By Kohar Bayizian
There is nothing new about New Year’s resolutions. The beginning of the new year, whether it falls at harvest time, spring time or any other time, has always been thought to be a great time to start over.
Henry Ward Beecher, the famous 19th-century abolitionist (and the brother of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” author, Harriet Beecher Stowe) once said, “Every man should be born again on the first day of January. Start with a fresh page.
Take up one hole more in the buckle if necessary, or let down one, according to circumstances; but on the first of January let every man gird himself once more, with his face to the front, and take no interest in the things that were and are past.”
I love this comment because it is so down to earth; Beecher talks about changing your belt size according to what you want to do with yourself, and what he really means is taking immediate action to realize your plan. In fact, the word “gird” (from where we get the word “girdle”) means “encircling or fastening with a belt” as well as “preparing to take action.” So that fresh January plan had better lead you somewhere.
Beecher does not want you to look back. And this is probably a good idea in some ways, like not dwelling on past problems or disappointments. But the past is also important and it is part of who we are. The word “January” comes from the Roman god Janus, the god of doorways who is depicted with two faces, one looking back and one forward.
What’s neat about this is that while a door opens to tomorrow and the future ahead, it is also about what you leave behind, whether it is a room (literally) or a part of your life.
So, back to Jan. 1. How many times have you heard your friend who has smoked ever since you have known him say he was going to quit or a chubby relative say he was going to lose weight? Or a slob say she was going to get neat? Does it work?
Maybe it does not matter. Maybe it is OK to look at the New Year as a clean slate. To make vows and set goals with every intention of following through. Maybe if we start new and reach high we will end up growing and improving. And isn’t that good enough?
