Nauf: “So, did you do it?”
Boleskine: “Do what?”
Nauf:  “You know, did you stick to your resolutions from last year?”
Boleskine: “Ummm, no. I didn’t make any.”
Nauf:  “UGH, you’re no fun.”

A moment of silence passes between the friends, then as expected…

Nauf:  “So, you making any for this year?”
Boleskine: “I don’t think so, nobody ever sticks to them you know.”
Nauf:  “Maybe that should be your resolution.”
Boleskine: “What?”
Nauf:  “If you resolve not to stick to the ones you make, then you are sure to follow through!”
Boleskine: “That’s nice, Naufragio. The pretty nurse will be here in a few moments with your medication. Why don’t you just relax into this warm white jacket, it’s a little cool in here…”


Well, once Naufragio escapes, I mean ditches the nurse, I mean…Naufragio has the Romans to thank for her plight.

Although a “New Year” has been celebrated as early 4000 years ago by the Babalonians, often at that time it was held in Spring, near the end of March. Many cultures of that time used a Lunar calendars which did not follow a 365 day cycle. The Chinese calendar is an example that one might be familiar with. The Julian and Gregorian calendars are Solar calendars. Although approved in 153 B.C by the Roman senate, the calendar was tweaked until 46 B.C. when Julius Cesar developed the calendar to accurately reflect the seasons that January first officially became the “New Year” for those that follow it. It was during that time that Janus was put in charge of those festivities.

Janus was the Roman God of beginnings and endings. He was often pictured with two faces, one looking forward and the other backwards. A symbol for change and transitions, he was the perfect deity for looking at those unwanted aspects of your past and planning for  a better future.  The Romans would give gifts of branches from sacred trees as well as nuts and coins with Janus’ image at midnight on Dec 31 when Janus was looking at the year coming and the year leaving simultaneously. He became a symbol for resolutions throughout the ancient world and the month of January was named after him. (Starting to make sense now, isn’t it?)

P.S.

January 1 has extra special meaning in my family. It is the birthday of not only my father, but his mother as well. My grandmother has passed on but she is always remembered on the day of her birth, the same day (different years, duh) that she gave birth to my father.

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