What does the phrase New Year’s resolution mean?

A New Year’s resolution is a commitment that someone makes to a project or a habit, often a lifestyle change that is generally interpreted as advantageous. The name comes from the fact that these commitments normally go into effect on New Year’s Day and remain until the set goal has been achieved, although many resolutions go unachieved and are often broken fairly shortly after they are set.

wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Year_resolution

Its origins

Most people do not know where the custom of New Year’s resolutions originated. Historians track the origin of this custom to the ancient Babylonians, who used the New Year to try to make amends for their wrongdoings of the past year. The New Year’s

celebration originated around 2000BC in Mesopotamia.

New Year’s celebrations included elaborate parties and merry-making, as well as the custom of making resolutions for the forthcoming year, attempting a “fresh start”. One of the most common resolutions in ancient Babylon was to return all borrowed farming equipment. Additionally, depending on the culture, various gods were worshipped on that day and asked to bless the new year. From these early traditions, the custom of New Year’s resolutions was passed down through generations, becoming the tradition that so many participate in today.

Here are some popular and sometimes funny resolutions made by children

Pre-school age

• I will clear up my toys.

• I will brush my teeth twice a day, and wash my hands after going to the bathroom and before eating.

• I won’t tease dogs – even friendly ones.

School Age Kids

• I will try to find a sport or an activity (like dancing or riding my bike) that I like and do it at least three times a week!

• I will always wear a helmet when cycling.

• I will sit in the back every time I get in a car and wear my seat belt.

• I’ll be nice to other kids. I’ll be friendly to kids who need friends – like someone who is shy, or is new to my school.

• I will drink milk and water, and limit soft drinks.

• I’ll never give out personal information such as my name, home address, school name or telephone number on the internet. Also, I’ll never send a picture of myself to someone I chat with on the computer without my parent’s permission.

Teens

• I will eat at least one fruit and one

vegetable every day.

• I will limit the amount of soft drinks.

• I will take care of my body through physical activity and nutrition.

• I will choose non-violent television shows and video games, and I will spend only one to two hours each day, at the most, on these activities.

• I will help out in my community – through volunteering, working with community groups or by joining a group that helps people in need.

• I will remove negative “self talk” (that is, “I can’t do it” or “I’m so dumb”) from my vocabulary.

• When I feel angry or stressed out, I will take a break and find constructive ways to deal with the stress, such as exercising, reading, writing in a diary or discussing my problem with a parent or friend.

• When faced with a difficult decision, I will talk with an adult about my choices.

• I will resist peer pressure to try drugs and

alcohol.