A little over two weeks into the new year. 2017 has already been written on numerous documents, birth certificates, wedding dates, etc. Many people have set ambition "new year, new me" resolutions, ran out and joined/purchased a gym membership and after January 4th, they haven't been back. That's the thing about setting resolutions at the very start of the year... the holidays are still wrapping up, you are still on break from work and school, and it is not reality. This is why I think the first two weeks of the year are you time to actually think about what you resolve in this new year. What needs to be changed to create more happiness, more laughs and an overall better life. The first two weeks should be reflective before making conclusions on what you think the actions should be.

Reminisce - Think back, look back, reread everything you can get your hands on that you've posted, read, received and reflect on it. Recall all those times and the people in those moments. Think about the best times, the ones you laughed so hard your belly cramped and had happy drops roll out your eyes. Think about the worst times and why they were so heartbreaking. This seems obvious why some situations make your heart cup spill over with joy compared to the ones that shattered you, but really think about those. Think about where life took you in the days following those moments. Think about the ways the happy moments occurred and take mental note of how you can create more of those times. Think about the bad ones. Did you let them happen again? Why? Who did they involve? A lot of reoccurring negative situations that always seems to put you down or lower your excitement on even the best of days are looked over. Think about who is around you, what they are saying, what are you looking at that turns your stomach, and why whatever it is is annoying you or pausing your joy.

Strategize positivity - Okay, troops, now that you have spent a thousand hours looking back on your every move - just kidding, it should not be that intense, just a simple quick reflection or enough to challenge yourself. Make a game plan, set goals and figure out how you are going to make a happier you. Clear your social media feed, delete the accounts that bring negativity in your life. Leave the room or change the subject when the topic books a flight to Hades and makes your blood boil. Stop apologizing all the time and rather thank people instead, "sorry I'm late," has such a negative ring to it, whereas "thank you for waiting on me," is a positive alternative for both sides of the situation. Stop telling yourself to "lose 20 pounds," the word "lose" sounds like it's already chalked up as a loss. Spin it to, "20 pounds lighter." The more ways you can replace negative words with positive ones, eventually they will add up and create a more pleasant aurora which surrounds you.

Responsibility & Confidence - Start fresh this year and with a bleached clean slate, make it a top priority to hold yourself responsible. Responsible for the goals you set, the words you speak, the faces you make, the effort you withdraw, and food you consume. My fellow Americans, we all have been victims of playing the blame game for too long, it's time we buck up and hold our own. Let's not play the victim anymore either. This is a PSA, the world is not out to get you, (unless you are the most wanted list, then you should probably be hiding and not spending time reading this subpar article.) But really, this year let's be confident in ourselves and each other, like really I promise just because you walk into a room and someone looks at you, it doesn't mean the previous conversation was about your every action. Let's be confident in the goodness in each person, even if we are absolutely sure Satan himself blossomed their devil-heart, let's give them another benefit-of-the-doubt this year. Let's make the biggest promise to be confident in ourselves. The most confident in all the best of ways, like confident enough to not talk poorly about others for essentially no reason, confident enough to want to get healthy for yourself not because you want to look like Kayla Itsines, confident enough to apply for positions only Albert Einstein could be granted, and confident enough to find happiness in the saddest of situations. It is important to note the important distinction between confidence and cockiness. The Google definition of confidence is, "the feelings or belief that one can rely on someone or something; firm trust." And the definition of cocky is, "conceited or arrogant, especially in a bold or imprudent way." So let's all not become a-holes, but just better people that trust themselves.

This could all just be a bunch of bologna, I have no expertise in any advice scholarship, but I do know that some of these things that I want for myself this year. I want 2017 to be a year of me. A year I take responsibility for my actions, emotions, and future. I've been trying to pin-point what exactly my goals should be to make all my problems magically resolved, but I couldn't put a tac on it. Hence, my two weeks of thoughts. And no, I have not actually sat down every day for two weeks and game planned my 2k17... but, after taking a little time to consider how I got to where I am - the lumps in the road, the colorful celebrations, and all of the normal in-between days. I think I have a clearer vision of how I can make the sun a little brighter this year.

Well, folks, this has been another EGD ramble article. Have been awful about writing the past four months and that is definitely on my 2017 list of things to be better with, so be on the look out for more windows into my brain.

Be responsible, get confident, find positivity this year folks, and absolutely stay #Blessed.