A new year. A chance to make changes and improvements in our lives. But where do we begin? What areas of our lives can we make changes to improve our body, lifestyle, and overall being?

Here are a few things that you can do to improve your life in 2009. There are 1 for each week of the year.

1. Quiet Time – All of our lives are hectic. We are running here, there, and everywhere. What we don’t always realize is that all this crazed living is hurting us emotionally, spiritually, and physically. So many of our problems occur because we don’t stop and take time to just be still and tune out the noise around us. Yes, it is easier said than done. But there are so many ways to get a few moments of peace. You could get up just 10 minutes earlier. Or stay up a few minutes later than anyone else and rest in the silence around you. Take a walk in the woods. Listen to nature sounds. Go fishing. Crochet or knit. Find what gets you to slow down and remove the noise in your life.

2. Smaller Plates – Most people eat too much. Portions at restaurants and even at home are immense and we always feel guilty if we don’t completely clean our plates. That is not good for our bodies. One way to begin eating less and at the same time tricking ourselves into thinking that we are just as full as always is to just eat from smaller plates. Your eyes see a full plate, and the desire for more is diminished. A salad plate is a great size to start with. Just don’t pile up the food. Keep it reasonable and you’ll be completely satisfied, especially as time shows a shrinking waistline.

3. Mental Challenges – Begin to stretch your mind with brain teasers. Read one a day and see how long it takes you get it as the day goes on. Research is beginning to show that the more active your mind is, the more likely you are to resist such diseases as Alzheimer’s. Keep that mind active with puzzles and riddles. One way to do this is to look on the internet at several interesting sites: Brain Bashers, Brain Teasers, Riddles.com, and Just Riddles and More are only a few of the ones out there for you to explore. Or go to your local library and checkout a book of riddles and brain teasers. Read one each morning and make a challenge throughout the day to be thinking on it. Maybe even write it on an index card and carry it with you.

4. Volunteer – Nothing feels better than to give of yourself and see someone’s day become better. Volunteer at the local library, food pantry, hospital, or shelter. You could even become a Big Brother or Sister. There are so many places that need people to help out. Check out your local newspapers for other places to give of your time.

5. Learn a New Language – Speaking your native language can be difficult on some days, but that could be just laziness on our part. Want to really improve your mental activities? Learn a new language. Try Latin, Greek, or Hebrew. Those old languages are where many of our current words come from. They are challenging and then you would have no excuse to say that it is all Greek to you.

6. Learn to Knit – If you don’t know how to knit, this could be the year for it. There are websites, videos, and classes that can help you get started. It can be relaxing and productive. (I love shawls, by the way.)

7. Read War and Peace – How many of us have actually read this book? It is mentioned so many times in movies and other literature. Pick it up and see what it is really about. This one might take the whole year to complete.

8. Hiking – Want to get more exercise? Buy a pair of good hiking boots, binoculars, and a camera. You’ll see some amazing sites as you go along the country’s numerous hiking trails.

9. Rainwater – Collect the rainwater to water your garden. Your plants will love you for it and it helps in conserving water.

10. Outside Your Front Door – When was the last time you explored your neighborhood, county, or state? When vacation time rolls around, we always think of far off places to visit. But what about the sites right near home? Tourists drive hours to see your hometown and you probably haven’t even been there yourself. Make a point of learning your home and seeing the beauty you live in.

11. Purge – Most of have too much stuff. Make a point this year to get rid of all that unnecessary stuff that you truly don’t need. A great article by Zsuzsy Bee is called Minimalism and Me that addresses this particular topic.

12. Go Back to School – Ever miss those good old school days? Ever wish that you continued your education? Then go get it. There are so many ways to continue your education. If time is an issue, check online courses. Do you have to have a degree? If not, check out the various sources for free education.

13. Adopt a Pet – Been thinking of getting a new pet? Instead of buying one, look at adopting one. There are so many out there in need of a home. Check your local humane societies.

14. Write Hubs – What better way to improve your life this year than to write hubs and improve your writing skills? If you can’t think of a topic, then check out the request section or join the HubMob!

15. Get a PenPal – You can learn so much just by getting a penpal. You’ll learn of new cultures, languages, and people. You could find a life long friend.

16. Learn Calligraphy – Beautiful handwriting is a pretty rare thing now a days. And really fancy ones are being replaced by software. Try learning to write calligraphy and have the prettiest handwriting on the block.

17. Humility -We could all probably learn to be more humble. In fact, if we practiced more humility many areas of our lives might be improved. List out the areas that you know that you need more humility in and start working on it. (Warning! It could be like patience....watch what you ask for...)

18. Learn to Juggle – Need a little more agility? Learn to juggle and improve your hand-eye coordination.

19. Metal Detecting – Metal detecting can be a relaxing hobby to get into. Plus, you begin to get a little more exercise than watching all those reality shows give you. Another bonus is some of the treasures you find as you walk along.

20. Foster Parenting – This is one improvement that should not be entered in lightly. But it can be beneficial. There are so many kids out there in need of good homes to stay in. Open up your home and hearts to them and watch your life change.

21. Eat Healthier – Most of us do not eat healthy. We should eat at least one vegetable (preferably two or three) and one fruit with each meal. Talk to your doctor about a well-balanced meal for you and your family. And the next time you reach for the chips, pick up an apple instead.

