Lincoln
County
COVID-19
Cases Update
New Years Resolution
By Karen Morrissette
Did you make any New Year’s resolutions this year? Have you kept them thus far? It’s a common tradition in the U.S., as well as many other countries, but only about 25-50% do it. Multiple studies show that while roughly half of those who make resolutions are confident they will be successful – the others apparently aren’t so sure – on average only about 10% were successful by the end of the year. The percentage who are successful tends to drop over time with approximately 70% sticking to it at 2 weeks and 45% at 6 months.
For 2022, the most commonly reported resolutions were exercise more, eat healthier, lose weight, save more money, be more organized, and spend more time with family/friends. A 2014 survey asked participants why they thought they failed to keep their resolutions. Having unrealistic goals, not tracking progress, forgetting about the resolution, and making too many resolutions were the most common reasons given.
Historically, the first recorded resolutions were made by the Babylonians around 4000 years ago, although their year began in March around the time that they planted their crops. They pledged allegiance to the reigning monarch and resolved to accomplish certain tasks, such as repaying old debts in the coming year. The Romans continued these traditions, although they started celebrating the new year in January. This month is actually named for the two-faced god Janus who could look both back into the previous year while also seeing into the year ahead. Medieval knights pledged anew their loyalty to their lord and reaffirmed their vows of chivalry for the new year.
In 1582, the Gregorian calendar was developed to correct miscalculations associated with the Roman Julian calendar and it set the new year at January 1, where it remains to this day. While earlier resolutions tended to be more societal or religious, contemporary resolutions tend to be more secular, a sign of a new beginning and a fresh start. There are many opinions about how to do New Year’s resolutions, ranging from keep it simple with a clearly measurable goal, set time-limited steps for each goal, avoid negatively wording resolutions (e.g. stopping or quitting something) and stick to positive behaviors, and set time aside each month to reflect on your goals. Some even recommend a different approach – writing down your regrets or struggles from the past year and throwing them into the fire to relieve yourself of guilt and set a more positive tone for the coming year.
A Letter from: Logger Alumni, Annie
Berget, Class of 2017,
is running for
Miss Montana
I am running for Miss Montana USA again! I am beyond excited! To pursue this dream, I am humbly asking for your support. This opportunity allows me a platform to advocate for a cause that is near and dear to me – increasing awareness and assistance to families in need.
I am proud to say that the Miss USA Organization has changed its requirements to allow women who have had kids, and women who have been divorced to compete in the Miss Division. They are one of the only major pageant systems to make this change.
I am a born and raised Montanan, and have volunteered with many different nonprofit organizations, and partaken in many various community events. I feel I can fairly represent the causes and issues that our state faces, and advocate these on a national platform if given the opportunity. It is my turn to give back to the many individuals and organizations that have helped me get to where I am today.
The pursuit of this dream is costly. Expenses include competition, travel, room and board, hair, makeup, coaching, and attire. There are many different advertisement opportunities through this pageant system and many different ways to contribute. Monetary contributions would be greatly appreciated but so will any words of encouragement, kind thoughts, and prayers.
I have attached a GoFundMe to this post and can provide information to any businesses interested in the various advertisement opportunities. Thank you all for your support as I pursue this dream.
Humbly yours,
Annie Berget
Courtesy of Annie’s GoFund Me Page.