Happy New Year (Almost!)

On this last day of 2010, I find myself looking forward to a New Year. It is tempting to think about setting a bunch of New Year's Resolutions and goals, but what about adding ONE healthy new habit, with the option to add others as you go?
When I say add one thing, it can be as simple as deciding to buy a water bottle and drink more water each day or making a choice to try a new food once a month. For me, adding something positive is so much easier than "taking away." I guess I tend to be stubborn and oppositional by nature, because as soon as I do a "takeaway" I immediately rebel and begin to obsess about whatever it is I am now depriving myself of. A recent article (in Experience Life) about people and goal achievement described research that found participants who asked the question "will I ____?" did better than those that made statements like "today I will___". It seems strange, but maybe many of us do better when we can feel empowered by a choice, rather feeling obligated by a restrictive demand.
I also like the idea of setting new goals and intentions throughout the year. Let's face it...the dark days of January are not often the time when we feel charged up and full of energy. It's really a time of year to rest, stay warm, and find gentle ways to keep your mood and energy stable. I really believe that this is why so many folks fail at their exercise "resolutions". They decide to get up 2 hours earlier to hit the gym at 5am each day and then feel badly when after about 2 weeks they feel depleted and tired and simply give up. There's nothing wrong with early morning exercise, but maybe the winter months are not the best time to begin.
Whatever you may decide...to set resolutions or not....may you have a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!!