A resolution is a promise to oneself to improve upon one’s previous actions, or lack thereof. In that vein, I will end the year acknowledging a mistake in my previous column titled, “A Poet Laureate named Ina.” I stated that Agnes Moulton Coolbrith married Joseph Smith in 1842 and “was probably the only wife that did not bear him any children.” Joseph Smith had over 30 wives and most likely only bore children from his first wife Emma. My first resolution for 2015, to do a better job with my fact checking.
What about this resolution stuff, and does it make the world a better place? Richard Wiseman conducted a study in 2007 that indicated 88 percent of those who make New Year’s resolutions fail. That means only 12 percent of us who make a resolution will succeed. Hmmm. The study went on to say that women succeeded 10 percent more when they made their goals public. Therefore, sharing my resolutions with my readers won’t help me achieve my new goals.
Funny, because at the end of this column I will be printing my 2015 New Year’s resolutions, the same one’s from 2014.
New Year’s resolutions are found in a variety of cultures worldwide, but are most common in the Western Hemisphere. The roots of this tradition are quite ancient and historical evidence suggests the practice may be over 4,000 years old.
At the beginning of each year, ancient Babylonians made promises to their gods that they would return all borrowed objects and repay all debts. Hammurabi ruled Babylonia during the 18th century BC and was known for developing 282 laws. For instance, if a man should destroy the eye of another man, his eye too shall be destroyed, thus the saying “an eye for an eye.” Here’s one for the contractor’s around town. If a builder constructs a house and that house falls down killing the owner, then the builder of the house shall be killed.
The Romans too made resolutions, making promises to the god Janus (January) each year. Watchnight services are held by Christians, providing them with the opportunity to reflect on the passing year and prepare for the year ahead. The “peacock vow” was taken at the end of the Christmas season by medieval era knights to reaffirm their commitment to chivalry. The whole idea, of course, is to reflect on self improvement and to make the necessary changes required to improve.
Now for my resolutions. There are those that have attempted to contact me regarding one piece of history or another, and have not received a response back. The reason for this is simple. There aren’t enough hours in the day. My promise is to try harder. Often I have to conduct some research to get at the answers and this is rather time consuming. From now on, I will at least respond, and pass the buck if need be to one of the many local historians that may have the information at the tip of their tongues. One last resolution goes to the Sonoma Sun: I promise to try to get my columns in other than at the last minute.
Along with resolutions come wishes. My wishes to readers are simple. First, I wish that those of you who make resolutions are in the 12 percent It seems in years past I have fallen into the 88 percent of those who fail. Wisdom dictates taking baby steps with resolutions and as the old adage goes, don’t take on more than you can chew. Have a great 2015, keep turning stones, and as always, let me know what you have discovered.
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