I live and write on Lingít Aaní, and gratefully acknowledge the past, present and future caretakers of this beautiful place, the Jilkaat Kwaan and Jilkoot Kwaan.

Forget diets, exercise plans, cleaning the basement, praying more and worrying less– all of that stuff will fall into place if you begin a very simple, deliberate practice of finding the good by intentionally seeking the positive in people and situations. Finding the good will make you happier and the people around you happier. So that’s my New Year’s resolution. I have been working on it a while, as it takes some time, since determined optimism is downright counter intuitive in this world with so many problems at home and abroad. I began again this morning by catching myself before I reflexively complained about the latest snow fall. ( And a winter storm is forecast with 8-16 inches overnight!) Well, how fun is it to ski my dog Pearl instead of walk her?–  Especially after a such a nice shoveling warm-up? I mean honestly– how quiet, how beautiful, how peaceful is a world deep in snow? What is not to be grateful for? May you seek and find lots of  good in the New Year.