Bust of the god Janus, Vatican museum, Rome. Image via Wikipedia
By Peggy McDaniel, BSN, RN, infusion practice manager
I’ve never been much for New Year’s resolutions. I guess it’s because I know I won’t keep them—or at least recognize that my track record has been less than stellar. I’ve made the usual promises to myself: eat less, exercise more, learn a new craft, spend more time reading and less time on the Internet . . . and so on.
It seems as if such promises are made with tongue in cheek—even, possibly, made to be broken. So many resolutions are about self-improvement; I suppose that’s a good thing, except we don’t tend to follow through. The yoga classes I attend are always packed from January 2 through approximately March 15, then attendance slowly tapers back to the usual attendees. Do we feel we’ve been successful if we hang in there for a month, two or three months?
I’m not sure I’ve ever made a New Year’s resolution I really planned on keeping.
According to Wikipedia, the Roman ruler Julius Caesar changed the celebration for New Year’s from March to January 1 in 46 B.C. The day was “dedicated to Janus, the god of gates, doors, and beginnings,” who happened to have a face on both sides of his head. This signified the ability to look back and forward at the same time.
That’s something worthwhile—looking back at what we can and should change while looking forward in expectation and taking the opportunity do so. Other cultures celebrate New Year’s on different dates, based on their own calendars. No matter where or when, the idea of a new year, or a new beginning, is celebrated in a variety of ways around the world and has been for thousands of years.
As a nurse, what does the start of a New Year mean to you? This year will find me fulfilling a long-time dream to work in another country. Read the rest of this entry ?
