities. Spending time on those activities that support what’s most important to you brings you satisfaction and fulfillment. 9 Organize events with friends. Your friendships can be a source of joy. 10 Exercise frequently. Exercise helps fight stress and increases energy. It can also improve your mood and make you feel happier. 11 Take your vitamins and make an appointment for a FULL set of labs. Are all your vitamin levels where they should be? What about everything else? 12 Get enough sleep. Researchers have found that getting enough sleep boosts happiness levels. 13 Stay present in the moment. You can find joy in the little things by enjoying each moment of the day. 14 Keep your mind active. An active mind avoids boredom, so you can find more joy. 15 Make new friends. New friendships instantly add joy to your life. 16 Give and accept more hugs. Hugs can lift your mood, and researchers have found they have a positive impact on endorphin levels. 17 Spend more time with your children. Instead of watching TV or focusing on work, find more time to spend with your children. See the joy of life through their eyes. 18 Play more games. Do you love board games or puzzles? Running around with your kids or pets? Let loose and spend some enjoyable time playing games. 19 Avoid anger. Giving in to anger drains the joy from your life and makes the people around you miserable. 20 Encourage the people around you. As you encourage others and help them find happiness, your own joy will increase. 21 Do something just for you. It’s important to find time for yourself. 22 Look for the positive aspects. Find the silver lining in all situations. 23 Smile more. Make smiling a priority and watch joy fill your life. 24 Create new goals. Find happiness in new directions and goals. 25 Reconnect with lost family members. Have you drifted apart from some family members? Rediscovering your bond will bring happiness to both of you.