“It’s been a great year, Chuck. You’ll have to admit that. What do you think, Chuck, would be good rules for living in the new year?”

Charlie Brown thought for a moment, then said to Peppermint Patty, “Keep the ball low, don’t leave your crayons in the sun, use dental floss every day, don’t spill the shoe polish, always knock before entering, don’t let the ants get in the sugar, never volunteer to be a program chairman, always get your first serve in, and feed your dog whenever he’s hungry.”

“Will those rules give me a better life, Chuck?” Peppermint Patty asked.

“The better life, and a fat dog.”

What are your rules for living in the new year? Here are some of mine:

Beware of parking in the coveted end spot. Fires in the fireplace are acceptable anytime the temperature is below 70 degrees. Book your reservations in advance. Avoid the middle seat when flying. Work on being early. Sleep in whenever possible. Recycle. Donate. Shelve rational thought once in a while. Stop thinking about taking that class and sign up for it already. Take the trip. Ask why. Never underestimate the power of duct tape. Never underestimate the power of a cupcake. Jump, leap, and do. Breathe deeply.

Smile more.

Laugh more.

Love more.

Tonight I am thankful for a new year, and for the rules we can write as we go. Or not. Maybe one of your rules is to have fewer of them, which can also be a great one to live by. Either way, the next 12 months are ours for the taking, for the exploring and for the writing. What sort of adventures will you pen?