Here we are days into the new year and I'm still deliberating about the whole resolution thing. Apparently my resolution from last year to quit procrastinating faded quicker than our springlike weather last week.

In the past, I've refrained from putting a number to my goals, as that makes them real and visible — a sign of my success or failure.

This year, however, I am stepping out and putting a number to the goal. The number is 1.

The number 1 represents so many different things that its application extends beyond an index finger (hopefully raised by Hines Ward in February). Let me give you a few examples of what my resolutions are, and I think you'll be able to create your own list if you're behind as well.

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I resolve to spend one minute per day on my own selfish hopes and dreams: not a minute more, not a minute less.This will allow me a small daily indulgence of what I want, and then a continuous reminder of what I already have. And while the two are not always the same, what I currently have almost always looks a lot better than what I want after a little bit of self reflection. (Say one minute or so?)•

I resolve to spend one minute more per day hugging and kissing my family.For the record since I know they're reading at home, this also can include one more minute of reading in bed, dancing in the kitchen or high-fiving after a strike on Nintendo Wii. This resolution does not include the cats. I still don't like them.• This next resolution hurts to say, but here I go.

I resolve to spend one less minute per day griping about the weather we have here in Western Pennsylvania and one minute more admiring the spiritual beauty that every day holds.This includes rain, sleet, snow and all the other things our friends at the Postal Service circumvent each day.•

I will attempt to make one smile (genuine) to everyone I meet during the day.At the very least, this will make them realize they are special even if I feel like I've been punched in the gut. I might as well pass something good along, right?•

I will try to spend one more hour per week away from work and the computer, and replace that hour with an hour outside walking, running, fishing, biking or reading.There's a lot of fresh air out there and it's time for me to consume some.•

This resolution goes along with my newly purchased Forever stamps, as I vow to write one letter per week to someone.Not an e-mail, but a good old-fashioned letter to a relative, friend or politician or a letter to the editor (I know the Eagle loves those) or to a magazine.• The final resolution is a biggie, but one of significance.

I want to try and make one person's life better during 2009 than it was during 2008.I don't know how, but I'm sure there will be hundreds of opportunities. I don't want to miss one of them.When I do the math it's pretty easy. One minute per day, 365 days per year adds up to 365 minutes. That's only six hours per year spent trying to improve something other than myself.Imagine if I changed the 365 minutes to 365 hours. That's 15 days out of the year improving the lives around you.That's a small price to pay for a resolution that will go well beyond the constraints of 2009's calendar.I'm looking forward to traveling this road with you again this year. Please keep me posted on your successes, and you know I'll keep you updated on my own.Happy New Year!Christian Ola, a community columnist for the Butler Eagle, resides in Mars with his wife, son and daughter and can be reached at christianolac@aol.com and through his Web site, www.christianola.com.