World On Press New Year’s Resolution - the BIG Question
Skhumbuzo Ngidi and Thanduxolo Jindela
The history of celebrating New Year goes all the way back to 153 B.C. The date of New Year is not always the same in every culture. It is a time of celebration and exchanging of gifts for most. Nevertheless January 1st marks the beginning of the year in many countries that apply the 365 day calendar. The celebration of a New Year is the oldest of all holidays. Global good luck traditions are customs believed to bring good fortune and prosperity towards the imminent year. Different cultures and countries celebrate the beginning of the year with many traditions and customs.
In Australia, the sucking pig symbolizes good luck for the New Year. It is usually served on a table decorated with tiny edible piglets. Britain: The British believe the first guest who arrives on New Year’s Day brings good fortune. They believe it should be male bearing gifts and should enter through the front door and leave through the back door. Japanese decorate their homes in tribute to luck gods. In the United States the kiss shared at the stroke of midnight is derived from the masked ball that has been common throughout history. The ball symbolizes evil from the old year and the kiss symbolizes purification into the New Year.
The BIG question is do New Year’s resolutions ever exist or even come to pass, as people often make overzealous resolutions which result in failure. Setting goals too high can be a demotivating disappointment. Here are some famous resolutions people make - most of which by the end of January none are abided by: getting a new job; quitting habits such as smoking or drinking; changing a relationship; going to the gym; having a healthy lifestyle or simply making more friends. Sometimes people wonder if they should note them this year or rather pursue them next year. Making resolutions and breaking them is all part of an unending cycle. It is also another change to get it right, paving goodwill again. Its all in looking back and making it work. A New Year’s resolution might sometimes go in and out in another year. Patience and hard work therefore repay equally. Learn to take time in life and allow the resolved plans to carry you through 2010 and beyond.
