Mohamed A. El-Erian, 12/31/11

CEO and co-CIO, PIMCO

Lots of things are coming together to give 2012 the feel of a make or break year -- a year that could well determine whether the world transitions to a better and more stable place or, instead, battles an even larger number of economic, political and social fires.

Marlo Thomas, 12/31/11

Award-winning actress; Author; Activist

The two most inspiring news stories of 2011 were about a brilliant business mogul and a protest movement that decried big business. How very American.

Gary Hart, 12/31/11

President, Hart International, Ltd.

On this New Year's Day, arguably the most profound political question of our time is how to treat with the ultimate seriousness it deserves a political process that seems to wish to spiral downward with almost demented insistence.

Michael Roth, 12/31/11

President, Wesleyan University

As we begin 2012, I trust we will remain wary of those who promise us that the future will be more secure if we borrow against the credit accumulated from the past, and that we will remain suspicious of those who tell us that freedom for the rich is freedom for us all.

Gretchen Rubin, 12/31/11

Writer, The Happiness Project

How do you resolve well? This is trickier than it sounds. Here are some tips for making your resolutions as effective as possible.

Dr. Peggy Drexler, 12/31/11

Author, 'Our Fathers Ourselves. Daughters, Fathers, And The Changing American Family'

Even assuming that the Mayan calendar got it wrong, and the planet will not end in cataclysm -- 2012 still figures to be a tough year.

David Wild, 12/29/11

TV Writer; Contributing Editor, Rolling Stone; Co-Author, 'Diary of a Player"'

Instead of making any promises to myself that I might not live up to, here's my best shot at the ultimate, mostly uplifting playlist for all of our New Year's Eve parties.

Agapi Stassinopoulos, 12/31/11

Author, 'Conversations with the Goddesses' and 'Gods and Goddesses in Love'

May we embrace the opportunity of this new year, recommit to ourselves and our visions, rekindle our enthusiasm, have the wisdom to let go of what no longer serves us, and find the courage to claim our strengths.

Mitchell Bard, 12/31/11

Writer and Filmmaker

I think we're paying a price for our obsession with faux celebrity. So even though I know it's a losing battle, my 2012 New Year's resolution is meant to take a shot at fighting back.

Lynn Forester de Rothschild, 12/31/11

CEO of EL Rothschild, LLC and the co-Chair of the "Better Values, Better Markets" Task Force

As we enter an election year where the theme will be to divide us, it might be worth remembering that some of those being demonized are in many cases part of the solution not the problem.

Vicky Shorr, 12/31/11

Co-founder of Archer School

My New Year's resolutions are usually elaborate and abstract. I won't be lazy. I will confront my demons. I will take up yoga. Sleep more, or was it less? Read Proust. But this year it's quite simple. I resolve to no longer use the term "Trailer Trash." Ever again.

Maria Rodale, 12/28/11

CEO and Chairman of Rodale, Inc. and book author

Every once in a while, everyone has a bad year -- whether it's economic or tragic. Let's just say I'll be very happy to close the books on this one and start over again. Which is why I love New Year's so much: It's a fresh start, a chance to start over.

Dave Price, 12/31/11

Fmr. weatherman for CBS News

I won't be with my family at home watching the ball drop in Times Square this year. But I am still going to be surrounded by people I care for.

Evan Shapiro, 12/28/11

President, IFC

Is all TV good? Of course not! A lot of TV is crap. But denigrating ALL TV as evil is like burning all books because Snooki is now a best-selling author. That doesn't ruin my opinion of the written word or compel me to post comments like "STOP READING AND START KNITTING."

Dike Drummond, M.D., 12/31/11

Author, 'Midlife Crisis Handbook'

Lisa Earle McLeod, 12/30/11

Keynote speaker; Author, 'The Triangle of Truth'

I confess -- I'm a resolution maker. I've found the best resolutions, those where I reap immediate and lasting benefits, are when I set goals for improving my side of an important relationship.

Michael Sigman, 12/29/11

Writer/Editor and Music Publisher

New Year's resolutions tend to focus on denying ourselves stuff we love, on the assumption that if it feels good it must be bad. But why not just pick out something you love and resolve to enjoy yourself?

Danielle Nierenberg, 12/28/11

Sustainable Agriculture, Livestock Expert

Hunger, poverty, and climate change are issues that we can all help address. Here are 12 simple steps to go green in 2012.

Marcia Sirota, 12/30/11

Psychiatrist

You create a lot of unhappiness for yourself out of your impatience. Why not give yourself a break, enjoy the present moment and have more reasonable, realistic expectations of how long things should take? You'll be much happier, less anxious and more competent if you do this.

Dorian de Wind, 12/28/11

Retired U.S. Air Force Officer and writer

America does not have to choose between continuing to be the greatest nation on earth and being a compassionate, tolerant, inclusive and united society. It is the latter that has made America great.

Pearl Korn, 12/29/11

Advocate for Improved Medicare For All

People are becoming more engaged and involved across the board, and that bodes well for all of us. We must continue to forge a new direction for America in 2012, and hold our representatives in government accountable for their (in)actions.

Pamela Redmond Satran, 12/29/11

Developer of nameberry.com

Nameberry's top names list, tallied from nearly six million views of our individual name pages, is an indication of which names parents will be using for their babies in 2012 and beyond.

Xochitl Gonzalez, 12/30/11

Co-founder, AaB Creates/ Always a Bridesmaid

As you start a new year as the future Mrs. So-and-So, here are some Bridolutions for you to consider adopting in 2012 to keep wedding planning fun in those moments of stress.

Ashley Davis Bush, LCSW, 12/30/11

Psychotherapist and author of Shortcuts to Inner Peace

What if the changes were such simple shifts of attention that they required virtually no effort? And what if, on top of all that, they actually made your life better? With these easy shortcuts to wellbeing, this will be the year that your New Year's resolutions finally stick.