When this young girl is grown, her memories would not be mine, an ashamed, self-conscious, overweight teen. Rather, she’d fondly recollect swaying and laughing with her family to a loud Latin beat.

If you’re happy with those around you, show it.

Take time to tell someone you love how important he or she is to you. It doesn’t matter how often you’ve done it before. It can never hurt to say it again.

When I was young, my parents being overweight meant that they couldn’t play with me. It also meant that they didn’t have the energy for me. They were often too tired from their day to do more than sit down on the couch at the end of the day.

Learn about your past before it’s too late. It is a part of you and therefore will help shape your future.

That the more grateful we are, the happier we are. Here are several quick things to do to spread the happiness.

The money tree in the backyard looks a bit bare, so I was nervous, and frightened; leading to a dour me, when I had an epiphany. At least there’s no hurricane flooding my city, disrupting my life, and washing away all I know.

We engage mouth before activating brain. We dismiss our partner’s concerns as irrelevant. We can be inconsiderate, petty, or cranky. It’s part of the human condition; we mess up, and since we live with others, we hurt them. We don’t intend to — but we cannot deny that we do. It matters not how much energy you put into it, nor how long you’ve been together; even the finest relationships cause some pain.

Sometimes, there can be a fine line between getting support and having someone else run your life. Be open to letting others assist you. Listen to their ideas. However, if it doesn’t feel right, remember no one knows what’s best for you as well as you do.

In flashes of sanity, I realize — and I know you do too — that the most essential moments are slower-paced, and with those we most cherish. Yet, like the remainder of our lives, they too are whooshing by too quickly and without pause.

It’s easy to say resolutions don’t work and leave it at that, but the simple truth is that I got distracted by fantasies of my “New Me!” results and didn’t consider the effort and expense required by the massive changes I was taking on. When setting goals, it’s best to be realistic.

This year, however, she would not be sucked into his dark drama vortex. Since her divorce, she was working on accepting things as they were rather than how they “should” be. Therapy, a fitness program, and losing 33 pounds; was allowing her to reclaim her life. She would not let her boorish brother steal that away — not tonight, not again.

I don’t want a pony. I don’t need an electric train; and no offense intended, although I’ve got some beauties, I really don’t want any more ties. Here’s what I’d really like – it’s a one-size-fits-all list so you can get it for everyone.