HAPPY NEW YEAR... FROM WHO'S ? RIGHT

As the 'New Year' dawns, Who's ? Right would like to take a moment to share various sayings, history, poems and other related information....

SAYINGS:     
 

Benjamin Franklin

"Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man." ~ Benjamin Franklin

 

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

"Time has no divisions to mark its passage, there is never a thunder-storm or blare of trumpets to announce the beginning of a new month or year. Even when a new century begins it is only we mortals who ring bells and fire off pistols." ~ Thomas Mann

HISTORY:
(from Wikipedia)

Janus

The Romans dedicated New Year's Day to Janus, the god of gates, doors, and beginnings for whom the first month of the year (January) is also named. After Julius Caesar reformed the calendar in 46 BC and was subsequently murdered, the Roman Senate voted to deify him on the 1st January 42 BC in honor of his life and his institution of the new rationalized calendar. The month originally owes its name to the deity Janus, who had two faces, one looking forward and the other looking backward.

 

This suggests that New Year's celebrations are founded on pagan traditions. Some have suggested this occurred in 153 BC, when it was stipulated that the two annual consuls (after whose names the years were identified) entered into office on that day, though no consensus exists on the matter. Dates in March, coinciding with the spring equinox, or commemorating the Annunciation of Jesus, along with a variety of Christian feast dates were used throughout the Middle Ages, though calendars often continued to display the months in columns running from January to December.

 

Among the 7th century pagans of Flanders and the Netherlands, it was the custom to exchange gifts at the New Year. This was a pagan custom deplored by Saint Eligius (died 659 or 660), who warned the Flemings and Dutchmen, "(Do not) make vetulas, [little figures of the Old Woman], little deer or iotticos or set tables [for the house-elf, compare Puck] at night or exchange New Year gifts or supply superfluous drinks [another Yule custom]." The quote is from the vita of Eligius written by his companion, Ouen.

 

Pope Gregory XIII

Most countries in Western Europe officially adopted January 1 as New Year's Day somewhat before they adopted the Gregorian calendar. In England, the Feast of the Annunciation on March 25, was the first day of the new year until the adoption of the Gregorian calendar in 1752. The March 25 date was known as Annunciation Style; the January 1 date was known as Circumcision Style, because this was the date of the Feast of the Circumcision, considered to be the eighth day of Christ's life, counting from December 25 when his birth is celebrated. This day was christened as the beginning of the New Year by Pope Gregory XIII as he designed the Liturgical Calendar.

 

 POEMS:

 

In Memoriam, [Ring out, wild bells]

By Lord Alfred Tennyson

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky, The flying cloud, the frosty light: The year is dying in the night; Ring out, wild bells, and let him die. Ring out the old, ring in the new, Ring, happy bells, across the snow: The year is going, let him go; Ring out the false, ring in the true. Ring out the grief that saps the mind For those that here we see no more; Ring out the feud of rich and poor, Ring in redress to all mankind. Ring out a slowly dying cause, And ancient forms of party strife; Ring in the nobler modes of life, With sweeter manners, purer laws. Ring out the want, the care, the sin, The faithless coldness of the times; Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes But ring the fuller minstrel in. Ring out false pride in place and blood, The civic slander and the spite; Ring in the love of truth and right, Ring in the common love of good. Ring out old shapes of foul disease; Ring out the narrowing lust of gold; Ring out the thousand wars of old, Ring in the thousand years of peace. Ring in the valiant man and free, The larger heart, the kindlier hand; Ring out the darkness of the land, Ring in the Christ that is to be. +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+  The New Year By Martha Snell Nicholson   Dear Lord, as this New Year is born I give it to Thy hand, Content to walk by faith what paths I cannot understand. Whatever coming days may bring Of bitter loss, or gain, Or every crown of happiness; Should sorrow come, or pain, Or, Lord, if all unknown to me Thine angel hovers near To bear me to that farther shore Before another year, It matters not—my hand in Thine, Thy light upon my face, Thy boundless strength when I am weak, Thy love and saving grace! I only ask, loose not my hand, Grip fast my soul, and be My guiding light upon the path Till, blind no more, I see!      100 YEARS AGO [1913]: > President of the United States was Woodrow Wilson > Vice-President was Thomas R. Marshall > The United States population was 97,225,000 > The 16th Ammendment [Income Tax] was adopted into the Constitution. > Nobel Peace Prize Winner was Henri La Fontaine (Belgium) > 1st sedan-type car (Hudson) goes on display at the 13th Annual Auto Show (NYC) > Ida B Wells-Barnett demonstrates for female suffrage in Washington DC ~ for more 1913 historical info, please visit: http://www.historyorb.com/1913

RESOLUTIONS:  

(from Wikipedia)

A New Year's resolution is a commitment that a person makes to one or more personal goals, projects, or the reforming of a habit. A key element to a New Year's resolution that sets it apart from other resolutions is that it is made in anticipation of the New Year and new beginnings. People committing themselves to a New Year's resolution generally plan to do so for the whole following year. This lifestyle change is generally interpreted as advantageous.

 

The ancient Babylonians made promises to their gods at the start of each year that they would return borrowed objects and pay their debts. The Romans began each year by making promises to the god Janus, for whom the month of January is named. In the Medieval era, the knights took the "peacock vow" at the end of the Christmas season each year to re-affirm their commitment to chivalry. At watchnight services, many Christians prepare for the year ahead by praying and making these resolutions. There are other religious parallels to this tradition. During Judaism's New Year, Rosh Hashanah, through the High Holidays and culminating in Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), one is to reflect upon one's wrongdoings over the year and both seek and offer forgiveness. People may act similarly during the Catholic fasting period of Lent, though the motive behind this holiday is more of sacrifice than of responsibility, in fact the practice of New Year's resolutions partially came from the Lenten sacrifices. The concept, regardless of creed, is to reflect upon self-improvement annually.

Top 10 New Year's Resolutions
By Albrecht Powell, About.com Guide

 1. Spend More Time with Family & Friends
 2. Fit in Fitness
 3. Tame the Bulge
 4. Quit Smoking
 5. Enjoy Life More
 6. Quit Drinking
 7. Get Out of Debt
 8. Learn Something New
 9. Help Others
10. Get Organized

NEW YEAR'S TOAST:

The "New Year's Toast" dates back to antiquity and is a habit with somewhat elusive and foggy beginnings. Odysseus drank to the health of Achilles in Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey. And in Rome, drinking to someone's health was so important that the Senate demanded that all diners drink to their emperor, Augustus Caesar, before every meal. Almost every culture of the ancient world - Hebrews, Egyptians, Persians, Saxons, Huns - conducted a pledging of honor with a glass for special occasions. The actual term "toast" was adopted in the 17th century AD when it was customary to to plop a piece of toast or crouton in a drink.

New Year’s Toast By Joanna Fuchs
Here’s to the new year...
May it bring more joy and success
And less grief and regret. To our dreams...
May we never stop believing in them
And taking the actions that will make them a reality. To our friends, loved ones, associates (or colleagues)...
May we take the time to let them know
How much it means to us
To have them in our lives. Let us encourage more and criticize less,
Give more and need less.
And whenever we can,
Let us create harmony and peace.
  To new beginnings...
Let us start fresh, right now,
To make this the very best year ever.
A very Happy New Year to all of us!  

 

  FROM WHO'S ? RIGHT