A Little Resolution Reboot

Between December 30th and January 1st, it is a common practice to sit down with a pen and paper (or with today's technology, a tablet or computer is often preferred) to write out a list of goals to achieve before December 31st of the approaching year. These goals are commonly known as New Year's Resolutions. Google defines resolution as "a firm decision to do or not to do something." A firm decision. Something firm is determined and guaranteed and should be seen to the end. Many of these goals are personal and not bragged on or talked about unless they are achieved. Some people choose to have just one resolution for the whole year, while others choose to have multiple. I fall into the latter category. I have previously mentioned one of my resolutions was to start and maintain this blog (so far, so good). Multiple resolutions can sometimes be tricky to maintain and achieve. 

New Year's Resolutions can be seen dating back to the ancient Babylonians. Their "new year", like some cultures, started, not in January, but in mid-March. This is when crops were planted and promises were made to their pagan gods to pay off debts and return borrowed possessions. Providing for these gods were their firm decisions, which is different from the resolutions we think of today. It was believed as long as they kept their promises, they were in their gods' favor and would prosper. Like the Babylonians, the Ancient Romans also had their form of resolutions. Instead of making promises to pagan gods, the Romans would make sacrifices to the deity, Janus. Janus was the ancient Roman god of beginnings, transitions, and endings. Along with their sacrifices, the Romans would promise good conduct. Even early Christians used the new year to reflect on the past and look to a better future. There are many recordings of people making resolutions (or pledges) in the 17th and 18th centuries. 

Like many other people, one of my resolutions is to lose a few pounds that I gained in 2020. To do this, my boyfriend and I purchased a gym membership to our local gym. We decided to get this membership late last year. We went a couple times and then the holidays rolled around so we took a break until "serious time" when the calendar read 2021. Together, we made an agreement to go three to four times a week (again, so far, so good). The first week went something like this. Monday, it was clear we were not the only people who had made a fitness resolution. Tuesday, people were still going strong! We took a rest day for Wednesday. Thursday, there were fewer people than had shown up the previous times we had gone. Friday was another rest day (we are collectively blaming my parents for this being a rest day, but you gotta visit family on occasion.) Saturday rolled around. We went to the gym around 5:30 PM; I immediately noticed a drop in attendance. There were people there, just not as many as the rest of the week. I looked at my boyfriend and said, "It's day nine, I hope people aren't giving up already."

Then it hit me, some people are giving up on their resolutions already! I am really hoping this is not the case. If you are someone who is giving up or slacking on your resolution, hear this now, YOU CAN DO IT!! If you are trying to change your lifestyle or a particular goal is taking time to get used to, don't give up on it. It takes AT LEAST two weeks to develop a habit. This doesn't mean two weeks of occasionally doing the thing; it means training your brain to get used to doing it. It takes four weeks for you to physically see change and eight for others to see it. Just because you can't see something happening or it doesn't feel like change doesn't mean there isn't change. Everything takes time. 

Now, maybe there is a reason (I mean a real reason, not an excuse. There is a difference between reason and excuse.) you are struggling to continue this goal, and that is okay (as long as it's a reason and not an excuse). Take a minute to breathe. Take another to pray for the strength (or motivation) to achieve your goal. Take another to believe in yourself. You have to believe that you're going to do it. So often negativity gets in between us and the end goal. I, personally, have been a victim of this cycle far too many times. Keep hope, keep going, you CAN do it! If you have taken a breath, prayed for strength and guidance, and you believe in yourself but you're still struggling, repeat the process but do it harder. These three things help me a lot. However, if you are having a hard time doing one (or more) of them, I can provide some other forms of help in a different blog post. 

If you're sticking to your goals and you're getting stuff done, good for you! I am proud of you and I encourage you to keep going! Make new goals! Help someone who is struggling. We all could use some help every once in a while even though we won't ask for it. 

Maybe your resolution was not to do something. Keep not doing it! I know it’s hard if you’re sued to a habit, but you can do it! You can quit that thing! Last year my resolution was to quit drinking soda, which is so hard because I LOVE Dr. Pepper! But it’s been a year and I still haven’t had any! It’s still really hard and sometimes I crave one, but I’m staying strong! You can too! I believe in you! 

I am so proud of you! If you're struggling, that's okay. Here is a secret for you on why you're struggling... you're human. If you're not, awesome, help those who are to the best of your ability. Regardless of where you are in your goal setting, I am proud of you! Stick to it, keep hope! Remember to stop, breathe, pray, and believe! 

This week in creation corner: I substituted for an elementary art class this week. Their assignment required 5 random numbers between 1 and 30. There were 5 columns and 30 rows. Each row had a different word in it. When put together, these words made sentences. I asked Siri to pick my 5 numbers so they were random. My sentence was "a taco poked a happy hotdog on the couch." Here is the picture I came up with. 

History of Resolutions

Janus