Origins of The New Year
Welcome to 2015! Did you ever think about the origins of the New Year? January 1 was created as the first day of the New Year in 46 B.C. by Julius Caesar for the purpose of synchronizing the calendar with the sun. January is named after the Roman God Janus – the God of new beginnings. Janus has two faces in order to simultaneously look into the past and the future. Thus, the New Year is an appropriate time to reflect upon the past and create new goals for the future. The custom of making New Year’s resolutions is based on this concept.
The Opportunity to Start Over Again
The New Year is a great time to take a good look at our lives, evaluate ourselves and see what works and what doesn’t. We can create new goals, new dreams, new futures. We can clean our houses – literally and metaphorically. It’s time to let go of the past and those things that limit us.
Fifteen Things You Can Do to Improve the Quality of Your Life in 2015
- Stop procrastinating and take action: make that phone call, write that resume or book, make that inquiry, ask your dream guy or girl out on a date, relinquish an unhealthy relationship, move to the city you always wanted to, go back to school, get a better job. Do whatever it is you’ve been putting off.
- Write down your goals: decide what you want, make goals, evaluate and reevaluate them.
- Make a conscious effort to live in the present: live life in the present moment. The past and the future exist only in the mind. Be alive! Honor life!
- Release old clothes: if you haven’t worn clothing in the past 12 months you probably won’t wear them again, so donate, sell or otherwise recycle them.
- Release clutter: look at your space in your house, garage, car, office, storage facility, etc. Have a garage sale, give away unneeded items. You’ll feel great from all the new room you created.
- Clean out your computer, tablet and smartphone: go through your devices and clean out unwanted, unused files, images, photos, contacts, etc. If your computer is slow, service or replace it.
- Simplify your life. Simplify whatever you can. For example, walk, jog or ride your bike instead of drive; carpool; delegate tasks.
- Eat healthy foods: everyone can improve their diet by eating healthier foods (organic whenever possible) and eating a simpler, balanced diet. Includes grains, locally grown vegetables and fruit, etc.
- Forgive everyone and everything. Forgiving yourself and others is an extremely effective and powerful way to become happier, healthier and freer. Let go of the past. Forgive and ask forgiveness.
- Laugh more. Live a happier life by laughing more and more. Laugh loud and hard. Laughing is a great soul cleanser and energizer. Laughing is contagious.
- Accept life as a place to evolve and grow. Life is magnificent, ever-new, mysterious. Life will mold you into a greater being if you let it!
- Exercise – yes, exercise. Statistics overwhelmingly reveal that exercise contributes to a healthier mind, attitude and body.
- Take up that hobby you always wanted. A hobby is a great way to focus your energy productively.
- Look at yourself in a whole new way – realize that you have maximum, unlimited potential. Let go of limiting thoughts. Thoughtfully create a list of the qualities you’d like to develop or improve.
- Create a balanced lifestyle composed of meditation and wisdom-based action. Develop the habit of daily meditation to center yourself in peace and poise. Go into the world and give it your best.
Be thankful for this New Year. Have gratitude for life. Every moment is precious. Bow to the greatness within and without. Remember that life is the greatest of all gifts, for it allows us to work out our karma, evolve and become free.