Every year, around this time, everyone starts to think of what their New Year's resolution should be. No matter how hard people seem to try, the same resolutions seem to be proclaimed.

Since I was about 16, I decided to stop making resolutions. I felt they were a waste of time and no one ever stayed true to them anyway.

This year, I decided that I will be making a resolution. And that resolution will be “to be the best me.”

Quite ambiguous you might say, but it is really a lot simpler than it sounds.

Each year I seem to notice more and more about life. You get older, you see the people you grow up with change, your parents getting older, heinous crimes still being committed. It almost seems as if every year is just a repeat of the last.

One day I came across a quote that I have seen too many times to count, but it really resonated with me seeing it this time. The quote, which I’m sure everyone has seen or heard at some point is, “Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That’s why we call it the present.”

I had a small epiphany.

I’ve always wondered what it would be like to be able to have multiple lives, so you could just make any mistake and start anew. After reading this quote, I came to the realization that we are given a new opportunity each day, and decided to make this my resolution for 2016.

So how do you become the best version of yourself?

Well, for starters, as I mentioned, you have to realize that every day is a new chapter. It sounds like I’m oversimplifying life, but the truth is that we overcomplicate life. Life comes down to choices. Each morning you wake up and often the way you start your day usually sets the mood for the rest of the day. I encourage you to clear your minds. Eat a good breakfast, don’t worry about the little things, it’ll all be over soon enough.

Secondly, work on having only positive thoughts. I’m sure many people have heard this cliché before, but it is so true. The power of thought is remarkable. The only thing that is consistent throughout the day is your thoughts, and only you control them.

Lastly, try and learn something new every day. By now you’re probably thinking that this is the some motivational stuff your kindergarten teacher used to fill your head with, but trust me, the day you stop having the excitement for learning and growing as a person is when you allow your life to become redundant.

I try to either read something informative, meet someone or simply just take the time to reflect on my experiences for the day. You’ll be surprised on just how impactful a few minutes can go to shaping your mind and thoughts. Self-reflection can be a great tool in helping you grow as a person as well, because at the end of the day, the only person who can truly empathize with you is you.

Despite all the mayhem and craziness that transpired in 2015, there is always hope for a brighter future.

Everyone wants the best for themselves and those they care about and there is no better way to work to achieve the best without first bettering yourself. Too often I see people pointing the finger at one another, whether it’s a racial issue, political or just an arbitrary argument, there is always someone being blamed.

Take the time to look in the mirror. Maybe the problem is you and you don’t even know it. Maybe there was never a problem to begin with and you’re just taking out your frustration on others. Either way, there is room for improvement.

I don’t know about you, but I want to make 2016 a much better year than 2015, and there’s no better way to start than by improving myself. And whatever your resolutions might be, I wish you the best for the coming year.