New Year’s “Revolutions”
by Cate Murway
A revolution (from the Latin revolutio, "a turn around")
is a fundamental change in power
or organizational structures that takes place
in a relatively short period of time.
The celebration of the New Year is
the oldest of all holidays, first observed in ancient Babylon
about 4000 years ago.
In the years around 2000 BC, the Babylonian New Year
began with the first New Moon,
actually the first visible crescent after the Vernal Equinox [first day of spring].
New Year's is the only holiday that celebrates the passage of time, perhaps the reason we had become introspective with a tradition to make New Year’s Resolutions.
That tradition also dates back to the early Babylonians, the most popular resolution was to return borrowed farm equipment.
Unfortunately most people still don’t keep them.
“A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other.”
Author Unknown
Perchance our resolutions are a tad “too lofty” and too difficult to maintain.
“My tormentor is myself left over from yesterday.”
Deepak Chopra, public speaker, and writer
Starting anew is an enabling thing to do!
Let’s approach this annual "new beginning” and treat it as exactly that, a new beginning. In the place of resolutions to be met, the New Year could just be a chance to wipe your slate clean or just get a new, fresh “made in America” slate upon which to write your hopes and dreams and desires for 2011.
What do you want to do in 2011?
New vision, action and grace will bring a smile to your face.
“ I will make 2011 a better year by trying to smile at every person I can make eye contact with! Smiling is contagious...pass it on!”
Susan Corleto, proprietor of Sweet Mustard Seed on Mill Street
“Treat People with better kindness and respect. Not to accept things the way they are, but try my best to improve them to the best of my God given ability."
Gary A. Tosti, BHS ’68, “Garyoke”
“I will keep asking the customers questions and get bigger selections for them.”
Harpal “Paul” Singh, Bristol MiniMart on Mill Street
Community common sense can create community common DOLLARS.
“I’m going to do my best to revolt against buying items made in China!”
John Ruszin, BHS ‘67
Hope is a renewable resource.
“I want to get a perfect 4.0 and make sure my future is set. I major in Physics and Chemistry and I want to be an astrophysicist [astronomer]. “
Amethyst Jade Lyons, BHS ‘10/Mary Baldwin College, PT New Villagio Pizza
“Try to keep healthy, so I may be able to continue to be active on behalf of the people I care about; the organizations I am actively involved in; and to work for peace. And, of course to continue to my very valuable friendships with folks from every walk of life.”
Alan J. Vogenberg RPh, FASCP/ Margaret R. Grundy Museum docent
“I want to finish my movie script, partner with 50 people to achieve their goals, and to feel safe again.”
Joanne Cipressi, proprietor of "Tigerlily" on Radcliffe Street
“As for 2011, I think it's important to maintain a healthy balance between work, relaxation, exercise, and taking time for the people we love. There also needs to be a place for service to the community. In these difficult times we need to consider being more generous with our time or resources to help those in need. There are people in town doing good things to help the needy, and they deserve our support.”
William Michael [Bill] Pezza, BHS ’65, author Anna’s Boys and Stealing Tomatoes
“At Always Best Care Seniors Services we will be enriching the lives of as many seniors as we can touch. We are trying to employ as many people from the area as we can who would like to be caretakers. We are looking for only the best of the best to work with our seniors.” Tony Belardino, Operations Manager
“My New Year’s resolution is to have a profitable year with Always Best Care”.
Bryant M. Greene, Owner
“In light of my husband, [Joseph John “Buddy” Gottsabend, BHS ‘76] passing in 2010, the greatest gift/resolution I can give myself and my children is to be healthier, to eat healthier and to exercise regularly.”
Annette [Capriotti] Gottsabend, Jones Apparel Group pattern maker
Use your time wisely.
“The days come and go, but they say nothing, and if we do not use the gifts they bring, they carry them as silently away.” Ralph Waldo Emerson [1803 -1882]
Identify realistic expectations.
“I want to exercise a writer’s prerogative, and call this list my reaffirmations rather than resolutions to emphasize that the three points that follow are beliefs, values and actions that I have had in the past and want to continue.
1 – Working productively for the benefit of my family so as to provide security and comfort for us, now and in the future. I hope my efforts will further my personal values and be a credit to my community.
2 – Exercising what is sometimes called ‘critical thinking’ to try to understand the questions that our ever more quickly changing society and world is offering / forcing on us.
3 – Buy American whenever reasonably possible.
American products mean American jobs!”
Frederic H. Baumgarten, Grundy Commons, President
“Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. It comes into us at midnight very clean. It’s perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we’ve learned something from yesterday.”
John Wayne [born Marion Robert Morrison; 1907 – 1979]
Formulate a plan, clear steps that can be put into action.
Fear less- hope more.
Eat less- chew more.
Whine less- breathe more.
Talk less- say more.
Hate less- live more.
May all good things be yours!
“One resolution I have made, and try always to keep, is this: To rise above the little things.”
John Burroughs, American naturalist and essayist [1837 –1921]
Proceed with passion.
Claim 2011 as your year to shine.
French: Bonne Annee
Hebrew: L'Shannah Tovah Tikatevu
Italian: Buon Capodanno
Spanish: Feliz Ano Neuvo or Prospero Ano Nuevo
Recommend a “Spotlight”. E-mail vjmrun@yahoo.com
additions:
"MY RESOLUTION: TO TRY MY BEST TO ADVANCE THE INITIATIVES OF OUR SISTER-CITY RELATIONSHIP WITH SPINETOLI, ITALY." Vincent A. Virgulti
"From a business standpoint I will strive to make 2011 better by:
1. Trying to Prohibit Mandatory Mail Order on a state level. Anyone who is affected by this should call their Senator and or Representative to help give patients back their right to choose where they want to obtain their prescription medications.
2. Start an immunization center for all patients 18 years and older. Patients will be able to get immunized in the pharmacy. I am certified and Medicare approved to administer immunizations, such as influenza, pneumonia, shingles, etc. to adults.
3. Continue to give the best customer service possible.
4. Give back to the community: sponsor teams, donations, etc."
David B. Cunningham, R.Ph., President Mill Street Pharmacy
