Happy New Year (a bit belated)!  There is something so fresh, exciting and inviting about turning the calendar to a brand new year.  We have a new chance to "get it right," an opportunity to be a better person, a responsibility to do the best we can in our circumstances.  I am blessed to have some pretty great examples in my family, but even more in the daily walks of those around not only my life, but yours as well.

Take, for example, the story of Notre Dame's Manti Te'o, who played through unbelievable loss and sorrow.  I heard about him on the CBS morning news today, but you can read his inspiring story here:  http://kansan.com/sports/2012/10/10/morning-brew-notre-dame-star-playing-through-emotional-pain/.  Talk about putting my own relatively minor obstacles in perspective.  That's Manti pictured above.

A new year is a chance to make smarter choices.  Mine started with my birthday last week.  Dave was on his way to the Antique Dairy Queen to pick up my birthday cake when he called and I impulsively asked him not to go, but just to come home and be with me.  I am fighting weight problems and that cake would have put me in a very bad way when it comes to fitting into my jeans.  While this may be a minor victory, for me it was, well...big.  I wanted that cake but the "new me" is determined to forego extremely high calorie treats like cake...and pie.  Sigh.  Having said that, I must also add that those cakes are the best in the business, so by all means, celebrate your big day with one.  I just have to stop somewhere. ;-)

Never have those weight loss commercials ever had a stronger impact on me but I have a stubborn streak.  I really do know the only way to lose weight and get fit is to eat less and work out more.  And I am not a big fan of working out.  However, The Biggest Loser started last night and that show is nothing if not inspiring.  So I will pay attention, try to make changes in my physical activity and make sure my calorie intake decreases for my own welfare.

Speaking of inspiration, I was really impressed on Facebook last week when I read multiple posts about Random Acts of Kindness.  I am a huge fan of this movement, from paying for the car behind you in the drive-through lane, to offering to help your single lady neighbor shovel snow off her walk.  There are opportunities out there every day to practice Random Acts of Kindness and the best thing about them is they're contagious: when you are kind to a stranger, that person often feels compelled to pay it forward.

So...whatever the New Year brings to you, I hope you are able to embrace the good, battle the adversity with success and manage your life with grace and kindness.