My life seems to change as much as Heidi Klum backstage at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. And the new year’s going to be no different.In 2008, I’m hoping to reinvent myself. Be a better person. Not be as selfish or sluggish.The New Year’s Eve party’s probably going to delay that last part a couple of days.I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it really feels like this particular new year is my chance at positive change. A serious re-do. I plan to take the lessons learned from mistakes I’ve made in the past 35 years and put them to good use, instead of regret them.Except maybe my hair in the ’80s.

I think I did some serious damage to the ozone layer.One such life lesson is my attempt at matrimony. I used to be a little bitter about my divorce, making snide comments about marriage when the topic arose. Since we called it quits, I’ve had this attitude that happiness in marriage was as likely as Britney Spears getting some class.But spending the last three weeks staying with my parents for the holidays, who are in their third decade of marriage, gives me hope. There’s no unhappiness there. It’s all about the give and take, and my parents have it down pat. Sure, I knew about the give-and-take thing when I was married. But love can be taken for granted, and couples can start taking more than they’re giving. And a once-happy couple becomes a couple of unhappy people.Unfortunately that lesson was learned the hard way.Being home for the holidays has also given me the chance to appreciate my roots. Only in Indiana do a couple of guys leaving a Colts game jam their radio to John Mellencamp’s “Cherry Bomb.” Or choose the sound of a rooster crowing as a ringtone.That makes for fun when the wife’s calling.I’ve also noticed there’s some kind of new dress code in effect that requires a Colts jersey for anyone living in the state. Luckily I have one, or I would’ve felt really left out at the Colts game last Sunday.

I’m sure I could have borrowed one. Even though I live out of state, embracing my hometown helps me feel grounded. But not like when I was in high school and my friends and I thought spray painting was a fun after-school activity.The town sheriff, not so much.This is more of a stable direction in my life that will hopefully help me make better decisions about work, relationships and money.My bank account definitely needs some reinventing.For the last few years, I’ve been going through the motions of life not really knowing my purpose. I’ve been asking myself questions like, “Where do I want to live? What do I want to do? Why is Kevin Federline famous?”The fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants lifestyle can be fun, but it can also get a little old. So this year I’m going to think about the future and stop living in the past. No more regrets, even about how big my hair was in 1989. I’ll apply for that passport I keep resolving to do, year after year. Maybe even travel to Thailand and Brunei to visit friends living over there.

I’m also going to help with more philanthropic causes and call my big brother more often. We joke that he has nine lives -the guy’s been hit by a car, nearly fell out of moving car, had a deadly drug reaction after his appendix burst, etc. He may have tried to stuff me in the dryer when I was a kid, but I still love him and am glad he’s here.He was nice enough to include a dryer sheet.In 2008, I’m going to try skydiving – a wet suit may be required – and hike more. Living in Colorado and not taking advantage of the scenery is like living in Indiana and hating corn on the cob. First and foremost on my list of hikes is Hanging Lake, followed by the summit of Sopris. Then maybe even my first Colorado fourteener.Yes, this year is going to be big for me.Just like my hair in the ’80s.April E. Clark doesn’t remember being so excited about a new year. She can be reached at aprilelizabethclark@yahoo.com.