HOW NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS STARTED -- AND WHY...

"Write it on your heart that everyday is the best day in the year…" -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

First off, when New Years resolutions began.., New Years Eve was not December 31st… They started over 4000 years ago with the ancient Babylonians.., and they celebrated in March -- when they planted their crops (a day that actually had some meaning). They crowned a king and.., made promises to the Gods.., to return anything they borrowed and pay their debts -- very much like resolutions. If they kept their word.., the Gods would favor them…

It wasn't until 153 BC when the King of Rome Numa Pontilius added the month of January and February.., and then in 46 BC Julius Caesar fiddled with the calendar and his subsequent death, that January 1st was solidified as the beginning of the new year.

But throughout time, it would sometimes change… In 567 AD January 1st was abolished, and the new year was either celebrated in late March, December 25th.., and even on Easter. Up until 1752 the British still celebrated in March, before adopting the Gregorian calendar and January 1st as the beginning of the new year.

Most celebrations though religious in nature,
had an element of self-improvement (resolutions) --
with the hopes of being a better person in the New Year.
Still many nations around the world celebrate the New Year on their own schedules:

• Chinese New Year -- Mid to late January (this year Jan. 23rd)
• Cambodian New Year -- April 13 or April 14
• Hindu New Year -- April 14 or April 15
• Islamic New Year -- March 21

But no matter what time of year the New Year is rung in.., you can bet your bottom there are resolutions on hand. Praying to the Gods. Bowing to a King. Putting away the old (what's past) and looking towards a future filled with better times, for society .., and specifically yourself.

As the 1900's rolled around, New Years became less about religion and more about celebrating… Partying your head-off December 31st, the last day of the year.., ready to exclaim your New Years resolutions -- and it happens worldwide!

It is easily the most celebrated night of the year, with some of the biggest and most spectacular events you will ever see:

• Paris - thousands gather on the Champs Elysees
• Prague - locals and tourists alike rush to the Old Square
• Moscow - fireworks at St. Basil Cathedral
• London -- revel in the colorful fireworks as the wait for Big Ben to strike 12
• Hong Kong -- streets are mobbed with partiers in their own Times Square
• Egypt -- people flock to the ancient pyramids for a one of a kind concert
• Rio -- millions gather on the beach
• Scotland -- Hogmanay street is the place to be
• Berlin -- parties at the Bradenburg Gate
• Sydney -- has their biggest fireworks display of the year at the Opera House
• New York -- easily the most popular celebration of them all. Millions of people from all over the world will pack Times Square to count down the seconds until they -- Drop the Ball…

While all these celebrations are quite spectacular, in their own right… There is an overwhelming theme that connects them all… Ushering out the old.., and ringing in the new. Saying good-bye to the past, reflecting on our triumphs and failures.., a hoping for a brighter future. And those New Years resolutions play their part every year.

Besides all the celebrating and all those resolutions.., there are some pretty weird traditions that take place:

• Peru -- in a small village in Peru the actually duke-it out (fist fight) n the middle of town
• Ecudaor -- they burn scarecrows
• Puerta Rico -- drop pails of water out their windows
• Denmark -- smash plates against the friends and neighbors doors.., or jump in the air
• Spain -- they eat 12 grapes
• South America and Turkey -- the color of your underwear will determine the outcome of your year
• Switerland -- drop ice cream on the floor (weird)
• Belgium -- they wish happy near to the cows
• Chile -- families actually sleep in the cemetery with loved ones that have passed on.
• Ireland - -they throw bread at the walls

And of course, one of the stranger (chillier) traditions.., that takes place in a number of places is jumping into freezing cold bodies of water in frigid temperatures -- just like polar bears. And what a better way to forget about all the bullshit of the year (once you hit that freezing water you can't think about anything).., and a show of fearlessness for the coming year.

New Years Resolutions have been around for so long and gotten so popular.., there is now a whole day -- Good Riddance Day, December 28th (today) in NYC where you can write down on pieces of paper all that unwanted and unpleasant stuff you want to rid yourself of.., and -- shred it! Then you can head down the street to 47th St and write down your wishes for the New Year on a piece of paper.., and it will be used and dropped as confetti at the stroke of midnight.

With all the craziness of this time of year… it still comes back to tradition and how many of them revolve around putting the past to bed and gearing up for the New Year. Saying good-bye to the bad.., and welcoming the new, a chance to be the person you want to be, to fulfill your goals and create new dreams. And whether you make some resolutions (only 8% are fulfilled, anyway), or not… At some point, during your festivities you will catch yourself reflecting on the year that's just passed.., and thinking about the new one, that is just to start… A New Year -- a new chance…

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Image Source: 1 2 3 4 5