It’s the second week in January. How many of you have already broken your New Year's resolutions?

That's the problem with resolutions. Losing weight and exercising more. Eating better. Trying not to smoke. These are all noble goals that are almost impossible to keep—to keep perfectly, that is.

Slip and fall off the wagon, and most of us get discouraged and give up.

But I look at goals and resolutions differently. I don't try to be perfect. Instead, I expect to take two steps forward and one step back. It’s a cumulative thing. I am trying to improve, not be perfect.

Keeping this in mind, here is a list of New Year's resolutions or goals all of us multiple myeloma survivors may want to make:

• Get more sleep. This is a tough one for me. So much to do and so little time!
• Avoid stress. Ditto above.
• Exercise each and every day—even if only for 15 minutes or so.
• Eat more vegetables.
• Eat more raw vegetables—lots more. Peppers, carrots, celery, radishes, cucumbers, spinach, kale, mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, cauliflower, and broccoli. Did I forget any?
• Eat more fruit.
• Use spices like oregano, turmeric, garlic, and dried pepper.
• Meditate.
• Vow to live in the here and now and not worry about what comes next.
• Learn more about myeloma therapy so you are prepared if you need it someday.
• Spend more quality time with your family.
• If you don't have family nearby, spend more time with your new family and visit a fellow multiple myeloma patient.
• Thank your caregiver. Then thank them again!

I could go on—but you get the idea! Pick one or more of these and incorporate them into your life.

I'm not sure if you noticed, but I try to keep my resolutions positive and skip the “don't do that as much” type of things. Instead, I try and add positive habits to my life and then cut-back on the negatives over time.

And if you forget to follow-through or slip for a day or two—no worries! Just try again tomorrow.

So, time to get the beer chilled and brats ready to go for Saturday's Green Bay Packers National Football League playoff game! Don’t worry. I will eat lots of extra raw veggies too!

Feel good and keep smiling! Pat