A New Year with traditions/resolutions

At midnight Sunday, 2023 will be ushered out and 2024 will be rung in that brings fresh hopes of having a better year than the previous one.

This is a custom for the many who have followed the Julian and Gregorian (solar) calendars for a long, long time.

The start of the new year brings people to take a look at things they want to improve on and thus they set resolutions that they plan to follow.

Some typical traditions that are followed when the clock strikes midnight including firing off fireworks, eating certain foods and wishing each other a happy and prosperous new year.

The tradition of starting a new year on January 1 dates back to over two thousand years ago, before Christ, when Julius Caesar developed a calendar that included 365 days.

The first month was named after a mythical king the Romans called Janus, who considered the god of beginnings.

The legendary Janus was displayed with two faces with one looking backward and the other looking forward.

Because of the two faces, the Romans envisioned Janus looking back to the old year and also looking forward to the new year. As a result it became the symbol of resolutions.

Over the years there have been a number of traditions that have become customary, which include habits celebrated as the new year begins at midnight.

Taking part in these traditions, especially with family and friends, has people believing it will bring good luck during the new year.

Many will have New Year’s Eve parties and when the clock strikes 12 midnight those attending will blow on party favors, hug and kiss and drink champagne.

Another tradition practiced following the turn to a new year is the singing of the song Auld Lang Syne. The Scottish song, written by Robert Burns in the 1700’s means “old long ago” or “the good old days”

Also on January 1, many will have lunch or dinner consisting of pork, cabbage and black-eyed peas.

In many areas of the country, it is believed that eating black-eyed peas along with ham and cabbage will bring good luck and prosperity.

In addition, in various parts of the United States as well as other countries around the world foods eaten on Jan. 1 may be cornbread, rice, greens, lentils, pretzels, noodles, grapes, dumplings, tamales and fish.

Besides eating and celebrating another tradition is viewing the Tournament of Roses Parade on television followed by a whole day of watching college football games.

Of course a beginning to a new year would not be complete without setting resolutions or promises to follow during the new year.

One of the most common resolutions is planning to lose some weight and exercising to get into better physical shape.

Other common resolutions may also include getting organized, develop a new hobby, get finances in order, spend more time with family and friends, travel or read more or to quit smoking.

Sticking to Resolutions:

According to studies, people have a difficult time keeping the resolutions they set with over half of those making resolutions failing after the newness of the year fades away.

Some suggestions a person can stick to their resolutions is to prepare themselves mentally for a change and set goals that motivate them.

In setting resolutions, the best thing to do is limit the number of goals and not have too many

Also when setting resolutions, be specific, break them up into two smaller goals, write them down and keep a record of progress.

Whether resolutions are set or not, may you all have a happy and prosperous new year.