10 Resolutions to Make in the New Year

Resolution, n – A commitment that an individual makes that brings positive benefits to his/her life

I love the new year, because it’s the time when we start everything on a fresh note. It’s when we set new resolutions, positive intentions of what we want to accomplish for the year. In today’s post, I’m going to share top 10 resolutions to set for the new year. These 10 resolutions cover important areas, and when accomplished, will bring about great benefits to your life.

1. Spend more time with family. How many of us often prioritize work over family? Our family is the closest kin we have in the world, so spend more time with them. Let go of work for just an hour a day, and swap that with some quality family time instead. Check with your family members how they are doing at work, in school, and in their relationships.
2. Get Fit / Exercise more. Do you know that over 60% of Americans are overweight or obese? A healthy body is the key to a healthy life. Very few of us exercise as frequently as we would like. When things get busy at work, our gym sessions are usually the first to go. Unfortunately, that also means an increasing waistline and wider hips as the years go by. I’m planning a 21-day healthy living challenge on my blog with the start of 2011, where I’ll be exercising regularly and eating healthily (resolution #3) for 21 days straight. Since it takes 21 days to make or break a habit, these 21 days will help to set the positive habits in place for the year and beyond.
3. Eat healthily. The modern lifestyle has become one that’s filled with fast food and junk food. Time to take these out and eat some healthy food. Recently I’ve taken a huge liking for salad bars. They’re amazingly filling, and extremely refreshing change.
4. Connect with friends. Make it a point to meet up with friends regularly. Remember at the end of the day, our relationships are what give us the biggest fulfillment in life. Go take your phone book and call up your good friends from the past. Or simply use Facebook and search for them. Arrange to meet-up and catch up over a cup of coffee. I recently met my good friend over dinner and it was great meeting her after a long time. We made the commitment to meet up at least once every month so we wouldn’t lose touch.
5. Learn something new. Learning never stops. Life is our school, and there are things to learn everywhere we go. Go learn a new language, take a new course, read new books, learn a sport, and more. Check out these 42 helpful tips on how to improve yourself.
6. Meet new people. A new year is a great time to forge new friendships, while maintaining old ones of course. We can never have too many friends. Get out there and meet new people! Venture out of your social groups. Meet people whose work inspire you. Network with the top people in your field. Get to know your friends’ friends.
7. Meditate. If there’s only one habit you’re going to pick to cultivate, I’ll recommend you pick meditation. Meditation calms your mind and quietens your soul. It’s where you connect with your subconsciousness and unleash that idea genius in you. I’ve gotten some very interesting ideas from my meditations. If you’re new to meditation, it’s very easy to get started. Read: How To Meditate in 5 Simple Steps. 
8. Do more kind deeds. I think there’s never an end to how much we can help others. The more we give, the happier we’ll be. I’ve dedicated my life to helping others grow, and every day I get more satisfaction from my work than the day before.
9. Get rid of clutter. New year is the perfect time to declutter your environment. Do a spring cleaning of your home, your wardrobe, your bedroom, your storeroom and your work desk. You’ll find that removing clutter has a therapeutic effect: As you clear the clutter, you’re inviting new things to enter your life.
10. Stop procrastinating. How much time have you wasted in your life procrastinating? Honestly, life’s too short to be procrastinating it away. Start 2011 on a high note – it’s time to cut off all the bad procrastination habits and do everything you’ve been putting off. If you need some help, check out: 11 Practical Ways To Stop Procrastination

Skins fall short Against Patriots 34-27

With no support of a chance to win against the New England Patriots, the Washington Redskins played with heart and nearly pulled off a major upset.  Near to the end of regulation with 29 seconds remaining from the Patriots’ 9, Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss bobbled a short pass from quarterback Rex Grossman into the arms of Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo to seal the victory, 34-27.

“I was just thrilled that the defense made a huge play,” Grossman said about the final drive. “They kick a field goal and it is pretty tough to score twice. I was just pumped up that we had an opportunity. And then [we] converted some big third downs and kept moving the ball, and all of a sudden, we are in the position to tie the game, or go for two to win it.

“It’s just frustrating to play well and move the ball and then be in the position to win the game. To have it go the other way is frustrating.”  

The Redskins' (4-9) affair with the Patriots was back and forth, as it appeared that the team who had the ball last was going win as they matched touchdowns with touchdowns and field goals with field goals.

Despite outstanding numbers, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who finished 22-of-37 for 357 yards, three touchdowns and an interception, struggled to complete passes to his pass-catchers throughout the contest, especially in the red zone.  Brady’s passes were either too high or behind his targets.  If Brady was at his normal best, the Patriots would have had scored close to 50.

“We are always trying to score. We moved the ball pretty well,” Brady said. “We just didn’t necessarily get it in the end zone when we needed to get in the end zone. The frustrating part about today is that we left a lot of points on the board. The defense finished the game well and made a great play at the end to really save us.”

Scott Cunningham/Getty Images

However, the Redskins were moving the ball as well.  Grossman was making his normal bad passes mixed with timely, clutch attempts to his receivers.  Grossman finished 19-of-32 for 252 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

Clearly, the best aspect of the game concerning the Redskins was how balanced their offense was for the first time this season, but it is all about finishing.

