Ever read The Way to Start a Day by Byrd Baylor? It’s one of my favorite read-alouds from back in my earlier career as a middle school teacher. On significant days I always picture the illustrations and hear the text of this book.

Today (or any day, for that matter) can be the day you start your New Year with a meaningful act or thought. Millions of us engage in the annual resolution-making ritual, only to feel discouragement and failure in a matter of days or weeks.

Here’s an idea that involves making the year great by focusing not on you, but instead on those people, places, concepts, events for which you feel grateful.

This morning I have enjoyed spending the early hours of 2009 over at The Greater Good Science Center, watching some discussions between Kelly Corrigan and Christine Carter.

Now I am inspired to start “practicing gratitude” as my one and only resolution for this year.

Here’s more on that and (yes!) within it lies a strong argument for writing sincere thank you notes, another of my annual New Year’s Day practices.

Speaking of this, here are some related posts from the Loosely Speaking Archives:

The Execution of Thank You Notes: Questions from readers

Thank you one and all: giving credit where it’s due

Thank You Notes: Do You or Don’t You?

More on Thank You Notes Expressions of Appreciation

April Series: Answering the Question: Do I have to write thank you notes for graduation gifts?