Happy New Year!

September is a month of metamorphosis. From fresh starts at school to new apartments to autumn leaves, change is self-evident. It’s presence can be felt through all five senses and transform life as we previously understood it to be.

.

So I propose a movement. A calendar shift of New Year’s Day from January 1^st to September 1^st, effective on this day in 2012. The traditions are similar, except New Year’s Eve is spent at a bonfire with the people that matter most to you, sharing memories and celebrating the past, future, and most importantly- the present. As the first to observe this revised holiday, I’ve created a list of resolutions. These are not your typical New Year’s resolutions, but rather a new guideline on how I plan to live. Cheers to transformation!

.

• Be real. Zero caddy, petty, or dramatic behavior (no exceptions).
• Be honest. No lies, exaggerations, or BS (for any reason).
• Love without conditions or expectations.
• No talking about the lives of celebrities (unless the conversation relates to a pep talk or constructive lesson about life).
• Less profanity.
• Make more eye contact and smile.
• Give at least one stranger a compliment every day.
• Be safe, but not scared. There is no room in my body for fear.
• Spend more time with children and animals.
• Be conscious, be present.
• Stay curious. Try something new every week (activity, food, location, music, etc).
• Let go. The only things I have the ability to control are my own thoughts, intentions, and actions.
• Don’t be negatively critical whatsoever. Instead be positive and encouraging in my words and actions (to others and to myself).
• Be patient and kind. The most wonderful things take time.
• Read 1-2 educational books a month.
• Interview motivated people and collect advice from different perspectives.
• Ask 10 people a week about songs and create 1 mixtape each week.
• Create 1 drawing, painting, or invention each week.
• Be active at least 30 minutes a day and exercise 1 hour 3 times a week.
• Rearrange my taste buds by reducing sugar and salt intake.
• Limit social media usage to 30 minutes daily.
• Make a budget plan and be precise with my finances.
• Floss everyday.
• Meditate at least 15 minutes every night.
• Be the change. Volunteer one weekend a month.
• Be with family. Visit home one weekend a month.
• Send love. Write and mail 1 letter to a friend each week.
• Speak less, listen more.
• Complete at least one thing on my bucket list by next September. 
• Dedicate good vibes to one person in the world each day.

Happy New Year everyone!