The New Year's Resolution seems to have begun with the ancient Romans. They placed Janus, a mythical king of early Rome, at the head of the calendar. Janus was depicted with two faces which looked back on the past and forward to the future. He became the ancient symbol for resolutions, as Romans looked for forgiveness from those they had wronged, exchanging gifts before the beginning of each year.
In 46 B.C. Julius Caesar instituted the Julian calendar to more accurately reflect the seasons than previous calendars had. Then, in the sixteenth century, Pope Gregory XIII developed the Gregorian calendar as a revision of the Julian. This began the assignment of the beginning of the year to January 1.
The Julian and Gregorian calendars are solar calendars. Many cultures, including the Chinese, Hebrew, Hindu, and Islamic, use lunar or lunisolar calendars, based on the phases of the moon. Although New Year's Day may be celebrated on different dates, it is always a time for celebration and for customs to ensure good luck in the coming year. The celebration of the New Year is the most ancient of holidays, first observed in ancient Babylon some 4000 years ago.
So New Year's Eve is a time for looking back to the past, but more importantly, forward to the coming year. It is traditionally a time to take stock of our lives, to reflect on changes we want to make and resolve to follow through on those changes.
Here are excerpts from a list (and a pretty inclusive one) published by Albrecht Powell on About.com. You may find one to incorporate into YOUR New Year's Resolutions.
1. Spend More Time with Family & Friends
Recent polls conducted by General Nutrition Centers, Quicken, and others shows that more than 50% of Americans vow to appreciate loved ones and spend more time with family and friends this year. Make plans to meet up with friends for an evening of camaraderie at a favorite restaurant or take the family on an outing. Work shouldn't always come first!
2. Fit in Fitness
Regular exercise has been associated with more health benefits than anything else known to man. Studies show that it reduces the risk of some cancers, increases longevity, helps achieve and maintain weight loss, enhances mood, lowers blood pressure, and even improves arthritis. In short, exercise keeps you healthy and makes you look and feel better. Why not make this the time to start getting in shape.
3. Tame the Bulge
Over 66 percent of adult Americans are considered overweight or obese, so it is not surprising to find that weight loss is one of the most popular New Year's resolutions. Setting reasonable goals and staying focused are the two most important factors in sticking with a weight loss program, and the key to success for those millions of Americans who made a New Year's commitment to shed extra pounds.
4. Quit Smoking
If you have resolved to make this the year that you stamp out your smoking habit, over-the-counter availability of nicotine replacement therapy now provides easier access to proven quit-smoking aids. Even if you've tried to quit before and failed, don't let it get you down. On average, smokers try about four times before they quit for good. Start enjoying the rest of your smoke-free life!
5. Enjoy Life More
Given the hectic, stressful lifestyles of millions of Americans, it is no wonder that "enjoying life more" has become a popular resolution in recent years. It's an important step to a happier and healthier you! Just get out and try something new! Take up a new hobby or try your hand at a new aoutdoor activity. Go to a theater performance, or head to the local spa. Central Florida offers a wealth of artistic and recreational activities to meet just about anyone's wishes.
6. Quit Drinking
While many people use the New Year as an incentive to finally stop drinking, most are not equipped to make such a drastic lifestyle change all at once. Many heavy drinkers can greatly improve their lives if they learn to moderate their drinking. If you have decided that you want to stop drinking, there is a world of help and support available.
7. Get Out of Debt
Was money a big source of stress in your life last year? Join the millions of Americans who have resolved to spend this year getting a handle on their finances. It's a promise that will repay itself many times over in the year ahead.
8. Learn Something New
This can be the year to learn something new. Perhaps you are considering a career change, want to learn a new language, or just how to fix your computer. Whether you take a course or read a book, or use a DVD or online resource, you'll find education to be one of the easiest, most motivating New Year's resolutions to keep. Community colleges and four-year universities offer a wide variety of "lifelong learning" courses and adult education programs. Local YMCAs offer great recreational training for beginners of all ages.
9. Help Others
A popular, non-selfish New Year's resolution, volunteerism can take many forms. Whether you choose to spend time helping out at your local library, mentoring a child, or building a house for a deserving family, there are many nonprofit volunteer organizations that could really use your help. Or if your time is in short supply, maybe you can assist someone by donating the furniture, clothing and other household items that you no longer need, rather than leaving them out by the curb to fill up our landfills.
10. Get Organized
On just about every New Year resolution top ten list, organization can be a very reasonable goal. Whether you want your home organized enough that you can invite someone over on a whim, or your office organized enough that you can find the stapler when you need it, there are many benefits to a more organized life.
Make a resolution or two or three for 2011 and stick to it! Next month we'll offer advice on how to keep your New Year's promises to yourself.
Have a Happy New Year!
