Well, guys, here begins the new year. It isn’t just another year; it’s another shot at starting over, creating the life we want, reaching our goals and realizing our dreams. It is a time for reflection, goal-setting, celebration, and embracing new opportunities. It unites us in the pursuit of personal as well as collective growth. Someone has rightly said: “Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand and melting like a snowflake.”
Before we talk about what should be our resolution for the new year, let’s first talk about the history of new calendar year.
What’s the History of New Year?
There are so many fascinating things about new year’s history. Like, how did the idea of ‘baby new year’ come about? Or why does the new year begin on January 1? Well, there are alot of interesting things to tell. Let me tell you first about the Roman republican calendar and the Julian calendar: both recognize January 1 as the beginning of new year. Why was this date and month chosen? Well, it was chosen to honor a Roman god whose name was Janus. So, ‘January’ was named after Janus. You must ask, “why?” Well, in Greek mythology, this god was meant for beginnings; it is said that it had two faces that could go back to the past and move forward to the future. Interesting! Isn’t it?
This is also called Gregorian calendar, which is the most widely used calendar system today. History tells that January 1 was adopted as the first day of the year in the original Julian calendar as well as the Roman calendar, after 153 BC.
Why is New Year Celebrated?
Well, new year’s arrival is celebrated in almost all countries and cultures to basically welcome a new beginning. It has become a festival which not only the cultures across the globe celebrate but also the governments officially observe as a ceremony. It has long been associated with all kinds of new year’s norms and traditions. This coincides worldwide with the Christmas celebrations by the end of the year and the advent of winter season. Traditionally, the nation-states announce winter holidays so that people may participate in new year’s celebrations.
So, all in the spirit of winter holidays, they take the time to prepare good luck foods, and dress up in their favorite glittery outfits. In many countries, new year’s eve is celebrated with dancing, eating, drinking, and watching or lighting fireworks. The celebrations generally go on past midnight into new year’s day, January 1.
How to Make New Year Resolution?
Everybody, especially children and youth, make a wish for the new year with a resolve to determine a better future. This is called the ‘resolution for the new year’. There is a saying that “take the power to choose what you want to do and do it well. Take the power to love what you want in life and love it honestly. Take the power to walk in the forest and be a part of nature. Take the power to control your own life.” So it is important to make a resolution like that because we are entering into a new year; it is like new beginnings, new chances, and new dreams. We have to decide that this would be an excellent year ahead, and it would be the best of our years. The saying goes, “Don’t live the same year 75 times.” Rather make every year a different and new and more progressing than previous years.
Winter Vacations
Coinciding with the new year, winter vacations are additionally an exciting time. This is a time when days grow shorter and air turns crisp. Then schools give the students a break to enjoy the cold. During this period, there is a lot to have fun. In Pakistan, each province has a unique way of celebrating the winter. In cities like Murree, Swat, and Hunza, winter means snow-covered landscapes, making it look like magical wonderlands. In cities like Lahore, Multan and Karachi where landscapes are not snow-covered but have fog and mist, it is mesmerizing in a different way. People, especially children, wear warm clothes – coats or jackets, sweaters and gloves, hats or caps.
During winter, streets are filled with vendors selling roasts, soup, sweet potatoes, peanuts, dry fruit, etc. At homes, families enjoy traditional winter dishes like gajjar ka halwa (a sweet carrot dessert), sarsun ka saag (mustard greens curry), and makai ki roti (corn flatbread). Drinking hot tea or the pink-colored Kashmiri chai is a favorite activity. Kids sitting in cozy blankets love sipping on a warm honey-mixed cup of milk or eating peanuts and other dry fruit. One of the fun parts of winter is wearing warm clothes like sweaters, jackets, shawls, woolen caps and scarves.
There are often local festivals celebrating our culture, and traditions. Like in Hunza Valley, the Ginani festival celebrates the end of the harvest season. Moreover, winter evenings mean gathering around a bonfire with family and friends. Bonfire is a popular way to celebrate winter. Children sit with grandparents, listen to folktales and sing songs of joy. For those who prefer staying indoors, board games, puzzles, and family games become the perfect way to spend time.
New Year & Winter Vacations
Winter vacations coincide with the New Year celebrations. Children celebrate New Year together watching fireworks or lighting sparklers. It’s an exciting way to look forward to the new year with positivity and enthusiasm. It is also a time to escape the hectic school routine. To make it enjoyable, reading some interesting books is advisable. You can read the following if you so like:
Read Quran, Memorize A Surah Daily
You can start recitation from the Holy Quran, if you are not already doing it. Read at least one page daily and try to understand its meanings as well. Without understanding the Quran is not good at all. The Quran carries the message from God to the mankind. It needs to be understood and assimilated. Secondly, make yourself regular in offering namaz five times a day. Ask your parents for the meanings and understand what you recite in prayers.
Read Books
I suggest you to read books. For example, “A Little Princess” by Frances Hodgson Burnett is classic novel that tells a story set in the early 1900s. Sara lived with her father in India, the subcontinent at that time. It tells how an Indian guy enters the story. What is his role in Sara’s story? How Sara overcomes her problems? What is miss Minchin’s reaction on Sara’s new lifestyle? You must read the book for details. This novel is a true inspiration for anyone who wants to face the challenges of life with bravery, and like a princess!
Likewise, “Frindle” by Andrew Clement is another interesting novel, which is about creating new words. The story revolves around the word game that changes Nick’s life. How he deals with his popularity, you’ll find this in the captivating novel. It’s a must read novel for school kids, introducing ideas to coin new words, make thrilling plans and to enjoy learning and making school days memorable!
“The Lemonade war” by Jacqueline Davies is another novel that explores siblings’ relationship and how rivalries should transform into love for each other. This novel is not merely a true epitome of sibling relationships, but also teaches children techniques of entrepreneurship and the ways to think critically to overcome daily life challenges.
Plan Visits to Places
Besides reading, you can visit famous ancient places, historical buildings, monuments and your ancestral farmlands. You can do camping, skiing and skating in snow-covered areas. You can do trekking in the hills or participate in games. Also you can enjoy food outdoors with the family.
With the new year, you must be a transformed person, a new you. Happy New Year!
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