Diwali - in my part of India – is the last day as per our local calendar called Vikram Samvat, immediately followed by New Year on the next day . And this ushers in the occasion for making resolutions!! So my time for the ritual has arrived on 19th October, about two months ahead of English calendar
Who started this all?
It is believed that the Babylonians were the first to make New Year's resolutions, and people all over the world have been breaking them ever since. As per http://www.goalsguy.com/Events/n_facts.html , the tradition of the New Year's Resolutions goes all the way back to 153 B.C. This was , however, not done on 1st January because, the New Year did not always begin on January 1, till 46 B.C.
In his book “Gods, Goddesses, and Mythology, Volume 6” C. Scott Littleton mentions that Janus was one of the earliest Italian gods. He was the guardian of all entrances, thresholds, beginnings and endings. The first hour of every day belonged to Janus, as did the first day of every month and the first month of every year.
With two faces, Janus could look back on past events and forward to the future. Janus became the ancient symbol for resolutions and many Romans looked for forgiveness from their enemies . Interestingly, Janus is still alive in modern English through the month of January and the caretaker of doors and halls, the janitor, both named after him.
So, since 2162 years people have been making new resolutions , and who am I to be different – because I too am mystified by Janus, the ever-watchful and vigilant Roman god ?
Now the ball is squarely in my court !!
Resolutions are a tricky subject, just like corporate mission statements and vision statements! You can go on writing and re-writing and yet, the eerie feeling hangs that you have not chosen your best words to bring out what resides in your heart!
Sean Covey mentions in his pocket book, Daily reflections of Highly Successful Teens about one shortest, meaningful mission statement from a teenager, Katie Halls viz." Nothing Less!" Very well said, Katie.
Disheartened by Katie’s spectacular feat in brevity, I turn to the best-selling author John C Maxwell,
• who is a leadership expert, speaker & author, who is the author of more than thirty books, including the bestselling The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership and has sold over 13 million books and whose organizations have trained 2 million leaders worldwide
Maxwell says: “Everyone has the power to impact the outcome of his life. The way to do it is to focus on today….Today is the only time you have. It's too late for yesterday. And you can't depend on tomorrow."
In this hands-on and inspiring guide TODAY MATTERS, he offers twelve daily practices to help you control your daily agenda, make time for people you love, and find success in your career. Maxwell offers 12 decisions and disciplines-he calls it his daily dozen -that can be learned and mastered by any person to achieve success
1. ATTITUDE: Choose and display the right attitude daily
2. PRIORITIES: Determine and act on important priorities.
3. HEALTH: Know and follow healthy guidelines daily.
4. FAMILY: Communicate with and care for the family daily
5. THINKING: Practice and develop good thinking daily.
6. COMMITMENT: Make and keep proper commitments daily.
7. FINANCES: Make and properly manage dollars daily
8. FAITH: Deepen and live out your faith daily
9. RELATIONSHIPS: Initiate and invest in solid relationships daily.
10. GENEROSITY: Plan for and model generosity daily.
11. VALUES: Embrace and practice good values daily.
12. GROWTH: Seek and experience improvements daily.
I wish to stop here, saying “Thanks, Mr. Maxwell” & also saying “Nothing More”.
Dear Lord Janus, please wish me good luck for next 365 days.
Amen !
