Overflowing with laughter and good company, Christmas and New Year’s gives us all time to make wonderful memories with those closest to us. I hope you had delightful moments with your family and friends during the holiday season.
In 2018, I hope to continue sharing beautiful moments with you all. A year’s close brings reflection, excitement, and hope for what’s to come. Do you make New Year’s resolutions? I don’t like to call them resolutions, but rather things that need my attention. But where did the resolution tradition come from? According to HISTORY, the ancient Babylonians are credited as being the first to make New Year’s resolutions 4,000 years ago. However, instead of being celebrated in January, New Year’s festivities took place in mid-March.
During this time, the Babylonians named a new king or kept their reigning monarch. Additionally, they promised the gods they would pay their debts and return any objects they had borrowed. We identify these promises as the closest match to what we know as New Year’s resolutions today. If the Babylonians made good on their promises, the gods would grant them good fortune. And if not, they did not have the favor of the gods.
In ancient Rome, Julius Caesar declared January 1 as the beginning of the New Year. The month of January was named after Janus, the two-faced god whose spirit inhabited doorways and arches. The Romans believed Janus looked backwards into the previous year and ahead into the future so they offered sacrifices and made promises of good behavior for the year to come.
Whether you make New Year’s resolutions or not, the arrival of a New Year signals new beginnings and a time of change. I wish you all the best in 2018! May your year be filled with happiness, joy, and good fortune.
What was your favorite moment of 2017?
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My favorite time of 2017 was the total solar eclipse day. Several members of my family and extended family gathered at my home for the event. We had our lawn chairs arranged for prime viewing and as I live where we were only a few seconds shy of the total coverage time, it was spectacular! Lots of fun, visiting, food and awe! Sharon
My daughter’s wedding. It was an Indian ceremony on Labor Day weekend. The celebrations ansd colorful wedding attire was stunning. Most importantly, the joy of being with family and fiends during this memorable time.
2017 was a momentous year for me.. I have struggled with a malfunctioning thyroid for many years. Beginning in May of 2016 I was on a detox for 17 months. Unusual because no one stayes on a detox that long. However it cleaned me up so much so that finally the medicine works and is showing improvement in the blood test. I feel so much better, finally can sleep more than four hours and tired is a word I don’t use very often. So I am praising the Lord for getting me through those tough times and looking forward to a much healthier 2018.
One of my favorite moment of 2017 was my visit to the New York Botanical Gardens in May. It was a very hot day but it was so inspiring to be amongst the plants and trees. The most refreshing part was sitting near the small waterfall, which somehow made the area and us feel cooler. We plan to go back again this year, but in autumn to get a different view.
Another was my annual birthday visit to Tea and Sympathy for afternoon tea. Their Victoria Sandwich cake is so delicious!
Thanks for the tip on Tea & Sympathy. I look forward to trying it when I’m in NYC.
If you love botanical gardens, and are in the northeast, I recommend a visit to Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA. Dupont’s legacy is enchanting any time of year!