By Courtney Burkholder

New Year’s is one of my favorite times of the year. I think it’s because I like new beginnings. The New Year brings a fresh start and hope of a better tomorrow. It’s a time to leave behind unhappy memories, difficult situations, bad habits, and anything that has dragged you down over the past year. It’s like opening a brand new page in the notebook of your life, seeing the clean sheet of paper, and preparing to write whatever you like.

New Year’s is a time of resolutions. It’s a time to look deep inside and ask yourself the hard questions. “What do I want to change?” “How can I be a better person?” “What can I do to improve myself and my life over the next year?”

Many people make resolutions for weight loss and improving general health. I certainly do – whether it’s lose 10 pounds, cut salt from your diet, start exercising more or simply change your exercise regiment to challenge yourself in new and different ways. These are always important goals, and I make them every year. But there are many aspects of my life that need attention, and I try to find ways of improving myself on many levels – not just the outside. And you can to.

Improving your spiritual life. Attend church regularly or find a weekly bible study. Pray as a family. Maybe your current church isn’t meeting your needs, but you’ve been too busy to put forth the effort to find a new church home. This would be an excellent New Year’s resolution.

Renewing friendships. With our busy lives, it is easy to let old friendships slip by the wayside. This year, make those friends a priority in your life. A simple phone call or a note to tell someone you’ve been thinking about them can make all the difference. There are special people in your life that have been neglected, but it’s never too late if you are willing to make an effort.

Improving your marriage. Anyone out there have the perfect marriage? Then teach a class! Otherwise, if you’re like most of us, there’s always room for improvement. If there are big problems, taking the first step and finding a good counselor may be your No. 1 New Year’s Resolution. If you’ve just fallen into a rut, and need to boost that lovin’ feeling, how about setting a date night once a week with your spouse? A healthy, happy marriage is the basis of a strong family so be sure to set some goals to make sure your marriage stays on track this year.

Setting family goals. This year, my husband and I sat down with our children and explained the importance of setting New Year’s resolutions. We helped them to set some personal goals of their own (and I had plenty of suggestions!), and we made some resolutions as a family. My kids had some great ideas: from caring for our pets to helping out around the house. Including the kids in your resolutions can also offer a level of accountability that might not be there otherwise. Kids never forget, and they never let you get away with anything!

These are just a few suggestions to get you thinking outside the box. Don’t limit yourself to the same boring resolutions you made last year and the year before that. Get creative and find some areas of your life that really need a facelift.

2008 can be the best year yet. Making your New Year’s resolutions can get you started on the right track!