Apparently, it is all the Babylonian’s fault that we make new year’s resolutions. Four thousand years ago, they celebrated the new year in March when the length of the day and the night were equal. They either crowned a new king at this time or rejuvenated the old one for another year. They made promises to return the things they’d borrowed over the year, and to repay their debts. And then Caesar came along and decreed that January 1st would be the start of the new year, in honor of the Roman god, Janus, the god of new beginnings.

There were some changes to the date of the new year (once it was Christmas and once March 25th), but in 1582, Pope Gregory XIII made the executive decision that the new year should begin on January 1st-and here we are. They started dropping the ball in Times Square in 1907, and although I haven’t often made it to mountain time midnight, I generally catch the live dropping of the ball in Times Square on TV.

And so, I look to the new year with new beginnings in mind. I know that one resolution I plan to make is to focus more on the positive in the world and try not to get so caught up in the negativity and judgement that we are so good at. A while back, I found my gratitude/blessings journal and got it out. So, it’s out. Now, I need to fill it, but small steps. Before, if I didn’t write at least five things each day, I deemed it a failure. This time, I’ll just keep it out where I work and have the gentle reminder to not only notice blessings, but to write them down. Today’s photos are some of those noticed blessings.