People often say that life is short, but I find that statement to be an outright fallacy. Life is the longest thing any of us will ever experience. From creation to damnation – life is all we will ever know, and for that sole reason, we need to make every second of it count. Every 365 days we convince ourselves that on January 1st our clock gets a factory reset. We promise resolutions that we know we won’t hold ourselves accountable for, and we act as if it’s the only day of the year in which humanity can commit to change in a form of unitary progression. Unfortunately, year after year, we find that in a matter of weeks, we’ve somehow managed to lead ourselves down a path of utter disappointment while we recede back into our aged indiscretions. What we fail to see is that January 1st holds no obligation to us — it is merely one of 365 days a year that is unfortunately shouldered with the responsibility of presumed greatness. We hold it to the highest of expectations — as if the year’s outcome in no way relies on our own actions. What needs to be noted is that while 2017 owes us nothing; we owe ourselves everything. Whether you profess your honorable intentions on January 1st, June 15th, or December 29th, it's never too late to take actions that will improve the quality of your life.
The following is a list of 15 habits and practices that may challenge you to make 2017 your year:
1. Do something nice for someone each day and do it with anonymity. Once you start seeking recognition, you are no longer doing it for the sake helping someone else, but for own personal gain.
2. Be willing to accept things as they are. While I encourage you to ambitiously strive for more, it is important to be content with less.
3. Be passionate about everything you do, and if you’re not passionate about it, try to cut it from your life.
4. Give back. Nothing brings more fulfillment than the feeling of helping someone else.
5. Surround yourself with positive people. As cliché as it sounds, positive people equals a positive you.
6. Laugh. A lot. Then laugh some more.
7. Stop caring so much about what other people think. Live your life for you, not for someone else.
8. Don’t think that it’s too late because it never is.
9. Compliment someone each day – especially if it’s a stranger.
10. Be on time. Punctuality is respect.
11. Be a person of your word. If you make a promise, hold yourself accountable.
12. Have a purpose in life that goes beyond “I want to make a lot of money” or “I want to be famous.”
13. Never be afraid to make mistakes. We’re young; we’re supposed to make them. But make sure you learn from them.
14. Sometimes it comes down to either being happy or being right. Always choose to be happy.
15. Understand that happy isn’t always the norm. Bad things happen in life, but learn to deal with life on life’s terms.
