50+ Lifestyles

PUBLISHER’S CORNER

By Eloise Graham

Resolutions…. or Procrastination?

Do you make resolutions? We all talk about them but does anyone make a serious list and try to stick to it?

What are resolutions, anyway?

Definition: a firm decision to do or not to do something.

Synonyms: intention, resolve, decision, intent, aim, plan, commitment, pledge, promise.

What is the origin of New Year’s Resolutions? 

Believe it or not, it has a religious origin. Babylonians made promises to their gods at the start of each year that they would return borrowed objects and pay their debts. The Romans began each year by making promises to the god Janus, for whom the month of January is named. Gee, I wonder if by January 6th, they had already broken their resolutions!

In both instances, it was a new year or new beginning thing. So that is why we talk about the New Year’s Resolutions.

It seems to me that most of our modern resolutions have to do with bettering ourselves and not making promises to gods. We more or less make the promise to ourself. Eat better, exercise more, get more sleep, be kinder to others, volunteer, spend more time with family and friends,

I never really made a list of my resolutions, I just thought of things I should do… but maybe tomorrow, or the next day. After all, each day is a new beginning and a new resolution can be made then.

I think that is called PROCRASTINATION.