In Greco-Roman Mythology, the Romans worshipped a Deity who went by the name Janus. Janus was depicted as having two faces that faced opposite directions. Some portrayals of him are of a being with two heads also. Before engaging in battle, the Romans would pray to this particular entity due in part to their perspective that each new battle would result in a victory, and every conquered territory was perceived as a new beginning or new chapter. Thus, the name Janus is the inspiration for the name JANUARY. Janus was depicted as the god of gateways, the god of doors.
There's something special about the new year. It is a time of hope, opportunity, and the joy of new possibilities. For many, the new year symbolizes starting fresh, a chance to turn over a new leaf and pursue new goals. No wonder New Year's resolutions are so popular. About half of Americans make resolutions each year. However, less than 10 percent of them actually achieve the goals they set. In fact, Strava, a fitness app with access to millions of user profiles, was able to pinpoint a “Quitter’s Day” based on its data points. (In case you were wondering, it’s the second Friday of January.) This date signifies when we are most likely to give up on the fitness goals we set in the new year.
Other studies have shown that two-thirds of people will give up on their New Year’s resolutions before the beginning of February (ref). The takeaway? Resolutions are feel-good moments, but they all too often fall by the wayside—and quickly.
I don’t necessarily believe in “New Years Resolutions”. Instead, each year, I write my goals down and post them to my personal archives. Then, at the start of each new year, I grade myself based on how well I achieved those goals and set brand new ones. Some of my resolutions I keep and turn into daily habits, while others I discard in favor of other things. Thanks to these commitments, I no longer drink sugary drinks (18 years), floss daily (15 years), work out every night (10 years), eat less sugar (6 years), practice intermittent fasting (5 years), write regularly (4 years), cook for my family (3 years), maintain a blog (2 years), and get more sleep (1 year).
As 2024 kicks off, I want to share some of the best tips I’ve found for committing to a New Year’s resolution—and then sticking with it:
· Set REALISTICALLY ATTAINABLE goals
· Trust the process
· Embrace the struggle
· Stay prayed up!
· Stay the Course
In conclusion….trust God and DON’T GIVE UP.
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