Here at South Boston Online, we expect that you have already made your plans for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.  Enjoy them; have a great time.  Perhaps we’ll see you.  All we can add is our fervent wish that your celebration this weekend will be a safe one.  Primarily, that means not drinking and then driving.  We want all of you back as our loyal readers in 2006.

     As you have probably guessed, we have a few thoughts about the New Year, mostly to do with resolutions.  Given the spotty history of New Year’s Day, perhaps it’s no surprise that most resolutions last no longer than sunrise on January 2.

     The Romans, from whom we draw many of our traditions, originally celebrated New Year on the first day of March.  Julius Caesar changed it to January 1, as part of his new Julian calendar.  Many peoples and nations once observed New Year on the winter solstice – December 21 – or December 25, which was sometimes called “Adam and Eve Day”.  In Medieval Europe, March 25, the Christian Feast of the Annunciation, became the New Year.  It was also called “Lady Day”. 

     Then along came the Gregorian calendar in 1582, from which we date our current New Year’s Day.  Depending on when your country of origin adopted the Gregorian calendar, your ancestors lost 10, 11, 12, or 13 days. And then there was the controversy over whether the new millennium began on January 1, 2000, or 2001.

     ‘Tis confusing, it is, it is.

     As a result of all this confusion, we strongly suggest you keep your resolutions few and (very) simple.  Actually, just one resolution, faithfully kept, will do.  Whatever it is, put it into the context of larger issues, so that you’ll be more motivated to keep it.

     For example, we have two energy problems in the U.S. – both the cost of energy and the reliability of its supply.  Why not resolve to turn off unnecessary lights and appliances (including your computer) and maintain your car?  Just that, nothing more.  Does something like this make a difference?  Well, if everyone in America resolved to do those two things, the price of energy would drop like a rock in a small pond.  And your own efforts will more than pay for themselves, anyhow.

     The health of Americans is not all that good, to say the least.  We eat too much of the wrong foods and we don’t get enough exercise.  Did you know that of the top ten major diseases in America, eight are significantly worsened by poor diets and lack of exercise?  We are not competent to offer you medical/nutritional advice, but could we suggest you resolve to take a 30-minute walk every day?  Just that, nothing more.  Walk for a few months, and come spring, see how good you’ll feel.

     Are you concerned about crime?  You should be!  But there’s no need to feel helpless.  Resolve to devote a couple of hours per week to one of the citizen’s crime watches that will be springing up in South Boston during the coming year.  Just that, nothing more.

     Pick one worthy cause – just that, nothing more – and resolve to donate a little time and money to it during 2006.  Make the selection yourself.  There are many needs out there.

     Resolve to share one activity a month with your kids.  Just that, nothing more. They’ll look at you sideways at first, but they won’t forget you did it.

     The list of suggestions could go on, but it has to start with you and your one, single, very simple (but important) resolution.  Just that, nothing more.

     Oh yes, all of us at South Boston Online wish you a bodaciously Happy New Year.  Just that, nothing more.  Or less.