The University of Scranton's Journal of Clinical Psychology reports, in a survey published a year ago, 45 percent of those surveyed in 2012 said they usually make New Year's resolutions.

Psychologists say people who make specific resolutions for themselves are more likely to attain their goals than people who don't.

According to USA.gov, the top 10 most popular New Year's resolutions are:

· Drink less alcohol

· Eat healthy food

· Get a better education

· Get a better job

· Get fit

· Lose weight

· Manage debt

· Manage stress

· Quit smoking

· Recycle more

Other popular resolutions are to get organized, fall in love and spend more time with family.

I think resolutions are a good thing and often make them myself, but looking at the list of popular goals, I see little emphasis on doing something that benefits other people.

On this list, volunteering to help others is way down at #13.

As my resolution this year, I am challenging myself to make a difference in the life of someone else.

In covering local news, I have seen examples recently of people who have done just that in very individual and creative ways, big and small.

In Catasauqua, businessman John Giovanni spent Christmas afternoon at his pizza shop, roasting turkeys and hams. He opened the doors of his restaurant during the evening and offered a free Christmas dinner to any family who could not afford to make one, or to anyone who was alone on Christmas Day.

He was humble about his initiative.

"I'm not good at being off work and wanted to be more productive," he told The Press. "The current state of the economy requires people who can help to step up."

In North Catasauqua, when Deb Nothstein died a few years ago, her husband and other family members created a fundraiser in her memory. A three-day Homemade Holidays sale is set up in the home of Nothstein's parents in the weeks before Christmas. They donate the thousands of dollars they take in selling hundreds of items, donated or consigned by area artists, bakers and needle workers, to the Mrs. Nothstein's Helping Hands Fund, which is used to help needy families in the area.

You don't have to develop a big community event like these in order to do something thoughtful for others.

Recently, the Whitehall Township Public Library had a Christmas card-making workshop. Conchetta Marucci, of Cementon, attended with her two young sons. They created cards to send to residents of Fellowship Community and Whitehall Manor.

"I want to give something to people that do not have family and are alone," she said. "Each card is made from our heart."

Five-year-old Gary Marucci is learning an important lesson while he is young.

"It is important that I came because the people will get more cards, with beautiful pictures to make them smile and be happy," he said.

What will you do to make a difference in someone else's life this year?

Linda

Wojciechowski

associate editor

Catasauqua Press