Viewpoint: Time for My Annual Resolutions

My research indicates that it was the ancient Babylonians who lay claim to being the first people to make New Year’s resolutions, some 4,000 years ago. Although, their New Year began in mid-March when the crops were planted.

They were also the first to hold recorded celebrations in honor of the new year. During a massive 12-day religious festival known as Akitu, the Babylonians crowned a new king or reaffirmed their loyalty to the reigning king.

They also made promises like getting out of debt and returning objects they had borrowed.

Sounds like two of my resolutions, especially the first one.

For the Babylonians to keep their word they felt like their pagan gods would bestow favor on them for the coming year. If not, they would fall out of their god’s favor, not to mention the people they owed money to and the people they borrowed things from.

Near 46 B.C. a reform-minded Roman Emperor named Julius Caesar tinkered with the calendar and established January 1 as the beginning of the new year.

Named for Janus, the two-faced god whose spirit inhabited doorways and arches, January had special significance for the Romans. Believing that Janus symbolically looked backwards into the previous year and ahead into the future, the Romans offered sacrifices to the deity and made promises of good conduct for the coming year.

Christianity took the new year and transformed it into an occasion for thinking about one’s past mistakes and resolving to do and be better in the future. In 1740, the English clergyman John Wesley, founder of Methodism, created the Covenant Renewal Service, most commonly held on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day. Also known as watch night services, they included readings from Scriptures and hymn singing, and served as a spiritual alternative to the raucous celebrations normally held to celebrate the coming of the new year. Now popular within evangelical Protestant churches, especially African American denominations and congregations, watch night services held on New Year’s Eve are often spent praying and making resolutions for the coming year.

The top resolution for 2024 will undoubtedly center on finance.

With continuing inflation, more Americans will make it a priority to save more money. That resolution has taken the lead as the most commonly cited resolution, surpassing previous goals related to exercise and health.

Fitness related resolutions have slipped to second for the year 2024. Shedding weight and focusing on physical health remain important resolutions.

I’m not sure how you become healthier mentally, because if you aren’t do you actually know it?

But that is the most popular resolution #3. People are aiming to reduce stress, practice mindfulness, and seek emotional balance. Do you hear soothing music in the background?

My #1 goal every year is weight loss. I guess, overall, I’ve made progress. Maybe if I live long enough, I’ll be slender. People are committed to adopting healthier eating habits and staying active. Active isn’t my problem.

Learning new skills seems to always make the top ten list. Many are dedicating time to acquire new skills and knowledge. At my age there is some adage about teaching an old dog new tricks that seems to keep me off of this top ten entry.

Hobbies and leisure resolutions come in at this point on the list.

Lots of people want to increase hobby and leisure time. Exploring passions and interests bring joy and fulfillment.

Another resolution I want to have on my list is more travel. I aspire to explore new destinations and have enriching travel experiences with Lori. Now, if the prosperity comes through so I can pay for it, let’s go!

The last one hasn’t been a problem for years. Spending less time on social media. I do look for pictures of the grandkids occasionally; other than that, can’t you just feel the brain cells die?

Enjoy making your resolutions and a prosperous New Year to everyone!