Think positively and exercise daily, eat healthy, work hard, stay strong, build faith, worry less, read more, and be happy.

— Graciousquotes.com

It’s that time for New Year’s Resolutions. Even if you don’t make them or keep them, it’s something to think about. I’m keeping the resolution I made last year since I didn’t keep it very well at all. My resolution was to re-read every text or post I made before hitting the “send” button. I failed miserably right up to the very end. So, I’m giving myself another chance, a do-over, a mulligan. No more thsts for thats, or of for if, or are for ate. “I are spaghetti” rather than “I ate spaghetti.” One wrong letter changes everything. We’ll see how it goes. I may pick up a few other resolutions along the way.

The guides on NYR say make it simple and doable; maybe even short term then pick up another resolution. For example, maybe you promise yourself to clean out the coat closet or the junk closet or maybe even the garage so you can park your car inside. Decide when you can get it done, do it, check it off the list, and move on.

The last couple of years have really changed our lifestyles which may also impact our resolutions. If you decide to declutter — maybe finding you can no longer wear it, use it, ride it, cook with it, or even like it — you can sell or donate it. It might be just the thing someone else is hoping to find.

People often resolve to exercise, which is a good thing, but perhaps now we are striving more for good health over fitness which can be the same thing but more. Two friends had severe back problems resulting in lack of mobility. One agreed to come to a yoga class. After one class she showed much improvement. I’ve never met anyone who didn’t feel good after a yoga class. The second had difficulty walking the track. A trainer noticed and suggested she do two simple exercises ten times each. The next day she was up and walking.

Libby DeLana wrote, “Humans need to move. We are built for it…our days are filled with sitting indoors, in cars, unmoving. Walking stimulates not only the body but also the mind. Creativity, innovation, focus, wonder; these are just some of our companions when we walk.”

Our minds need a good workout as well. Especially after the load of stress we’ve been carrying. Give your mind a break. Jewell Johnson wrote, “I grabbed the newspaper and read about fatal accidents, drive-by-shootings, child abuse, and domestic violence. I resolved to change the way I began each day…the first imprint on my mind will be God’s Word.”

Cambridge Dictionary defines the soul as “the spiritual part of a person that…continues to exist in some form after their body has died, or the part of a person that is not physical and experiences deep feeling and emotions.” Wildsimplejoy.com says nourishing your soul means to maintain spiritual health by having and giving unconditional love and joy to yourself and others. Doing any or all of these just might change your whole world or someone else’s.

Shannon Bardwell is a writer living quietly in the Prairie. Email reaches her at [email protected].