Make This Year's Resolution be to Live, not Merely Exist.

On the day to day you hear mutters of those around you wishing they had less paperwork, wishing they didn't have so many bills, or that they were more successful. However, at least once a year you hear those same individuals take ownership of their lives and proclaim "New Year resolutions". It is a fascinating phenomenon in which individuals who previously had no control of their lives or the outcomes of their choices are momentarily granted full control of their lives. Though most of us only take dare to take responsibility for our situations annually, the reality is that we are responsible for what we get out of life ever day, be it New Years Day or the middle of the year, what we make of life is our decision. To better ourselves and take on a challenge, or to pity ourselves and take on a handle of whiskey, the choice is ours. That being said, owning up to the fact that the life we live is mostly the life of our choosing is not an easy fact to accept, and for most it is quite a burden to bare. Now I am not knocking someone for attempting to have a "fresh start" upon the dawn of a new year. The new year ushers in an invigorating feeling of motivation, and with that we should all strive to utilize that empowerment to finally achieve goals we have long set our sights on. However, in reality most of us stop there, or worse yet never achieve a single resolution in the first place. Some lose that ten pounds they had hoped for but never attempt to become more adventurous, while many if not most never lose the first ten pounds in the first place. No, I am not saying that we should not harvest extra motivation whenever it arises, instead I'm urging everyone to realize that every day harbors potential for us to alter our lives for the better. To be the person you want to be and do the things you want to do, even if it is only a step in the direction each day, it adds up to be so much more than all of the halfhearted  "resolutions" proclaimed over the third glass of champagne at each New Year's Eve party. So let go of the mentality that has been ingrained in each of us that we have to wait until a new year is on the horizon to make plans to better ourselves and set new goals, and realize that every day that you open your eyes and draw breath is an opportunity to seize your potential and strive to be the best version of you and accomplish all that you have always wanted to accomplish.