Well, here it is — 2017. A new year. A new me. A new resolution. Just four numbers and the right resolution has the potential to change someone's life. I normally don't participate in creating resolutions for the new year, until now. After the many parties I attended this past holiday season I started to catch myself as well as others saying “time has just flown by!” or “How are you, I have been meaning to catch up.” But here's the reality behind that. The length of a year, month, or day doesn't change. However, ourselves and our outlook on life does. I am going to take this year to focus on others and appreciate each day.

I remember being in elementary school waking up and being so excited for the day ahead of me. Now, I dread hearing my alarm waking me up to the same routine of school, work, and general life. I am rarely finding excitement, and that's because I am finding excitement in the wrong things. You see, many of us are taking our days for granted. We aren't finding the potential each day holds. We don't take time to invest in our friends, family, or neighbors. Life gets hectic for everyone and the day might seem to go by fast but that is no excuse to let life pass you by. I am a firm believer that if something is important to you, you will take time for it. So why aren't we taking thirty minutes out of our day to have coffee with a friend and catch up? Or stop and have a five minute conversation with our neighbors? Or to just thank God for another day.

Let's stop letting time “fly by.” Wake up each morning and be thankful for what you have ahead of you. Each day is a new day. So use those 24 hours to expand relationships. To catch up with old friends. To call a loved one. This time next year I want to be able to know what struggles and accomplishments others have been through. I want to be able to notice when someone doesn't seem themselves. I want to invest more of my time appreciating the little things. I want to be able to recognize the value of time. Bring it on, 2017.