Verified by 
It's New Year's Eve...have you made your 2011 resolutions yet? Each year, countless girls and women seize January 1 as the day to begin anew the process of molding their bodies into a vision they've always wanted to see.
While I'm an advocate of making healthy lifestyle changes, it troubles me to see so many ladies hating the bodies they have -- and applying all their focus and energy to an attempt to make changes that might not be realistic or healthy for them. Imagine what we could collectively accomplish with all the energy we spend hating and trying to re-shape our bodies.
This year, I'm proposing a different focus for the New Year: Body gratitude.
See if any of these resonate with you:
• I lost a friend -- a mother of three young kids -- to cancer this year. I'm grateful that my body is healthy, and that I can effortlessly lift my arms to embrace those I love. Check out the American Cancer Society to see how you might help a woman affected by cancer.
• At least three women in my state died this year at the hands of men who -- at one time, at least -- loved them. I'm grateful that my body is not the target of my spouse's rage. Check out the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence to see how you can help.
• Each day, women in countries such as Afghanistan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are threatened, tortured, raped and killed because they are women. Their skills, thoughts and contributions are de-valued because of the body in which they were born. I'm grateful that I live in a country where -- even though things are often far from equal and discrimination exists -- my basic rights are recognized and protected. Check out Women For Women to see how you can help.
• Tonight, while I'm worrying about saying no to an extra New Year's Eve treat, a mother somewhere is worrying about the bare shelves in her kitchen and what she'll feed her child tomorrow. I'm grateful that I'm fortunate enough to have nutritious food for myself and my family. Visit Feeding America to see how you can help feed others in your community.
It's easy, sometimes, to forget how lucky we truly are. Best wishes to all for a healthy, happy 2011.
