Contributed by Marilyn Bennett
Have you already reneged on your New Year’s resolution?
As the years go by, I’ve noticed that for many years I’ve made big plans. I was very ambitious on January 1st, and then felt very bad by February 1st. It has made me consider changing the way I make my New Year’s resolutions.
So in an effort not to make myself feel like a failure on February 1st, I have decided to make some adjustments to my New Year’s resolutions:
1. I will resolutely decide to exercise, but leave the amount of exercise in the to-be-decided-later category.
2. Eat some (but not too many) healthy meals.
3. Not argue politics, except with my son-in-law (as he is in dire need of being corrected).
This should make me feel better about myself in February. In fact, I’m already feeling better.
Getting back to the subject of New Year’s resolutions:
In doing extensive research, I found that it all began about 4,000 years ago with the Babylonians. They celebrated the new year on the first new moon after the spring equinox. Right? (Who knows when that is?) The celebration was called Akitu, and the festival lasted 11 days. Sounds like fun! During that time, they made New Year’s resolutions to keep themselves in good standing with the gods.
Then in 1740, the English clergyman, John Wesley, (a spoilsport if there ever was one), founded Methodism, and so created the covenant renewal service to be held on New Year’s Eve. The congregation would pray and make resolutions for the coming year. It could be that he came up with this service to compete with the wild partygoers of the pagan New Year’s celebration. Well, we know who won that battle.
Many New Year’s resolutions are made in the morning while in recovery. Those resolutions are not worth much salt.
My favorite New Year’s resolution quote is:
“Now there are more overweight people in America than average-weight people. So overweight people are now average… which means, you have met your New Year's resolution.” ~ Jay Leno ~
Enough rambling. Perhaps you thought that this year you could do something really big. I would be the last person to discourage anyone from pushing themselves to accomplish great things. This short discussion is only for those of us who recognize our limitations and have decided to live within them.
For those of you who still wish to conquer the world, I only have one suggestion for you:
Go at least one day a week without your cellphone, and spend the time communing with your inner self. That will either help you conquer your world, or you will accept yourself with all your warts and be content. In any case, get out and enjoy the snow in our beautiful state.
To all the rest of you:
I hope you had a wonderful New Year’s celebration and are not discouraged if you do not stand by your New Year’s resolutions. Because according to the experts, while as many as 45 percent of Americans say they usually make New Year’s resolutions, only 8 percent follow through.
It’s always a comfort to be in the majority.
Happy New Year! Cheer up - tough times can be the most interesting times.
