Happy New Year

Posted by Mary Jane Villalovos 
on Jan 05, 2015
 
As the New Year begins, what resolutions did you make? More importantly why do we make resolutions? 
 
According to LiveScience.com as well as History.com; More than 4,000 years ago, the ancient Babylonians celebrated the New Year not in January, but in March, when the spring harvest came in, the festival, was called Akitu. An important facet of Akitu was the crowning of a new king, or reaffirmation of loyalty to the old king, should he still sit on the throne. Special rituals also affirmed humanity's covenant with the gods; as far as Babylonians were concerned, their continued worship was what kept creation humming.
 
Stephanie Pappas, Senior Writer of LiveScience.com goes on to state that ancient Romans had similar traditions to ring in their new year, which also originally began in March.  City magistrates' terms were defined by this New Year's date. On March 1, the old magistrates would affirm before the Roman Senate that they had performed their duties in accordance with the laws. Then, the New Year's magistrates would be sworn into office.  After Rome became an empire in 27 B.C., New Year's Day became a time for city leaders and soldiers to swear an oath of loyalty to the Emperor.
As Romans gradually became less warlike, the switch from celebrating the New Year during a month (March) associated with Mars, the god of war to one (January), associated with Janus, a god of home and hearth, seemed appropriate, he added. The first half of New Year's Day in Rome would have been taken up by public ceremonies, oath-taking and temple sacrifices, while the second half of the day was for social activities. Citizens would bring each other gifts of honey, pears and other sweets as presents for a "sweet new year."
 
There is no direct line from ancient Roman tradition to modern New Year's resolutions, but the desire to start anew pops up repeatedly in western civilization. Americans who make resolutions now focus on self-improvement. The U.S. government even maintains a website of those looking for tips on achieving some of the most popular resolutions: losing weight, volunteering more, stopping smoking, eating better, getting out of debt and saving money.
 
Still, New Year's resolutions may be falling out of favor. A CBS News poll in 2013 found that 68 percent of Americans don't make New Year's resolutions. Two years ago, that number was 58 percent. People under the age of 30 were more likely than older folks to make resolutions — but only about half of resolution-makers keep their promises.
 
So if you are one of the many Americans who made a resolution, check out our government website to see if you can get any tips on how to keep yours!  http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/New-Years-Resolutions.shtml
 
What we did over the Holiday:
 
Jay Wilbur and family took off to Texas to Cheer on UCLA at the Alamo Bowl!
 
John Rodgerson took off to San Diego for the Holidays and John Boogaarrd was off to Las Vegas!
 
Mary Jane will enjoy a staycation.