With the start of a new year just kicking off, I think it is a great time to take a minute and reflect. Reflect on what went right for yourself, and possibly even reason through some things that you may not be so proud of. Maybe 2016 was the most successful year of your life this far, maybe it was a year of major growth, maybe you found the love of your life, or maybe it was a rollercoaster year of many ups and downs. No matter what the scenario of your year was, there is one thing that everyone in this world has in common, it is over. 2016 is officially in the past, which means, there is a new beginning for everyone. 12 new chapters and 365 new chances for every single person. I know recently in my last article I stated that we should not live by the year, and I still stand true to that statement. I believe that once people come across something that they aren't happy about in their life they should change it at the moment. However, that doesn't mean you cannot try to better yourself every year and take a moment to reflect on areas that need change in your life. And for me, 2016 was a year that I am happy to leave in the past. Although there were many amazing moments I will cherish forever, I want 2017 to be a year of growth. Not necessarily growth that involves change on the outside, but bettering myself and growing as a mentally healthy, strong, and faithful young-adult. Here are 8 things that I will do differently in 2017, and 8 things I hope many other people will try to incorporate into their lives as well.

1. I will work harder towards my goals and pursuing my passions.

This is going to be the year where I finally start reaching my goals and striving for my dreams. Instead of believing that my dreams are out of sight, I will prove to everybody that anything is possible. I will become more dedicated to pursuing my dream as a journalist and I will focus on my future heavier than I ever had. Any goal is possible with a great work ethic and an open mind.

2. I will be more mindful of my actions and words.

This year, I promise to think before I speak and consider before I do. In 2016, I made way too many mistakes because I made rash decisions and never took the 47 seconds to reflect on consequences (good or bad). I would let my emotions get the best of me, and I would say things I don’t mean or do things that I knew deep down were wrong. Therefore, 2017 is going to be a year that mindfulness is a key quality to every thought or action of every day. And with being more mindful, I will be happier because my actions will be what I actually intend for, and I will stop hurting people I truly care about.

3. I will be happier.

Life is WAY too short to be unhappy and dwell on situations. This year, BE HAPPY. Don’t let the past get you down or others affect your emotions. You are the only person who can control how you feel, so instead of letting yourself be down, learn to let go of things you cannot control and learn to not worry about things you cannot change. I promise you will be happier.

4. I will be better at letting go of things/people that do not serve me.

To kind of go off the previous point, this year I will learn to let go of people or situations that do not serve me. People need to start going by the 5x5 rule; if it won’t matter in 5 years, do not spend more than 5 minutes being upset about it. 2016 was wasted so many times on being upset with what people would say to me or things that would happen, which wasted so much time where I could have been pursuing my passion, improving myself, and spending time with people I love. Therefore, if I learn to let go of things that are not helping me better myself, happiness will become more relevant and true advancement in life will start to unfold.

5. I will try to be more honest and build integrity with others.

Honesty has always been the best policy. Lying will always catch up to you and to other people that are surrounded by the lies. Therefore, this year I will become more honest with myself and others, because lying is pointless and the only way to truly see growth is to be honest with yourself about things you have done or said.

6. I will spend more time building relationships with the ones I love.

Instead of surrounding myself with people who bring me down, this year I am going to spend more time with my family and friends and the people that I love. After all, they are the people who support me through every decision I make and they help me become the person I aim to be.

7. I will grow in my faith and trust in God.

One of the most important things I learned in 2016, was the God is number one. In previous years, I somewhat lost my faith which made me lose sight in who I am and the goals that I have. But, I recently started going to church again and with worship and trust in the Lord I have become much more at ease. By feeding on the Word, it is shown that you never have to wonder or worry about what to do next. The Word of God is alive. It is like food that nourishes our souls. Our faith activates the Word and with belief in the Word, there are never any questions. There is always someone to talk to, always someone to listen to you, and never a question on what to do next. God states that You don't have to wait until the new year for a fresh start because his mercies are new every morning in Lamentations 3:22-23:

"Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

8. I will stop relying on others to make my happy, and start changing how I live in order to lead a more blissful and joyous lifestyle.

Finally, I will stop relying on other and rely on only myself. When you rely on others to bring you joy, sometimes it will happen, but sometimes it will not. Therefore, if you put all your faith in yourself and God and stop relying on others, you will never be let down and always feel full of happiness.