When it comes down to it, to me nothing seems really different between December 1, 2009 and January 1, 2010 other than name. Why is it then, that so many people think it is a remarkable opportunity to change? Any day is as good as any other to make a resolution, and I don't know many people that follow through with their New Year's Resolution any way. Why do people wait for a New Year to change, when really a New Year is just a symbol we use to measure time? I was arguing with someone about this, and they told me it had some sort of symbolic value, but I just didn't get it. What am I missing?
-Colin
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I think the value that the new year possesses is only as much as we give it. Like all holidays, New Year's Day is really just a meaningless symbol that is entirely dependent upon how we view it. And since people love tradition and generally tend to go along with others, holidays like New Year's Day gain widespread significance and become an important part of our lives.
ReplyDelete-Bryce C.
The symbolic value of New Year's essentially makes up its whole purpose. The idea is that one has the option to start over with a blank slate, and that symbolism fits in perfectly with the idea of marking the passage of time. In fact, the function of marking years holds basically the same meaning. Society is looking for a way to start fresh. While in reality the holiday is fairly useless, it's symbolic value weighs heavily with many.
ReplyDelete-Tara
I agree with what's been said on all accounts but one. I think there is a use to the holiday. The fact that it marks the New Year is fairly important. Can you imagine if we just kept numbering the days on and on? Things would probably get chaotic to say the very least.I think feeling different because its a New Year will vary from person to person and form situation from situation. I know some years I'm excited and some years I could care less.
ReplyDeleteOops, that comments was from Melissa
ReplyDeleteNew Year's Day marks an ending and a beginning. While these may literally be for the passage of time, they also take on a symbolic value. The end of the old you and the beginning of the new-and-improved you. As the year ends, you leave a bad habit in the past with it. There is nothing that makes this particular day special, except because we attach this value and this meaning to it.
ReplyDelete~Becca