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| 10 Resolutions You'll Actually Want to Keep  Instead of resolving to give up something, why not pick a resolution (or two) that really matter to you and that you will actually enjoy sticking to? These resolutions are not only good for you and your family, but they’re eco-friendly—and FUN too! Starting in 2008, resolve to get more of what really matters in life… 1. More Memorable Traditions: Make a box into a time capsule and decorate it with pictures of your hopes and dreams for the years to come. In the time capsule, each person in your family or circle of friends can deposit a journal of New Year’s resolutions and goals they want to accomplish in the next year and reflect on accomplishments for last year. 2. More Fun. Get to know your neighbors by organizing a community potluck dinner that travels from house to house, or designate one night a month to get together with friends for dinner or to play board games. 3. More Time Slow down and take a moment each day for yourself. Designate one or two nights each week when you turn off the TV, make a meal and eat dinner with family or friends. 4. More Money: Recover from holiday spending by making a plan to stay out of debt and stick with it all year long. Make a plan to increase your savings by setting up a direct deposit from your paycheck to your savings account. 5. More Creativity: Pick something you have never done before and make sure this is the year you do it. Try your hand at Japanese cooking, learn to knit with the kids, or sign up for lessons in hip-hop, swing or salsa dancing. 6. More Nature Instead of resolving to go to the gym three times a week, pick one day to go walking, hiking, skiing, bike riding or just resolve to spend more time outside. 7. More Adventure Let your kids take one weekend a month to try new things, or expose them to something they have never tried before. For example, if your teenage son has been begging to go play paintball, try it together. 8. More Space Clean out your closet and organize a clothes swap with friends or donate those items to a local charity. 9. More Fitness Start your new diet by eating more whole foods (as opposed to processed stuff). Add more organic and fair trade foods to your diet too. Instead of punishing yourself with small portions and restrictions, focus on improving the quality of the foods you eat. 10. More Good Deeds: Rack up good karma points by doing a good deed for someone else. You could volunteer to baby-sit for a friend, help a neighbor with yard work or feed a stranger's meter. Or you could help out at a homeless shelter, retirement home or school throughout the year, when those places need the most help—not just during the holidays. Courtesy of the Center for a New American Dream, www.newdream.org. |
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