Several of my favorite blogs talked about New Year Resolutions including http://jodiambroseblog.com/2013/01/04/awesome-awards-new-years-resolutions-and-other-such-goodies and http://beckysaysthings.wordpress.com/2013/01/03/becky-says-things-about-new-years.
I gave up on resolutions years ago. So long ago in fact, I put them out of my mind. Reading the blogs was an “Oh yeah, those” moment.
Then, I wondered how making New Year Resolutions started. Who’s responsible for such madness?
Oh my god, it’s the Babylonians! After 4000 years, we’re still at it. According to historical sources, the Babylonians hoped to please the gods by promising to return their neighbor’s plow or pay their debts. If we remain true to form with an 88% failure rate on keeping resolutions, that’s a lot of neighbors who never got their plow back.
My favorite resolutions are penned by Jonathan Edwards, a well known American Puritan. The word Puritan brings to mind many things, like stern and party pooper. These resolutions with an out are not one of them.
Here they are.
Resolved, never to speak evil of any, except I have some particular good call for it. Modern translation: Don’t gossip or say nasty things about others, unless they piss you off.
Resolved, always to do what I can towards making, maintaining and establishing peace, when it can be without over-balancing detriment in other respects. Modern translation: Avoid conflict but if someone screws you over, don’t be afraid to get in their face.
Do you make New Year resolutions? Do you manage keep them?
Life and Befuddlement 
Nah, I gave up on them, too. Just too forced. I strongly believe in a flow of things, so I do not like these end of year mania things. A new year is just a new day. No need for big resolutions…
Thanks! I’m with you, no need for big resolutions.
You are such a dear!! Thank you so much for mentioning my post. 🙂 You just made my day. And I love this: “Don’t gossip or say nasty things about others, unless they piss you off.” Ha!
You’re welcome! Happy to hear you liked my translation of the resolution.
Thanks for following my blog. I have given up on formal resolutions. It seems I am better off succumbing to spurious thoughts as to the need to change such as “This is stupid I have to quite doing this” , ” Why do I keep doing this” etc.
I don’t do resolutions either any more. Bitter Ben recommended your blog. I’m the one who narrated a couple of his blogs. I always on the look out for fun blogs and ones which fit my podcast theme, Does This Happen to You.