Deep down, we all have a desire to better. It is why the tradition of making New Year’s resolutions is so popular.
Except for Lucy Van Pelt of Peanuts fame! Early one year, Charlie Brown asks Lucy what her resolution(s) would be. Lucy is very offended.
“What! Why should I make resolutions! What’s wrong with me! I’m perfect already!” she yells, or something similar to that effect. I can’t find the exact comic strip.
I’m more like Charlie Brown. There are so many faults I can’t list them all. Where would I start in making only one resolution? Yet, somehow, I survive!
Where did this tradition arise? Most credit the ancient Babylonians, who started the tradition about 4,000 years ago. That’s a lot of broken resolutions!
Apparently, Babylonians were the first to hold recorded celebrations in honour of the new year, which began when the crops were planted in March. They held a 12-day religious festival called the Akitu, when they crowned a new king and reaffirmed their loyalty to the reigning king. They also made a promise to the gods to pay their debts and return any objects they had borrowed. If they complied, the gods would look kindly upon them. If not – well – we all know what happened!
TV comedy shows have a blast with shows on the subject. The writers take delight in a character’s failures as one resolution after another bites the dust. Viewers take great delight in seeing someone fail rather than succeed. How strange human nature is!
The most difficult resolutions? Quitting smoking. Quitting drinking. Going on a diet! Many fail faster than the Road Runner running away from Wile E. Coyote. And that’s pretty fast!
I can’t remember the last time I declared a resolution. Why set yourself up for failure? Many will be there to remind you what a loser you are. Forget about the efforts. You failed! There is no participation medal or ribbon for flubbing a resolution. No band will play toasting your failure!
It’s why I’ve taken the “resolution or revolution” attitude. Seeing most are doomed to fail miserably, my resolution is to begin a revolution against this silly tradition. Does that even make sense?
It is said doing the same thing over and over again is the definition of insanity. So why make a resolution you know will eventually fail? So much bother over so little!
To the people who make resolutions and stick by them, good for you! I can only imagine the tremendous will power and resolve you have. You have a character similar to Lucy while I’m stuck with Charlie Brown’s genes!
I have many friends who are only too glad to suggest resolutions for me. Lose some weight. Be kinder to councils. Cough, cough! Quit telling stories! Imagine those few people who suggest I spin a yarn too often! I am so misunderstood!
Well, I have suggestions for others on what their resolutions could be. Since I am not making any myself, it would be improper to suggest resolutions to others.
Besides, I do not want to run the risk of offending the Babylonian gods!
Or Lucy, as Charlie Brown discovered. Even mentioning the subject brought him great grief!
It is indeed to be safe than sorry and stay away from the resolution business. Better one decide for themselves they are perfect, like Lucy, and avoid the eventual criticism.
Now that is one resolution I can uphold!
Chris Clegg