This is the time of year when decisions for healthy behavior is at extremes. At one end, I could be intentional about my health choices and reap the benefits. At the other end, I could ignore all sign pointing to healthy behavior and repeatedly hit snooze because it is cold and no one will notice.

People want your attention. Take a moment and look at your surroundings. If you are outside, there are billboards, vehicle graphics, political yard signs, and sale signs. If you are inside, there are magazine covers, flyers, and reminders. If you are online, there are digital ads, newsletters, mass e-mails, and pop-ups.

When you read the word "hurt" you immediately think of a situation in your life. In my practice, I watch people hurt. In some situations, hurt is part of the process. I relate "hurt" as a physical feeling to the emotion of grief. I also relate "hurt" as an emotional feeling that can be a response to what someone else said, did, or didn't do.

From the moment you wake up, you are making decisions. Thousands of micro-decisions are made everyday. You are either taking action on a decision or processing whether or not to act. There are likely several decisions ping-ponging around your brain at any given time. It is exhausting.

The word "probate" is confusing. And, quite honestly, doesn't sound pretty being said or heard out loud. If I could use a different word, I would. I don't like things to be confusing or intimidating for a person. But unfortunately it is the word we are stuck with. It originated in England so thank your friends across the pond.

One of my personality traits is to make sure everyone is happy. I am a peacemaker and problem solver no matter where I am. I don't like people to feel uncomfortable or disregarded. I don't like to leave a situation in unrest with no plan to fix it. Trying to make sure everyone is happy comes with the disadvantage of trying to have the answer for everything and be everything to everyone.

You make thousands of micro-decisions every day. The time you get out of bed. The amount of cream in your coffee. The length of your shower. Along with micro-decisions are macro-decisions. Do you get your child a tutor? Do you tell your boss you are behind on a deadline? Do you hire an expert to do your taxes?

One battle I wage everyday is to suppress my desire to assume the worst. As an attorney, I am trained to look for every possible scenario which includes worse case scenarios. On a personal level, my thought pattern of choice is "catastrophizing". I shared this with a friend and she asked "is that even a word?" I explained what it was and she couldn't believe I thought that way most of the time. I couldn't believe that everyone doesn't think this way most of the time. I think pessimism comes from experience. Life experience.

It is the new year!  A time for new beginnings, restarts and change.  I have written about new years resolutions in the past and yet each trip around the sun brings new ideas.