As we bid adieu to 2018 and welcome a new year, it's exciting to consider all the fresh, wonderful possibilities that await us. Whether you aim to lose weight, start a business, have a child with your partner, buy a new home, or simply read the slew of books collecting dust on your shelf, a new year affords us the opportunity to assess our goals and work toward them in earnest. And what better day to get cracking than on January 1? A new year means a clean slate -- a blank canvas waiting to be filled with your lines and splashes of color. While we're at it, why not make it into a masterpiece? Having a great year necessitates keeping oneself focused on the present . Resist the nagging urge to reflect on what you didn't accomplish or did wrong last year. Move on and focus solely on the ways you can make 2019 infinitely better than 2018. Aim for progress . Rather than comparing yourself to your peers, compare yourself to the person you were on December 31, 2017 and...

Hug a little tighter. Kiss a little longer. Love a little harder. Life is short, and we ought to make every moment count. Cease putting off working toward your dreams. Forget about tomorrow, for we don't know if it'll ever come. Live for today. Seize the day. Whether you want to write a book, travel to India, or start your own business, now is the time to take the first step toward making your goals a reality. Nurture relationships that are worth your time and effort. Sever ties with people who don't enrich your life. Instead of aiming for a large group of acquaintances -- the people you have as "friends" on Facebook but seldom talk to -- focus on building a small circle of tight-knit friends and family. Tell these people as often as you can how much you cherish them. Indulge your hobbies as much as humanly possible. Write, read, draw or paint to your heart's content. Make or dance to music like no one's listening or watching.  Broaden yo...