Laugh more, resolve less

“What’s a New Year's resolution? It goes in one year and out the other.”

Supposedly, ancient Babylonians were the first to make New Year’s resolutions 4,000 years ago. Celebrated as part of a 12-day festival, they were serious matters: promises to be loyal to their king of the moment, repay debts, and return whatever was borrowed. With a clean slate, they believed, the gods would send manna from the heavens.

“I resolved to quit all my bad habits, but nobody likes a quitter.”

Ancient Romans did something similar. Originally their new year, like most of the world then and still some countries today, began in spring. Around 153 B.C.E. the Roman senate adopted a new calendar and named the first month for Janus, a two-faced god whose spirit inhabited doorways and looked both directions. In addition to sacrifices made in his name, new year celebrants promised good conduct for the coming year.

“My new year’s resolution is to stop procrastinating. I’ll start tomorrow.”

Early Christians joined this somber resolution bandwagon, using the new year to evaluate mistakes, resolve to do better in the future. Eighteenth century English evangelist John Wesley, founder of Methodism, created a Covenant Renewal Service traditionally held on New Year’s Day (or eve), a time to theologically recommit.

Of course, all of that can be done any day or every day of the year.

“I always seem to break my new year's resolutions. So, this year, I resolve not to make any. Oops.”

Why pick one day over any other? It’s human nature to want to start over. Life is replete with problems, puzzles, and pitfalls. We learn as we go, and time-driven resolutions are as good an impetus as any to regroup and restart, be they serious matters or more light-hearted. But no high-energy continues unabated. The trick seems to be not to overpromise, then beat ourselves up when we underdeliver.

Isn’t it the thought that counts?

“My new year’s resolution is to break my new year’s resolution. It’s a win-win.”

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Sholeh Patrick is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network who gave up on date-based resolutions years ago. Call each day a new opportunity. Email sholeh@cdapress.com.