The old tradition of the new year

Posted by admin on Jan 19, 2010 in Issues & Ideas | 0 comments

It’s a new year, and for many this is a time both to reflect and to make goals for the upcoming year. These goals, commonly known as New Year’s resolutions, are rarely kept, although they are made by people with good intentions.

Though it is speculated that the Babylonians may have started New Year’s resolutions over four thousand years ago, we do know for certain that resolutions were being made in Rome as far back as 153 BCE. The Roman god Janus, in charge of the Roman calendar, was believed to have two faces enabling him to look ahead towards the future and back towards the past. Therefore, New Year’s resolutions were made by the Romans to honor Janus, believing he would bring good luck when resolutions were kept.

In this period, the New Year would switch back and forth from January first to the beginning of spring in March. However, after the Roman Empire dissolved and Christianity gained power in the Middle Ages, New Year’s Day was changed to the date of Jesus’ birth on December 25th.

The tradition of resolution-making was adopted by Christians who sought self-improvement. In the sixteenth century, Pope Gregory XIII changed the date of New Year’s back to January 1st, which is the date we use in our culture to celebrate New Year’s Day.

Though the tradition of making New Year’s resolutions has survived many calendar changes, not everyone in the world follows the same calendar as we do. China, for example, follows the lunar calendar and celebrates New Year’s on a day between January 19th and February 21st, depending on the phase of the moon.

In our North American culture, resolutions can include losing weight or getting in shape, eating healthier, quitting a bad habit (such as smoking or drugs), finding a new job, sticking to a budget, eliminating debt, finding a soul mate, spending more time with family and friends, volunteering and travelling.

Though 63 per cent of people manage to keep their resolutions the first two months, many are not able to keep their resolutions for the entire year.

For those planning on sticking with their New Year’s resolutions this year, there are four things to keep in mind:
1. Be Realistic: You can’t accomplish what is impossible; know what you are capable of doing.

2. Be Accountable: People are more likely to keep their resolutions if the goals are shared with an accountability partner.
3. Have a plan: Knowing how you are going to go about accomplishing your resolution will help you follow through. Try to include several short-term goals as these small accomplishments will encourage you to keep going.

4. Don’t give up: Forming a new habit of any kind takes at least six months, so if you have a little trouble at first, relax and remember it’s never too late to recommit to a New Year’s resolution.

Good luck to all those participating in this centuries-old tradition!