As the New Year rapidly approached, mostly everyone cheered for a new beginning as the clock struck midnight–a new year to bring luck, love, money, or whatever desires one can hope for. Many use a new year as a chance of forgiveness or peace and a new year with new faces and places, though the main purpose of a new year started off to be used for something less obtainable.
The beginning of resolutions began with the Babylonians in the pre-Christian times. The Babylonians planned on the New Year to be started over every year in the month of March, but soon after the month was changed to January by the Romans. The reasoning behind the month switch is because of the two-faced god, named Janus, who looked backwards into the old year and looked forward towards the New Year. There is a statue of Janus on the bridge in Rome that has a theory that if you touch the statue as you pass the bridge, it will bring you good fortune in the year to come.
The Romans planned on January, and new beginnings, to be a time to reflect on the past year and make changes for the better and the popular goal, back then, was to be good to others. Nowadays, people have common challenges like learning new technology, losing weight, being a better family member. the Puritans encouraged their children to learn from the past and be better in the future. If they made these New Year commitments then it would make their daily life, such as developing their talents, treating others with charity and respect, and avoiding sin by following laws, seem a lot more obtainable.
Every year brings something new and exciting, or sad and depressing, but both give you hope that in the years to come you can learn from your mistakes. Being a better person to others is a great resolution, and I think everyone should have that on their resolution list, not just as a personal goal but to remember the Romans and their true intentions of starting a new year every twelve months. Be of good cheer and become the person you want to be in this New Year.