Lord, Will The Old Lady Keep Her New Year’s Resolutions?

Dear Father:

Hmm, Our Old Lady has spoken well. Like everyone in our global village, she has made her New Year’s resolution-massive development projects-including but not limited to the restoration of hydro electric power-something desperately needed here, road construction and rehabilitation and, not forgetting improving the economy and intensifying the fight against the age-old cancer-CORRUPTION!

Wow, my son, this is a very ambitious resolution then.

Yes Father, but you know, New Year continues to provide the perfect time to look back into the past year and make plans for the future. Many take it as an opportunity to improve on their lives or performance over time. They make lofty plans, which are often referred to as New Year Resolutions.

And you know, New Year’s resolutions are essentially commitments or promises that people make to themselves. These could be a promise to make a change in a habit for one own betterment or maybe to complete a project, get marry or pursue a career.

As you may know Father, New Year’s resolution has come a long way. Many believe that New Year’s Resolutions was started by early Babylonians. It is said that their most resolution was to return borrowed farm equipment, pay back debts and begin the New Year with a clean slate.

The Romans too, began each year by making promises to the god Janus, for whom the month of January is named.

During the Medieval era, as you may also know, the knights were said to have taken the “peacock vow” at the end of the Christmas season each year to re-affirm their commitment to chivalry.

There are other religious parallels to this tradition, Father. Researchers say “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 have acted 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.

But the concept, regardless of creed, Father, is to reflect upon self-improvement annually.

Ideally, New Year’s resolution should remain in place until the goal is effectively achieved. But most New Year’s resolutions are broken shortly after they are made.

Is that so my son?

Yes Father, statistics show that in Uncle Sam’s village for example, 40% of Uncle Sam’s children do make New Year resolutions; only 8% of this number often makes an effort to achieve their goals.

Other statistics reveal that only 75% of resolutions made past the first week: 71% in the second weeks. After one month: 64%; After 6 months: 46%. It also shows that about 67% of people make three or more resolutions. In fact, it is said that only 15% of New Year’s resolution are achieved.

You see, Father this is the reason why I am worried as to whether our Old Lady will keep her New Year’s resolutions.

Why are you worrying my son?

You see Father, it is due to a number of factors: first, the commitment of the Old Lady’s kitchen cabinets and others around her to do away with prioritizing their personal agendas to focus on the village developmental agenda. Don’t forget that this year is an election year in our village and many of our leaders will be seeking their personal interest.

And you know, the Old Lady has only two more years after this year, which is why many of them are likely to focus on amassing personal wealth than implementing her development agenda.

The second reason is the Old Lady herself. Her commitment to fire and prosecute corrupt officials is yet to measure up to her nick name-The Iron Lady. As I write to you Father, we have entered the second week of the New Year, the 71% era, and some people whose foot print we are yet to see are still holding on. The reality of our village economy situation is hitting so hard each day.

To be continued.