Each January 31, people all over the world participate in a series of rituals designed to ring in the New Year with luck and good fortune. When the clock strikes midnight in Spain, twelve grapes are eaten, one with every toll, to bring good luck to the twelve months ahead. Haitians believe that wearing new clothing and exchanging gifts bodes well for the New Year. In Norway, households make a rice pudding containing a single almond. It is believed that guaranteed wealth goes to the person whose serving holds the almond.
In the United States, revelers ring in the New Year with the traditional good luck kiss, a ritual derived from masked balls. A mask symbolizes evil spirits from the old and the kiss is thought to purify the New Year. Millions of people also usher in the New Year by participating in New York City’s annual celebration in Times Square. Whether in person or via the television, watching the famous ball drop has been a tradition since 1907, when the first ball was created in response to a ban on fireworks. That ball was a 700-pound iron and wood ball adorned with 25-watt light bulbs. The current ball weighs a total of 11,875 pounds, is 12 feet in diameter, and sparkles with 2,688 Waterford crystals.
Regardless of the rituals that are participated in, the coming of a New Year implies a new beginning, a fresh slate of sorts. As a result, many people take the opportunity to set personal resolutions, a tradition that dates back to 153 BC when the Roman Senate declared January 1 to be the beginning of the New Year. The same year, the mythical king, Janus, was placed at the head of the calendar. Janus possessed two faces, one that could look back on past events, and one that facced forward into the future. Janus became the ancient symbol for resolutions, and the month of January was named in his honor.
In contemporary society, up to fifty percent of Americans commit to New Year’s resolutions. The most popular categories include losing weight, getting fit, quitting smoking, become financially responsible, and reducing stress. Many people look at the New Year as a new start, a time to fulfill potential and rectify unhealthy or unmanageable situations. Unfortunately, while it is very popular to set resolutions, it is just as popular to break them. According to a poll conducted by Health.com, by mid-year less than half of all resolutions will still be intact.
Experts believe that many people fail to follow through on their resolutions because of a combination of factors, namely the type of resolution they make and a lack of planning. Dr. John Norcross, Professor of Psychology at the University of Scranton, recommends employing the SMART approach when setting any type of goal or resolution. The SMART approach advocates setting goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time sensitive. People that set vague goals without following them up with an attainable plan are far more likely to struggle than those that utilize some type of system. In other words, a person who sets a New Year’s Resolution of losing fifty pounds in 2013 is far more likely to fail than one who resolves to lose five pounds per month.
In today’s technologically based society, it appears that “there is an app for that” applies to almost anything, even New Year’s Resolutions. Google offers an Interactive Resolution Map that encourages people to post, track, and compare their resolutions to others on a worldwide map. In addition, there are smart phone apps that can help one focus on his/her resolutions and corresponding progress. Users can download apps that do everything from track calories and organize finances to those that offer daily affirmations and personal encouragement. Regardless of the tracking method used, however, many people will still find themselves struggling. There is nothing wrong with reevaluating New Year’s Resolutions and make necessary alterations.
One doesn’t have to wait for January 1 to make life-altering changes. “I don’t make New Year’s Resolutions,” claims Moorhead resident Kelley Beto, “because if you’re going to change something, there are 364 more days a year to do it. Why wait until January 1?” Beto also believes that New Year’s Day is a hard time to change something because it is still the holidays and people are not in their routines. Other people, however, look at the New Year as a time of renewed motivation and commitment. Nicole Chamberlain of Fargo vows to “fear less, trust more, and be kinder to my husband.” Along the same lines, Stef Ellison resolves to “be kinder to my coworkers and pause before reacting” in 2013. Self-improvement and enhancement is a common theme for resolutions. Even those that don’t set actual resolutions often subconsciously intend to become the best person they can be in the upcoming year.
Remember, a new resolution can be started at any time. it is never too late to make a change and become the best possible version of yourself. Happy New Year!