22. Gardening – A great way to get exercise, vitamin D from the sunlight, and be artistic is to do some gardening. This does not mean that you have to plant just vegetables. Plant flowers, trees, or a mixture of them. Let your creative streak loose in your own yard.

23. Servanthood – No, I'm not asking you become my maid or butler (though if you work for free.....) This improvement is more toward learning to serve others with a loving heart. Show an act of kindness toward someone you know or a stranger. Offer to take the empty shopping cart back to the corral. Hold a door for someone. Pay the toll for the person behind you. Shovel someone sidewalk without being asked to. There are hundreds of ways to show kindness to others and develop a servant's heart.

24. Bird Watching – Bird watching can be fun and relaxing. You'll see feathered creatures that you never knew made your back yard their homes. You'll also learn to tell the bird by the very sounds they make. Pick up your binoculars, good walking shoes, and a book of the birds of your area and enjoy yourself.

25. Stop Smoking – This improvement you'll be thankful for the rest of your days. When you stop smoking, you lengthen your life and probably that of those around you. Give a gift this year to yourself and your loved ones. There a multitude of ways to succeed at this. Talk to your doctor or others you know that have successfully quit.

26. Learn to French Braid Hair – This is a beautiful art that is not as used as it used to be. Hair in a French braid is neat and attractive. Learn how to braid your daughter's hair and your own.

27. Get Organized – Probably one of the most challenging improvements of the year is to get your life more organized. Start with purging unnecessary clutter in your life (that includes time). Then begin to make sure that everything has a place. Keep a daily calendar. Create a to-do list. It can be done.

28. Press Wildflowers – This is another relaxing hobby to take up as you collect and categorize the wildflowers around you. You'll be amazed at what you find. And by pressing them, you'll have them for years to come.

29. Adopt a Mile – Want to help the environment in your own town? Adopt a mile or two of highway and keep it clean. What better way to go green and give back to the community? Check with your local department of transportation on how to sign up.

30. Cloth Bags – Try using cloth bags at the grocery store instead of the plastic bags that most of us use. Cloth bags are environmentally friendly and reusable.

31. Learn Sign Language – Sign language is beautiful and very useful. You would be surprised how much you could use it (in the store for a deaf person, when you have a sore throat and cannot talk, to communicate to someone in need).

32. Laugh More – Laughter can be great medicine. Ask Patch Adams. More and more research is finding that laughter can cure where medicine meets brickwalls. Try laughing more. Watch more of I Love Lucy, comedy acts, or just listen to your kids (they'll have you in stitches).

33. Clean House – Doesn't sound like an improvement we are all going to jump on, but don't skip over it. Cleaning house has several benefits. It is great exercise. It gives you a mental and emotional high to see it all neat and clean. It keeps your house warmer in the winter (the warm air can circulate better in an uncluttered house).

34. Learn to Reuse “Trash” – We all want to be more environmentally aware. One way is to think before we trash. How can you reuse what you normally toss in the garbage bin?

35. Play in the Snow – You'll get exercise as you try to walk through the heavy snow, but you'll also have so much fun. Be a kid again and make a snowman, a snow angel, or throw snowballs at your neighbor (no rocks, please).

36. Forgive – Believe it or not, forgiving someone can make dramatic improvements in your emotional, spiritual, mental, and physical health. It can be hard, but very beneficial.

37. Bridge – Learn to play bridge. If you already know how, then teach someone. It can be mentally challenging and socially fun.

38. Vocabulary – Expand your vocabulary. We use a small percentage of the English language. And some of that incorrectly.

39. Read the Bible and the Koran – These could be the two most misunderstood and misquoted books on thet planet. Read them yourself and know what they really say.

40. Soufflé – Learn to create a beautiful souffle. You'll have acheived what few have.

41. Learn to Spin Yarn – This is supposed to be relaxing and productive. You can create unusual textures and colors that you can sell or use to make scarves or other handmade pieces.

42. Computer Class – Technology is changing each and every day. Take a course (at a local school or online) and learn the latest in software, hardware, and terminology.

43. Part-time Job – Yes, part-time job. Love books? Work a few hours at a bookstore. Love animals? Work a few hours at the shelter or a pet store. You can work among what you love.

44. Cut Off Cable – Don't have a heart attack. You can cut off your cable and survive. You'll have more family time and relaxation time to improve the other areas of your life.

45. Walk – Take a walk in the woods, down the road, through a garden. Walking is great exercise. You'll get out and breath in clean air as you see more than your TV set or computer screen.

46. Appetizers - When you go out to eat, choose an appetizer as your meal instead of an entree. It's cheaper and usually comes with just as much food.

47. Hot Drinks – Want to cut back on how much you eat? Have a hot drink with your meal. You tend to eat and drink slower and in smaller bites.

48. Call an Old Friend – With all out busy lives, everything gets away from us including keeping up with old friends. Call one today and talk about the old times. You'll laugh and cry which are both very cleansing.

49. Turn off the Lights – Do you have to have all those lights on? Turn them off. Open the curtains. Let God's light help you. At night use candles. Save money, electricity, and create a relaxing mood.

50. Meet Your Neighbor – In today's world, we just are on the go. As a result, very few of know who our neighbor's are. Stop and meet them. Get to know them. You might be surprised at who you discover right next door.

51. Compliment – Learn to give more compliments to the people around you. They'll feel better and you'll feel better as their attitude changes just from a few simple words from you.

52. List 2010 Improvements - List out all the improvements for the next year as you go through this year and find new discoveries.