As we enter 2008, the usual plethora of articles have started showing up about New Years' resolutions. More often than not they focus on health, relationships, finances or success. They are precipitated by good intentions but often end up discarded because of a variety of reasons. I propose we all embark on a resolution that is not only necessary in order to maintain a civil society but one that has many mental and physical health benefits. It's called gratitude. Over the last several years a myriad of studies have arisen that show that when we are grateful we are happier more creative, productive and easier to be around. It may sound like a simple task. After all most of us, unless we were brought up in the wilderness by wolves, know that saying "thank you" is part of being a respectful human being. However the gratitude that I propose takes a little more effort. In order to reap the rewards one needs to be more mindful of his or her surroundings and their meaning. One of the best ways to embark on this activity is to begin a gratitude journal. It need not be written in every day. Believe it or not, individuals who wrote in their journals once a week were happier, but those who wrote three times a week were not.  Gratefulness should not feel like a forced march. Jotting down a list, however, is not how it works. To get the best outcome necessitates focus, and using ones' imagination. In other words as you write down an incident or interaction with someone, imagine how it felt. It is the re-experiencing that increases the health benefits. It is fairly commonplace to reflect on irritations, inconveniences and tragedies. What many of us don't realize is that what we continually practice becomes a pathway that our brain learns to traverse. If given the opportunity, why not expend our energy on that which feeds our hearts and souls rather than our demons. If we do not focus on what is good in our lives then it has no way of expanding. There are other possibilities as well. A family gratitude journal might be a nice way to create a shared history of joy and blessings. Write a letter of gratitude to whomever you feel thankful and then read it to them face to face. The feeling you will experience will last for weeks to come. Meanwhile I wish to share how incredibly grateful I am to this newspaper, its' employees, and to all my faithful readers. You have enabled me to fulfill a childhood dream. Thank you and Happy New Year!

By LORETTA LAROCHE
For The Patriot Ledger