December 29, 2015

New Year Traditions

Schricker,-Mary-Dec2010By Mary Schricker Gemberling

“Dear Lord,
So far this year I’ve done well!  I haven’t gossiped; I haven’t lost my temper; I haven’t been greedy, grumpy, selfish, or overindulgent.  I’m very thankful for that. But in a few minutes, Lord, I’m going to get out of bed, and from then on I’m probably going to need a lot more help with my New Year’s resolutions.”

-Anonymous

It’s that time again! Time to decide how we are going to be thinner, healthier, more active, kinder, more generous, and overall a better person than we were in 2015. What prompts this sudden urge to make all of these promises or declarations in this particular month? Is it our overindulgence of eating and spending in December that make us feel guilty?  Is it the feeling that because it is the beginning of the year it is time for our own “new beginnings”? Well, you might be surprised to know that making New Year’s Resolutions is not a new tradition.

The celebration of New Years is the oldest of all holidays! It dates back 4,000 years ago to the ancient Babylonians who in March promised their gods at the start of each year that they would return borrowed objects and pay their debts. The Romans changed it to January in honor of Janus, the two-headed god who looks backwards into the old year and forward into the new.  New Year’s Day is not January first in all cultures and countries. Regardless of the specific date there are good luck rituals around the world to bring good fortune and prosperity. In Sicily good luck will come to those who eat lasagna on New Year’s Day but he who dines on any other kind of noodle will have bad luck throughout the year.

In Whales at the first toll of midnight the back door is opened and then shut to release the old year and lock out all of its bad luck. In Spain when the clock strikes midnight, the Spanish eat 12 grapes, one with every toll of the bell to bring good luck for the 12 months ahead. In Japan, where Gary and I recently spent two weeks, New Years is a very important holiday, starting on January 1st and often lasting many days. New Year’s resolutions in Japan are made to bring prosperity and happiness for the future. Any unfinished business requires attention at the end of the year, so houses are cleaned, debts are paid, and foods are prepared prior to the New Year so the holiday may be enjoyed with leisure. Wearing new clothing, family members rise early on New Year’s morning and visit the family shrine before they settle down to a breakfast of traditional Japanese dishes.

I have to admit I have never been one to put too much effort into making or keeping New Year’s resolutions. I have always been pretty goal-orientated and tried to make necessary changes as the need presented itself. Oh, don’t get me wrong, in a perfect world I would love to be 10 pounds thinner, more altruistic, and a bit more organized especially when it comes to sending birthday cards to friends and family. But I have also reached that time in my life when I know that it is much more purposeful to be thankful and appreciative of what we are blessed with rather than wishing for more.

My 2015 blessings include the birth of another beautiful grandchild, Gus William Schricker; the continued  blessings of our entire blended family which now includes ten grandchildren ranging in age from three months to twenty-two years old; the love of my soul mate, Gary, who makes each and every day a wonderful adventure; our good health; our love of travel and our quest for new adventures; the love and camaraderie of our many friends, both old and new; and lastly, but most importantly, the gift of our faith!

May you, my readers, be equally blessed with healthy days, good fortune and much happiness in 2016.

“Today I woke up healthy. Today I woke up happy. Today I woke up. Thank you God.”

Anonymous


Mary Schricker Gemberling, former educator and Seniors Real Estate Specialist, is the author of three books: The West End Kid, Hotel Blackhawk; A Century of Elegance and Labor of Love; My Personal Journey through the World of Caregiving (available at www.amazon.com).

Filed Under: Health & Wellness

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