As the new year looms, people all across the country make resolutions they swear to complete in 2017, just as they promise every year. Fitness trackers fly off the shelves and Christmas treats are thrown in the trash by those who want to live healthier. Calls are made and family reunions are planned by those who declare that they'll keep in touch with family and friends. Others still vow to live more and worry less, or even make personal changes like being friendlier or more charitable. Most of these resolutions don't even last — Forbes.com says that a meager eight percent of resolutions are completed out of the 40 percent of people that make them.

Most New Year's resolutions are all wonderful, worthwhile, and commendable goals, don't get me wrong. Living a better life — whether through your health, relationships, or other endeavors — can be an extremely rewarding, although possibly lengthy, process. The next few months can hold physical, emotional, and social transformations that can change people's lives in the long run for the better. I've seen for myself the extraordinary things that can happen when people do keep their word and go through with their resolutions. Truth be told, the only problem with New Year's resolutions is the timing.

Why do we wait for January 1st to change ourselves, our relationships, and our lives for the better? Why put off to the New Year what could be done today

While the New Year does hold some sort of unparalleled motivation to get things done, living life to the fullest shouldn't wait for a new calendar year. All 365 days of the year are an opportunity to be a better person, and all 525,600 minutes are a perfect moment to be healthier, to love more, to give more, and to live more.

The New Year is all about having hope for the good times to come and wishing for the strength we need if we fall upon hard times. It shouldn't be an excuse for waiting to make changes. We reflect on the year that's just passed and say we can make this year different. Usually, though, there's nothing stopping us from making those changes right now. So, throw out all the carbs in your kitchen in the middle of October. Reconnect with an old friend in June. Do something nice for someone every day of the year. These kinds of things can be done any day, and we don't have to wait until 12:01 a.m. to get them done.

January 1st is just a day on the calendar. Saying "I'll make that my New Year's resolution, and start it then." is just delaying something that could be started today.