REVIEWING NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS

Many of us, be it overtly, surreptitiously, or perhaps even unwittingly, partake in the annual tradition of developing at least some resolutions for the new year. Some are already struggling to follow through on the promise they made to themselves to start doing something good or stop doing something bad on the first day of the year. Others have begun the process of adjusting their stated objectives to align results with the promise of success. The tradition of setting new goals at the beginning of the year is believed to have originated with the ancient Babylonians some four thousand years ago. Members of this prominent, historically important civilization made promises to their gods during new year's celebrations, which involved a massive, twelve day, religious festival, known as Akitu. They vowed to change their behavior in order to earn favor of the gods and start the new year on the right foot. Pledges reportedly included paying off debts and returning borrowed farm equipment. A similar practice developed in ancient Rome after Julius Caesar established January 1 as the beginning of the new year. January was named after Janus, the god of beginnings, endings and transitions. He was also known as a two-faced god, who was believed to symbolically look backwards into the previous year and ahead into the future. Over the centuries multiple superstitions developed indicating which activities promised good luck or Divine favors in the new year. In Spain people eat a dozen grapes, one for each strike of the clock at midnight. In Denmark revelers smash plates on their neighbors' doorsteps on New Year's Day - the more pieces that break apart, the better the fortune. Citizens of Greece smash a pomegranate on New Year's Day to bring life and luck. Others feature fireworks. We drop a ball in New York's Times Square. And according to Chinese lore - you should not clean your house or wash your hair on New Year's Day, so as not to wash away any good luck. Most of us who subscribe to some of the traditions that have been passed along over time still surrender to the tradition of setting resolutions in one form or another when ringing in the new year. Entire books have been written to help shape our efforts to do just that. Publications like "A Year To Live," by Stephen Levine, or "The Pivot Year," from Brianna Wiest, can help formulating these endeavors. Other works like "It Always Seems Impossible Until It's Done," by Kathryn and Ross Petras, might actually help stimulate our attempts at following through. Their book lists inspirational messages uttered by well-known orators. Random samples include: "Ninety-nine percent of all failures come from people who have a habit of making excuses." - George Washington Carver; "You miss a hundred percent of the shots you don't take." - Wayne Gretzky; "The most effective way to do it, is to do it." -Amelia Earhart; "The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up." - Muhammad Ali; "To avoid criticism, do nothing, be nothing." - Elbert Hubbard. The sad thing is that an estimated 88% will fail. Many of us already have. However, the calendar provides a silver lining, or a chance to reset. January 29 begins the Lunar New Year, often confused with Chinese New Year, which is celebrated by numerous cultures. The Lunar New Year occurs on the new moon of the first lunar month - a month measured between successive new moons. It features 12 Chinese Zodiac Signs. Each sign is named after an animal and each animal has its own unique characteristics. This upcoming year features the "wood snake," a rare and meaningful combination which only appears once every 60 years. According to legend, this coming year promises to bring wisdom, adaptability and a sense of transformation. We can only hope. Be it as it may, those of us who are in danger of losing the battle to fulfill our New Year's resolutions might grasp this opportunity and accept a life line. You can still fulfill the promises you made to yourself. As Babe Ruth told us years ago: "It's hard to beat a person who never gives up." Theo Wierdsma