Everyone says life is short, but nothing is a bigger reminder then waiting on New Year's Eve for the clock to strike 12:00. That's when you realize how fast the year has gone by (and unfortunately it goes by faster as you get older).  

How will you remember this year?  What have you done that mattered?  What happiness have your brought to yourself and others?  

You don't have to wait until December 31st to reflect on those questions.  And if your answers to the above questions are less than stellar…don’t worry…HOPE IS NOT LOST.  All you have to do is remember that you live in this moment, and as long as this moment exists, you have the ability to transform into the best version of you.  

To help get you started, here is a list of 10 things you can do before the year is over that will definitely make you a better person. 

Start A Gratitude Blog

The best way to find happiness is to look for it.  The truth is that happiness exists in the simple things. Challenge yourself to find 3 things you're grateful for every day.  It doesn't have to be profound, it can be elementary, such as being happy for the sun shine.  The more you open yourself to life appreciation, the more beautiful life becomes.  Creating an online journal is free and easy.  Wordpress and Blogger offer free blogs that only take a few minutes of your time to set up. And to further simplify the process, just use your email to post to the blog.  Also, blogs offer privacy features if you don't want anyone peeking.  Don't wait until January 1st to start a blog, start now.  

Take Dance Lessons

Ever wanted to waltz, or break dance?  There's no time like the present.  Dancing is a great form of expression.  It's a wonderful way to relieve stress, lose calories, and have fun.  You can learn how to belly dance or salsa or swing.  Take a partner or go by yourself.  Most everyone wants to know how to dance, but there's always an excuse.  Remove the excuses! A dance class will only take up 2 hours a week, and after a while, you'll have learned a skill you can show off on New Year's Eve.

Volunteer

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." No truer words have ever been spoken.  When you volunteer, you may be donating your time, skill or money, but what you get back is the true value.  You'll be amazed at how much your heart opens when you look for ways to bless others.  Determine what you'd like to do; there's an organization that will match you.  Would you like to work with children, or the elderly?  Do you have a heart for immigrants, or the homeless, or the sick?  There's no doubt that whatever you choose to do (or not do) will have an impact on someone else.  Actively seek out ways to give, and make this year a better year for someone else.

Commit to an Exercise Program

Unless you've just come home from the Olympics, you can probably stand to dedicate yourself to an exercise program. Exercising is a great way to stay healthy, because it's hard to justify half a dozen donuts when you get through a rigorous exercise program.  The most common New Year's resolution is weight loss.  Well, get a jump on that and start now.  You don't have to go big, starting with a 10 minute daily workout will train your body & mind.  It only takes 3 weeks for action to become a habit.

Smile More

Mother Teresa said, "A smile is the beginning of love."  In our society today, we avoid eye contact, and human intimacy.  A smile is a way to regain human connection with another.  Smiling has many health benefits, such as lower blood pressure, boosting the immune system, and releasing endorphins.  When you genuinely smile, it's impossible think negatively.  

Take A Mini-Vacation

You don't have to go far.  Take a weekend, and check in to a hotel across town.  Behave like a tourist, rediscover your city. You just came from a Summer vacation?  Well, take a Fall one, and enjoy the crisp blue skies, and the brisk weather of the season.  Visit the places you've always wanted to see. Since you've saved on gas and airline prices, splurge at a fabulous restaurant.  Take the time to enjoy what's around you.

Find Old Friends

In these days, when everyone's connected to the internet, finding an old friend is as simple as a Google search.  There's all sorts of social networking sites like Facebook, MySpace, Reunions.com, etc. that allow you to reconnect with old school buddies and former work colleagues.  There's always someone that you want to catch up with, and there's no better time to do it then right now.  Reminiscing with old friends reminds us of how far we've changed.  It also helps us to identify with the core of who we are, because certain things never change.

Vote

If ever there was a time to vote, it's now.  Never before in U.S. history have we had such an exciting race.  No matter whose side you're on, there is change on the horizon for U.S. politics.  Go out and let your voice be heard this November.

Read a Good Book

Everyone has bookshelves filled with the "I'll get around to it next week" books.  Grab one, dust it off, and get to reading. If you've read all your books, or are searching for something new, you can find recommendations for fantastic books here on this site.  Find a book that is motivating and self-edifying.

21 Days of No Complaining

Last year, a Missouri pastor started a revolutionary idea: challenge yourself to 21 days without complaining.  This is quite possibly the most difficult idea known to man, and especially woman.  It sounds simple, but it's actually very humbling when you start to pay attention to how much you complain on a daily basis.  Make sure you tell your friends and everyone you meet that you're on a complain fast, and they will hold you accountable.  Expect to spend a lot of time in silence.  Even better, find the positive angle and talk about that.  One of the benefits of spending 21 days of no complaining is that after your time is up, you'll be less likely to complain about the trivial stuff.