There’s something about the turning of the new year that gives us the feeling that we want to start over, and the making of resolutions as the new year begins is a time honored tradition that goes back to Babylonian times.  In those days the New Year was celebrated near the Spring Equinox in March.  This tradition continued into the Roman period but the New Year was changed to January 1 by Julius Ceasar to honor Janus, the god who looks both forward and backward.

When the ancient Babylonians made New Year resolutions, they were actually promises to the gods and they were taken very seriously.  Today we make the promises to ourselves, and our success depends upon how committed we are to improving our life. To many people, the New Year’s resolution is a bit of a joke; it was Mark Twain who said “Now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual.”

This year, don’t be one of the New Year Resolution Statistics. instead of making resolutions take a good and thorough look at your life.  Write down all of the things that you want to change, and take an honest look at the blocks that are keeping you from moving forward.

It’s not enough to write down your resolutions on January 1st – it’s important to continually remind yourself and reaffirm those intentions throughout the year.  Keep your list handy and read it daily so that you will remember what is important and refocus your attention in that direction.

I have a special to help you get started – every year I offer 30 minute Visioncrafting sessions for $35 to members of my mailing list.   I still have time left in the second half of January but space is going fast so sign up as soon as you are ready or email me for more information!

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 ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce