Many ways of celebrating New Year

It is a very common practice among us Filipinos to ask one another when the New Year comes around to find out what our New Year resolution is.

Although this is a practice that started in the Western Hemisphere, it has also become part of our own tradition for so long, it has even had many Filipinos preparing a year ahead by working on these resolutions.

There is that popular practice of serving different kinds of food daily, and wearing uniform clothes in red. We have a friend who goes around asking everyone she knows what their resolution is, listing them down to find out what is the most popular.                    

 This practice goes as far back in time to the 20th Century where we found in posters the following resolutions: Self-seeking, cultivating cheerful magnanimity, charity and the habit of holy silence, etc.

• How do others prepare for the New Year in the Philippines? This is easy. Being a Filipino, we would seek out places we have yet to visit. We will get drawn to fireworks that are part of the New Year celebration.

• There will be 13 round fruits to bring luck. Wearing a polka dot dress and preparing the various kinds of foods, going to church to attend the New Year’s Eve Mass. Then, all will go home together with the entire family in celebration of medya noche.

• The Babilonians make promises to their Gods to return what they had borrowed. The Romans begin each year by also making promises to their God Janus. Knights at the end of the Christmas season re-affirm their commitment to chivalry.           

• What are the more popular goals during the New Year? One says he will donate to the poor more often and be more environment-friendly. Another’s goal is to improve his physical well-being by eating healthy food, losing weight, exercising more often, drinking less alcohol and quitting smoking.

• What to do to improve mental well-being? Think positive and laugh more often. To improve finances? Perform better at the present job, look for a better job, save to put up       own business, look for partners who may help improve their take.

To improve one’s education? Get better grades in school to learn something new all the time, study more often, read more books, make it a habit to watch important plays. At the    same time, do not fail to watch TV not only for your star but also for the lessons learned from teleseryes, and horror films and musicals. Many are based on real-life happenings.              

To improve one’s self? Be more organized, reduce stress by seeing friends more often, play some games with friends like home mahjong and a puzzle game. Another popular goal is volunteering to make new friends, spending more time with family, and listening to others more, whether it be to their problems or successes.

Finally, don’t forget an important saying: One listener will always be appreciated.

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