My New Year’s Resolutions

Whenever I am asked to define New Year’s resolution, I often find it hard to give one. But let me for the purpose of this piece explain it as an act in which a person makes a promise or better still takes a decision at the beginning of the year resolving to follow through on those decisions. New Year’s resolution was a common tradition and one of the earliest known to mankind.

The religious origin of New Year’s resolutions can be traced to the Babylonians, Romans and Catholics. The Ancient Babylonians made strong pledges and promises to their gods at the beginning of each year that they would pay their debts and return borrowed objects to their owners.

Similarly, the Romans began each year by making promises to the god Janus, after whom the month of January is named. In the Medieval era, knights and other devout religious persons took vows at the beginning of each year to re-affirm their commitment. Many of them took the vows at the watch night services.

The tradition also has a parallel in Judaism’s Yom Kippur ceremony (the Day of Atonement). On this day, one is to reflect on one’s wrongdoing over the year and seek and offer forgiveness. However, the practice of New Year’s resolutions in contemporary times actually emanated from the Catholic fasting period of lent. This practice affords them the opportunity to reflect upon self-improvement annually.

Having had the benefits of knowing the historical foundation of what we have today as New Year’s resolutions and their relevance; it behoves us to make ours. So, have you made your own resolutions? Of course, I have made mine.

My first resolution is that I have decided to spend more time in serving God and communing with Him. Not that I am a hidden or one who does not appreciate the import of serving one’s maker. But after a thorough reflection on myself, I discovered that my chosen profession (journalism) had taken the better part of my devotion to God. Seeking stories and thinking of what subject to write on daily cannot keep one focused on serving one’s creator. This year will change all of that.

I have also vowed to appreciate my wife and children more than before. This will include giving more time to them and taking them out in the spirit of recreation and fun-having. I have always believed that beside God my family comes first in my life. They therefore deserve the attention. I will also give more time to those I consider to be real friends.

Last year I did not exercise my body regularly. But this year I have vowed to exercise it befittingly in order to attain real fitness. I won’t refrain from doing this given the benefits of exercising the body. Studies in medical science reveal that it reduces the risk of contracting certain terminal ailments like cancer, renal failure, high blood pressure-related ailments etc. Why don’t you join me to perform this exercise so that together we can shape up?

Given the hectic, stressful nature of my profession, I have decided to enjoy myself by eating sumptuously from my labour. I will not work like an elephant but eat like an ant. No, I won’t. This is very important to me because it is a significant step to enjoying one’s life more this year. I will ensure a balance of my body, soul and mind.

Money has never been a source of stress to me in my life and will not be this year. I don’t believe in obtaining loan for consumption. Loan should be obtained for productive ventures. This is where many get it wrong. They take loans they cannot service and the thought of repaying such debts has pierced their hearts with many sorrows. This year I will not attempt what I have not fallen to before. I will not be indebted to anyone.

Also, I have resolved that in 2014 I will give myself entirely to knowledge or learning. What I mean is that this is a year to learn new things. I agree with the proverb that says “Little knowledge is a dangerous thing”. That is knowing a little about something is worse than not knowing anything at all. This year I will update my obsolete knowledge to enable me attain relevance in these digital times.

A popular, non-selfish New Year’s resolution can take different forms. One way it can take is by helping others. I have resolved to give my time and resources to better the lives of people whenever I come across them. I may not be able to do so much in this regard. But I will surely give even if it means giving what I do not need.

I am not done yet. This year I will watch that silent killer called stress closely. I will not do anything beyond my capability because I don’t want to die before my time. Yes, I reject it. Though medical science has been sounding it that not all stress is bad, I would rather not be a recipient of such benefits if there are any. All I know is that chronic stress can expose one to serious health problems. It won’t be my portion. Amen.

Let me spare us the agony of going through my seeming endless resolutions. A major challenge faced by those who make resolutions of this nature is that they leave God out of it hence lacking the will to execute them. But in my case I have brought God into it so I believe it will work. I have also decided to share them with my peers so that I won’t renege on any of them. By 2015, I hope to be a brand new and marketable person. God willing.

Arnold Alalibo