“I don’t think there’s any question about it,” Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan said. “We made some plays. Unfortunately, we had a few penalties late in the game that really cost us. That holding down there on the 10-yard line, the one they called on [Maurice] Hurt.  We had a couple mistakes down there—pass interference.

“We had a chance to finish a couple drives and we didn’t. We set ourselves back a little bit. Overall, I was pleased with the effort, displeased not being able to finish it and do what you need to do to win.”

The Redskins’ rookie running backs carried the load for Washington. Roy Helu finished with 126 yards on 27 carries and Evan Royster contributed with 44 yards off six carries.  Helu became the first rookie running back to host three consecutive 100-plus-yard games.  The Redskins were fluent in their offense, in dramatic fashion converting on big third-down plays.

“It’s huge (the running game). Unless you have a one-dimensional offense, you have to have a balance,” Grossman said. “The runs have to put you in good positions to throw the ball, put you in third and manageable, getting first downs on first down, or getting first downs on second downs to keep you out of third downs.  Or getting big chunks helps open up the play-action pass. 

Scott Cunningham/Getty Images

“It’s everything to this type of offense and it was a pretty special today.  Every time I’d come out of my fake, [Roy] Helu was running down the field making guys miss, stiff-arming guys, and running through some wide open holes and making some plays.  It was good to see.”

The Redskins defense struggled to tackle Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski as he over-powered, carried and dodged defenders all afternoon for 160 yards on six catches and two touchdowns (a career high).

Nevertheless, when it was time to make a play, the defense responded.

On 3rd-and-4 at the Redskins’ 4, Brady targeted wide receiver Tiquan Underwood for the touchdown.  Redskins cornerback Josh Wilson played the ball and got the interception at the back end zone to give Grossman and the offense an opportunity to win or force overtime.

After the interception, Brady and offensive coordinator/quarterback coach Bill O’Brien got into a nasty shouting match from the sideline.  About two minutes after argument, Brady and O’Brien were going over game notes.

“I made a terrible play, so he just let me know I made a terrible play,” Brady said. “It’s football man, it’s a game of emotion. It’s athletics…I was looking there and then I was trying to throw to Tiquan [Underwood] in the back and was trying to get it over [tight end Rob Gronkowski] and there were two other guys on him and I put too much air on it. I gave the DB a chance to make a play.”

Grossman orchestrated a 13-play drive, which could have ended with a touchdown to set up extend play.  Moss caught an apparent touchdown with 1:15 remaining in the contest, but the play was called back due to his "questionable" offensive pass interference penalty. Instead, the drive ended with the ball bobbling off Moss’ hands into Mayo’s arms.

Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

“[I] didn’t make the play, plain and simple,” Moss said. “I didn’t make the play but, you know, it’s football.”

When asked if Grossman played better without suspended tight end Fred Davis, knowing he could not rely on his tight end, Redskins wide receiver Donte Stallworth suggested otherwise.

“It was difficult to tell because I was focusing on getting away from my man to get open,” Stallworth said with laughter, who led the team in receiving yards with 96.  “After I review some game tape, then I will know how Rex performed.  But Rex don’t get enough credit.  He’s a solid quarterback who knows how to get the job done and he did everything he could to help get us a win. 

Creating a Memorable Christmas

Focus on Fun

Rather than focusing on giving the perfect gift and making sure your house looks just so before guests arrive, lighten up and focus on making the day fun. If you are hosting a holiday party or meal, this applies to both you and your guests. Bring out some old family photos, give some gifts with a sense of humor, or set up a game. Rather than thinking of the holidays as some of kind of precious moment, consider it a party; whether you’re throwing it or attending it, do your best to make sure it adheres to the #1 tenet of any good party — it’s fun.

Toast to Traditions

Traditions help make the holidays memorable and give everyone something to look forward to every year. Whether it's making gingerbread cookies or engaging in some winter sports before dinner, this is a great way to put the focus on people rather than presents. If you don’t have a tradition yet, start one.

Forget Perfect

Martha Stewart may lay a beautiful table, but rumor has it she sleeps only a few hours each night! Perfection comes at a cost, both to you and your wallet. Focus on the things that are really important, recruit your family members for help, and accept that life is not a magazine; in many ways, it's better.

Give Great Gifts

An amazing gift isn't one that costs a fortune, but one that makes you truly excited about bringing it to the recipient on the big day. Don't trudge to the store and buy things because you feel you have to. Instead, find or make gifts that have meaning for you and those who receive them. Most importantly, forget about cost and worry about choosingsmall gifts your family and friends will truly use and enjoy. This is definitely more work than buying big, flashy presents, but you’re likely to feel better about thoughtful gifts you can really afford. Chances are, those who receive them will too.

Be Realistic

Problems and conflict with family often weigh on us during the holidays because we think it's a time when those issues should just disappear and be replaced by love and goodwill (like on TV!). It's not gonna happen, and you're likely to enjoy your holidays a lot more if you adjust your expectations accordingly.

by Tara Struyk  Wise Bread