Happy New Year! A World of Resolutions and Traditions

December 29, 2009

 

We’ve made it through Christmas and New Year’s is upon us.  We celebrate and vow to do things better in the New Year.  We get to start with a clean slate!

 New Year’s Celebrations Around the World

When we were living in different countries, one thing I learned is that New Year’s isn’t always on January 1.  In one year as we moved from Europe to Asia, we were able to experience at least 7 different New Year celebrations – we started with ours in January, with our favorite bubbly and good cheer.  Then there was Chinese New Year in the beginning of February with its fireworks, gifts and dragon dances.  Nyepi in primarily Hindu Bali where noisy celebrations scare away the evil spirits followed by a day of silence. Songkran in Thailand where we were soundly doused with water to wash away the past.  Hari Raya in Malaysia, although not technically the Islamic New Year is a great  time of celebration at the end of Ramadan.  Rosh Hashana with good friends in many countries.    Deepavali (Diwali)Festival of Lights.  Each had it’s own sights, sounds, traditions and foods.  Yum!  We had a lot of fresh starts that year!

 

In fact, that is one of the great lessons learned from our travels – whatever our celebrations, we are much the same.  Whether it involves new clothes, cleaning house – sweeping away the old – new year’s is much the same.  Everyone gets a chance for a clean slate and to start anew.

 

Granted my history with resolutions isn’t very good.  I make them (usually to lose weight, see Diet and Exercise  (next week)) and then need to start over again a few months later. Instead of feeling guilty about making and breaking New Year’s resolutions, I prefer to think that I start every day with a resolution

 

 At least I know this is a universal trait of all people – we are just human. You don’t need six new years celebrations to get it right.  Resolve to make each day a little better than the last.. Make everyday New Year’s Day – embrace the future and start to make it a little better.

 

Happy New Year!

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