Somethin’ about the start of a new year that makes us want to make “get healthy” resolutions. Okay, here goes. Try these on for size.

1. Resolve to be good to yourself and your body.

No more unhealthy diets of any kind, especially crash diets. No more punishing exercise routines. Your body has been there for you, day in and day out, no matter what else you do to it (including ignore it). Isn ‘t it about time we learn to appreciate that body, no matter what shape it’s in? Pamper it a bit — or a lot?

2. Resolve to think in terms of what else you can do to be good to your body, and to do that frequently. Like, everday?.

Maybe asking yourself this question would get you to upgrade your snack now and then, from something less healthy (e.g., danish) to more healthy (fruit and cheese). Maybe you’ll decide to take a walk instead of watch a TV show you’re not all that interested in. Maybe you’ll decide HFCS is so 1st decade 21st Century you want to drop it from your diet all together. And so forth.

3. Resolve to find ways to give yourself more joy and pleasure.

Yes, your read that right. Joy and pleasure are growth promoters too and they are wonderful for your health. Do you love music? Can you find ways to bring more of it into your life, or immerse yourself in it more fully, or more frequently? A concert now and then perhaps? More CDs for your classical music collection?

Always wanted to paint but never got started? You can live your whole life and never allow yourself to know the joy of creating in that way — or you can make room for it in your life this year (and sooner rather than later). Feeding your soul is important — and very, very health-promoting

Is time with friends what makes your heart sing? Perhaps you can structure that into a once-a-month get together. Or make even more friends so you can have more opportunities for these special times. Or perhaps you can take your penchant for being a good friend to the Big Brother or Big Sister organization. Or become a mentor.

And so forth. Think about what gives you joy and bring more of it into your life.

4. Decide how long you want to live.

Really. Why not assume you have some say in the matter? (I rather think you have a lot of say in the matter at the soul level, but why not make it conscious too?)  I recently decided how long I plan to live and it has been quite liberating. Suddenly I have this nice long stretch of relatively uncommitted living ahead of me and it feels very nice. Lots of things — an infinity of things! –  I can choose to do with all that time. I highly recommend it.

5. Resolve to Give.

I once read:  Never pass up a chance to give. It rattled through my brain to prompt years of minor giving. Looking back, I wish it had been more.

We’re not put here on this earth for ourselves alone, though we get lots of opportunity to concentrate mostly on ourselves. We’re here to also help make Earth a better place, to help others have better lives. And that requires giving — of yourself, your time, and/or your fortune. Personally, I think giving is the missing link in my own prosperity planning.

One thing I know for sure: those who give generously of themselves and their time are universally insistent that they get out of it far more than they ever give.

As for as how, what or where to give, I rather like Oprah’s advice: “Use your life.” Use the lessons you’ve learned. Try to heal the indignities you’ve suffered or eradicate the sins you’ve endured. Or just use your special talents or interests in the service of others. Go back to No. 3 above and see how you can incorporate your special passion into your giving. I remember one ordinary everyday philanthropist Oprah showcased who was so upset that children in shelters didn’t have sleepwear that she decided to fix that. Let your passion lead the way, and give from that special place.

Perhaps you’ll decide to just give to your favorite charity. I’d love to hear what your favorite charity is (and I’ll share a couple of mine with you). Let’s compare notes about our giving at the end of the year and maybe a time or two in between as well.