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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 2007)
4 JANUARY 1,2007 Smoke Signals !ew Year's Resolutions A Long Time Tradition By Toby McCIary As 200( comes to an end and 2007 holds promise and angst, many will try to better them selves through an ancient tra dition known as a New Year's resolution. Some popular resolutions in clude maintaining fitness or ap pearance, eliminating the usage of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs and eating sensibly or exercising more often. "I always make the same resolution every year," said Medical Secretary and Tribal member Kim Campbell, "to lose weight." The research on new year's resolutions indicate that about 75 of resolution-makers have followed through after the first week. The number then drops to about 50 af ter the first six months. Less than 10 of peo ple reach the one year mark with their resolution. "I never follow through with my resolution," said Campbell. "There is just too much sugar out there." According to the proactive-coach. com website, many people do break their resolutions but those that make them are more likely to at tain their goals than those that do not. Here are sev eral tips you can use to help ffollow through j with your reso- lutions: Rp rpalist in Do not set a goal that is unattainable. Don't keep it a secret Talk about your goals to those who are close to you. Let them help encourage you. Track your progress Keep track of your small suc cesses day-by-day. This will help you to reach the overall goal. Stick to it Experts say it takes about six months for a habit to become part of your personality. Don't give up If for some reason you fail, that opens a door for a new beginning. There is no reason you can't make a New Year's resolution any time of the year. Not everybody makes a resolu- Brisbois, "doesn't believe in them." "It's about setting a goal," said Marietta. "The majority of the Some popular resolutions include maintain ing fitness or appearance, eliminating the usage of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs and eating sensibly or exercising more often. tion and not everybody believes in them. Tribal member and Mainte nance Technician Tyson Mercier said he doesn't see the sense in making resolutions on New Year's. "It's for the weak," said Mer cier. "If you want to do some thing, then do it. You don't have ones I have made, I have fol lowed through with." Making a resolution doesn't always have to be about personal appearance or health. Behavior al Health Secretary Nadine Burt said that she usually makes one every year but that this year's is different. "This year I am buying a to wait until the beginning of the year to accomplish something." And Patient Registration Assistant Marietta Brisbois (Colville) said that even though she makes one every year, her husband, Tribal member and Recreation Coordinator Melvin house," she said. "And my goal is to follow through with it." According to www.addern.com, the celebration of the New Year is the oldest of all holidays. It was first observed in ancient Babylon about 4000 years ago. In the years around 2000 BC, Babylonians celebrated the be ginning of a new year on what is now March 23, although they themselves had no written cal endar. Late March actually is a logi cal choice for the beginning of a new year. It is the time of year that spring begins and new crops are planted. January 1, on the other hand, has no astronomical or agricultural significance. It is purely arbitrary. The Babylonian New Year celebration lasted for eleven days. Each day had its own particular mode of celebration, but it is safe to say that modern New Year's Eve festivities pale in comparison. The Romans continued to ob serve the New Year on March 25, but their calendar was continually tampered with by various emperors so that the calen dar soon became out of synchroni zation with the sun. In order to set the calendar right, the Roman senate, in 153 BC, declared Janu ary 1 to be the beginning of the New Year. But tampering cori tinued untiLilH lius Caesar, in 46 BC, established what has come to be known as the Julian calendar. It again estab lished January 1 as the New Year. But in order to synchronize the calendar with the sun, Caesar had to let the previous year drag on for 445 days. Although the date for New Year's Day is not the same in every culture, it is always a time for celebration and for customs to ensure good luck in the com ing year. As part of helping those who wish to lose weight, the Well ness Department will be hosting a Weight Watch ers program be ginning after the first of the New Year. If you are interested in participating please contact Tribal member and Health Promotion Specialist Tracy Biery. D Graphic by George Valdez
