Lifestyle S E N I O R
LIVING
Lifelong Learning Written by D A N A P E V E L E R . Executive Director of Senior Living—Leisure Living Communities
T
he New Year is here and if you’re
January 1 around 46 B.C. The New Year
February 1, I was full of self-loathing
like me, you’re ready to tape up
was named for Janus, the two-faced god
over my failures.
the box on 2021 and move straight
who was said to inhabit doorways and
to set my goals to something useful,
into a bigger and better 2022! Did you
arches, able to see both backwards into
attainable, and reward myself every time
make a resolution or promise to yourself
the previous year, and ahead into the
I succeeded, but not fret over any slip-
to enforce a positive change somehow?
future. In 1740, the English clergyman,
ups. That year (15+ years ago) I resolved
Turns out, we’ve been ringing in
John Wesley established the watch night
to always change the empty toilet paper
the New Year and making resolutions
services which are still held today. The
roll as soon as I noticed it.
since the ancient Babylonians began
services are conducted on New Year’s
diligent, that I expanded to changing
holding celebrations 4,000 years ago!
Eve with time spent praying and making
them at work, family and friends’ houses,
The celebrations were held in Mid-
resolutions for the upcoming New Year.
travel rest stops, restaurants … I knew
March and lasted 12 days.
They used it
Did you know that 45% of us make
I decided I needed
I was so
I’d slayed the resolution dragon when I
as a time to crown a new king or reaffirm
resolutions, but only 8% keep them?
their loyalty to the reigning king. They
you’re part of the 37% who mean well,
made promises/resolutions to pay debts
you’re in great company! I tried for years
Last year, my resolution was to make
and return anything they had borrowed.
to keep my resolutions—legitimately
my physical and mental health a priority.
The Romans moved the celebration to
tried.
I didn’t commit to losing weight or
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Owensboro Living J A N U A R Y / / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2
January
1,
resolution
If
made.
found myself changing the toilet paper roll on an airline flight. Oh, yes, I did!
