“Happy Christmas, Mommy!” “Merry New Year, Daddy!” Our 3-year-old twins, Cassie and Jules, may not get the words quite right, but their feelings are conveyed clearly in chorus: The holidays are the most magical time of the year.

And one of the best parts of the holidays is that their climax results not in an ending, but a beginning. The anticipation of New Year’s Eve is heightened by the fact that the very next day will be a brand new year.

A new year is a fresh start, an opportunity to overhaul the way you think and re-evaluate your goals. This year, I am claiming 2002 as my launching pad, the basis for opening my heart and choosing the sky as my limit.

My resolution is to give back as much as I can: to my kids, who give me more love and pride than I ever could have imagined; to my husband, who provides me with the stability and affection I need to thrive; to my extended family and friends, who support me in good times and bad; to the community, which teaches and houses us; to the country, which defends our freedom and liberty; and to the world, which needs all the help it can get.

The pride I feel to be an American has inspired me to do whatever I can – locally and globally – to make a difference. By sharing information and resources and donating time, money and blood, I hope to shine a little bit of light in my corner of the world.

Perhaps you already have thought about and committed to your resolutions, deciding to make positive strides in 2002. But if you haven’t, here are some ideas for you to consider:

• Promise to love your children more than life itself. They are the sun that you revolve around. And when times get tough, remember: “You are my sunshine.”
• Vow to cherish your partner, no matter how hard it gets. Having kids can wreak havoc on a relationship. Remember that it was the two of you before it was the three (or more!) of you – hold on to the love that got you the babies in the first place.
• Swear to accept your body, in every shape it may be. Pregnancy and parenthood can leave your body weak, plump, saggy or wrinkled. Before getting down on yourself, pat your “baby place” and remember why it happened – and know that you made a miracle.
• Commit to forgiving those who have hurt you in the past. Don’t hold grudges – against your parents, your friends, or whoever has upset you. Let it go.
• Pledge to contribute to society in a positive way. Do whatever you can, no matter how small, to make a difference in someone’s life. By helping a neighbor, you have touched a soul you know. By donating to a local or international charity, you have touched a soul you don’t know. Either way, the impact resonates in their lives – and your own.

From our family to yours, Happy New Year!

Find 365 things to do with your kids using our Parent-Child Activity Calendar!

For a look at how New Year’s is celebrated around the world, as well as how to say “Happy New Year” in 20 different languages, visit: www.fathertimes.net/traditions.htm.