Happy New Year 2025!

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Marble statue of Janus, from the Vatican Museums.

According to "National Geographic," the practice of New Year's resolutions has been around since the time of the Babylonians, some 4,000 years ago. They started their new year on the vernal equinox (first day of spring), usually around March 20. This was the time to plant crops, crown their king and pay off their debts. A common resolution of the time was to return borrowed farm equipment.

Eventually, the Romans (approximately 46 B.C.) took up the concept. However, they aligned the Babylonian New Year with their Julian Calendar so that the New Year started on January 1.

January was named for the two-faced Roman god, Janus, who looks both forward and backward. Which is how the new year became a time of both reflection and of looking forward (resolutions).

Interestingly, Janus was the guardian of the temple of peace, where the doors were opened during wartime so people could find safety. (And perhaps agree to a new beginning with their former enemies?)

In the Middle Ages (400-1200 A.D.), knights would renew their knightly values by taking the Peacock Vow (placing their hands on a peacock and reciting the Code of Chivalry). Why a peacock? In Charles Dickens' "All the Year Round," he said the splendor and color of the birds represented the majesty of the kings. Even today – especially today – the Code of Chivalry is worth striving for:

To live one's life so that it is worthy of respect and honor by:

Some interesting resolutions from history:

In the 1930s, Godfrey Hardy (Cambridge mathematician) resolved to find an argument for the non-existence of God that would convince the general public, and be the first man to summit Mount Everest (Edward Hillary got there on May 29, 1953).

In 1984, author Samuel Beckett sent the following telegram to The Times newspaper:

In 1972, author Susan Sontag wrote in her diary: "Kindness, kindness, kindness. I want to make a New Year's prayer, not a resolution. I'm praying for courage."

In 1943, singer-songwriter Woody Guthrie penned his "New Years Rulin's," a list of 33 resolutions that included:

From the Farmer's Almanac here's how our resolutions have changed over the years:

1. Improve my disposition, be more understanding, control my temper.

2. Improve my character, live a better life.

3. Stop smoking, smoke less.

4. Save more money.

5. Stop drinking, drink less.

6. Be more religious, go to church more often.

7. Be more efficient and do a better job.

8. Take better care of my health.

9. Take a greater part in home life.

10. Lose (or gain) weight.

1. Lose weight.

2. Get organized.

3. Spend less, save more.

4. Enjoy life to the fullest.

5. Stay fit and healthy.

6. Learn something exciting.

7. Quit smoking.

8. Help others fulfill their dreams.

9. Fall in love.

10. Spend more time with family.

We may start out the year with the best of intentions, but come March most folks will have abandoned them. This problem has been ongoing for enough years that it has become the fodder of many late-night satires. If you'd like to make resolutions that actually stick here's a few tricks:

• Start with 1-3 small resolutions/goals.

• Make them specific and something you want and can see yourself achieving.

• Choose your words carefully: "I want to lose 10 pounds," not "I should lose weight."

• Be grateful for the opportunity for growth.

• Break down each goal into small steps.

• Develop replacement habits.

• Pace yourself.

• Use a habit tracking app to record your progress and reward yourself for every step you complete.

• Stay positive, even if you have a setback.