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Originally published in The Kiowa County Signal on Dec. 27, 1951
Eager Promises
Is there an easy resolution?
New Year resolutions have long been a common practice of humanity, and the brunt of a million jokes.
Neither fact is too surprising. Man always has been eager enough to make promises to himself and to others, just as he has been quick to criticize his own weakness when he fails to follow through.
Yet there are always reasons why resolutions fail. True, they might have been made with all seriousness, but still lacking in strength or perseverance. The fallen resolutions are always those that were impractical, and not easily adapted to the general pattern of living.
There is a parable: “No man putteth new wine into old wine skins.”
A fermenting wine would easily burst the seams of an old wine ski, just as a non-practicable resolution falls along the wayside of daily living. If one is to make new and strong resolutions there must be a new and stronger person to uphold them.
The easiest resolution of all to make and follow is one to work for a world of peace and harmony.
And Bonne Annee to You
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
These words will soon ring around the world, but it won’t sound the same everywhere.
For instance, should you be in gay Paree, this is the greeting: “Bonne Annee!” Across the waters in Spain, natives say: Feliz Ano Nuevo!” In sunny Italy it’s: Byon Capo d’Anne!”
Most of the above greetings we can almost decipher. It is the salute of countries like Germany, Norway and Sweden that are sharp tongue-twisters. For example, Germans wish a happy new year with “Ein Gluckliches Neues Jahr.” Sweden and Norway are a little simpler, but still ticklish. The Swedes say “Got Nytt Ar,” and the Norse say “Godt Nytt Aar.”
None-the-less, it still means Happy New Year!
New Year passes on all old superstitions
Through centuries of celebrations, New Year’s Day has managed to pass on to each succeeding generation the superstitions that people of olden times held about the first day of the year.
Residents of England once believed it is to be an ill omen is one shared a lighted match with another on New Year’s morning. English maidens and Scottish ones as well, made a custom of rushing to the well at the stroke of midnight. The first to taste the water would have the best luck during the ensuing year.
Residents of the Isle of Mann held that a dark complexed person brought good fortune with him if he was to first enter a house after the new year had begun. A light haired visitor was believed a bearer of misfortune.
In early America, New Englanders considered it inviting bad luck to go outside the house on New Year’s Day until someone had entered.
Southerners believe that it invites prosperity when back-eyed peas are included on the New Year’s Day menu.
Originally published in The Kiowa County Signal on Dec. 27, 1951
Eager Promises
Is there an easy resolution?
New Year resolutions have long been a common practice of humanity, and the brunt of a million jokes.
Neither fact is too surprising. Man always has been eager enough to make promises to himself and to others, just as he has been quick to criticize his own weakness when he fails to follow through.
Yet there are always reasons why resolutions fail. True, they might have been made with all seriousness, but still lacking in strength or perseverance. The fallen resolutions are always those that were impractical, and not easily adapted to the general pattern of living.
There is a parable: “No man putteth new wine into old wine skins.”
A fermenting wine would easily burst the seams of an old wine ski, just as a non-practicable resolution falls along the wayside of daily living. If one is to make new and strong resolutions there must be a new and stronger person to uphold them.
The easiest resolution of all to make and follow is one to work for a world of peace and harmony.
And Bonne Annee to You
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
These words will soon ring around the world, but it won’t sound the same everywhere.
For instance, should you be in gay Paree, this is the greeting: “Bonne Annee!” Across the waters in Spain, natives say: Feliz Ano Nuevo!” In sunny Italy it’s: Byon Capo d’Anne!”
Most of the above greetings we can almost decipher. It is the salute of countries like Germany, Norway and Sweden that are sharp tongue-twisters. For example, Germans wish a happy new year with “Ein Gluckliches Neues Jahr.” Sweden and Norway are a little simpler, but still ticklish. The Swedes say “Got Nytt Ar,” and the Norse say “Godt Nytt Aar.”
None-the-less, it still means Happy New Year!
New Year passes on all old superstitions
Through centuries of celebrations, New Year’s Day has managed to pass on to each succeeding generation the superstitions that people of olden times held about the first day of the year.
Residents of England once believed it is to be an ill omen is one shared a lighted match with another on New Year’s morning. English maidens and Scottish ones as well, made a custom of rushing to the well at the stroke of midnight. The first to taste the water would have the best luck during the ensuing year.
Residents of the Isle of Mann held that a dark complexed person brought good fortune with him if he was to first enter a house after the new year had begun. A light haired visitor was believed a bearer of misfortune.
In early America, New Englanders considered it inviting bad luck to go outside the house on New Year’s Day until someone had entered.
Southerners believe that it invites prosperity when back-eyed peas are included on the New Year’s Day menu.
