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Everyone seek the key to happiness outwardly
but only the wise know it lies within.!
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This year I thought I'd try something new with my New Years Resolutions. I am doing this basically because they have never really been successful for me before. Since my track record is pretty much worthless, I thought I'd try a new path, give them some new sparkle.

Each year I say things like: "I am going to exercise more." "I am going to eat healthier." "I am going to lose 5 pounds." Well, if those had been working I'd keep setting them and completing them, but they are not.

So, this year instead of focusing on what I am not doing well enough, I have decided to focus on my strengths and use them more. That sounds simple enough and definitely more positive. Don't you agree?

To begin, I will tell you my top 5 Signature Strengths. Do you want to know yours? You should! It will make you feel good! It will help you focus in a new way. Give yourself some "sparkle" for the year to come. Go to: http://www.authentichappiness.org . On the top left hand corner it says VIA (this stands for Values in Action)

Signature Strengths Questionnaire. Log in and go ahead and follow the directions. In about 25 minutes, you'll know your Signature Strengths too.

So, these are mine:

*Kindness and generosity

*Capacity to love and be loved

*Curiosity and interest in the world

*Fairness, equity and justice

*Gratitude

So, now I can take each of these strengths and make them bigger, make them more useful, make then shine. Have them really become a part of my everyday life.

These will now be my New Year's Resolutions for this year.

Kindness and generosity: I commit to reaching out more to those in need, not just in my small world, but in the larger world. I will pay more attention and not get caught up in my own activities.

Capacity to love and be loved: I commit to being more available to those I care about. I will not put my work in front of those who are important to me.

Curiosity and interest in the world: I commit to expanding my knowledge in my work world as well as my personal life, pursuing activities I enjoy and want to learn more about. I will put extra effort into the personal side of my life since that part seems to not get the attention it should, such as taking classes just for fun and not for career reasons.

Fairness, equity and justice: I commit to treating all people fairly; even those I do not know well or are not within my circle of friends, family or my small world. I will give people the benefit of the doubt, without judging.

Gratitude: I commit to truly appreciating all that I have. I will enjoy my good life and understand that my life is a gift and I must cherish it and keep it in my awareness at all times.

So, my mid-life friends, what are your New Year's Resolutions? Are you ready to put a new spin on them and not do the same old thing you do every year? Stretch yourself, try something new....and while your at it; I'd love to hear what they are!!

This is your year to "sparkle" so start yourself off on a positive path!

Kim Kirmmse Toth is a licensed clinical social worker in private practice. In addition, she is a Certified Retirement Life Planning Coach who works with baby boomers who are savvy enough to plan ahead for their retirement years. She works with the non-financial side of retirement, a piece that can easily be ignored. Kim deals with all aspects of mid-life transition or women and men alike. Her work is based in Positive Psychology, helping people to use their strengths to achieve their goals and dreams. She runs teleclasses via the telephone and is available for workshops and other speaking engagements. She may be reached at 720-922-1201 or check her website at: http://www.myretirementbydesign.com/ *********************

Kim Kirmmse Toth(c). All rights reserved.

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