• When last did you reflect on the things that are going right in your life? So often we get focused on the problems of life that we forget to give thanks for the things that are going well. One way to help us focus on these is to keep a gratitude journal. If you choose to do so, remember to review the journal regularly. A long-term view of our accumulated blessings can help us keep a positive perspective on life. (new year tip)

• When you want to discuss personal spiritual issues who can you talk to? We often keep these critical questions and ideas to ourselves when it would help a lot to talk them out with someone who can understand our needs. If you cannot identify such a person in your life now, then you could benefit from deliberately looking around to find someone who is in the process of taking a similar spiritual journey. This person would be someone whom you can feel free to talk to about the spiritual issues that are important to you.