1-02-2024 2:20pm

Happy New Year 2024

Christine Larkin Editor

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SKYLARK'S ARTICLE OF THE WEEK - HAPPY NEW YEAR 2024

Happy New Year! We made it to 2024. How fabulous. I love the beginning of a new year. It's a chance to start fresh. Out with the old, and in with the new.

How about you? What are your plans for the new year? I'm not one to make resolutions, but I did commit to embracing whatever comes my way this year. I don't want to waste time on resisting things or complaining too much. I want to be more grateful. 2023 was a pretty good year overall, so I'm thankful for a new year to begin again.

The New Year celebration has a long and fascinating history. The earliest recorded New Year's celebrations date back to more than 4,000 years to ancient Babylon. In those times, the New Year started with the primary new moon after the spring equinox. But, the decision of January 1 as the start of the year has its roots in the Roman schedule.

In addition to the new year, Atiku celebrated the mythical victory of the Babylonian sky god Marduk over the evil sea goddess Tiamat and served an important political purpose: It was during this time that a new king was crowned or that the current ruler’s divine mandate was symbolically renewed.

Throughout antiquity, civilizations around the world developed increasingly sophisticated calendars, typically pinning the first day of the year to an agricultural or astronomical event. In Egypt, for instance, the year began with the annual flooding of the Nile, which coincided with the rising of the star Sirius. The first day of the Lunar New Year, meanwhile, occurred with the second new moon after the winter solstice.

The early Roman calendar consisted of 10 months and 304 days, with each new year beginning at the vernal equinox; according to tradition, it was created by Romulus, the founder of Rome, in the eighth century B.C. A later king, Numa Pompilius, is credited with adding the months of Januarius and Februarius.

Over the centuries, the calendar fell out of sync with the sun, and in 46 B.C. Julius Caesar decided to solve the problem by consulting with the most prominent astronomers and mathematicians of his time. He introduced the Julian calendar, which closely resembles the more modern Gregorian calendar that most countries around the world use today.

As part of his reform, Caesar instituted January 1 as the first day of the year, partly to honor the month’s namesake: Janus, the Roman god of beginnings, whose two faces allowed him to look back into the past and forward into the future. Romans celebrated by offering sacrifices to Janus, exchanging gifts with one another, decorating their homes with laurel branches and attending raucous parties.

In medieval Europe, Christian leaders temporarily replaced January 1 as the first of the year with days carrying more religious significance, such as December 25 (the anniversary of Jesus’ birth) and March 25 (the Feast of the Annunciation); Pope Gregory XIII reestablished January 1 as New Year’s Day in 1582.

New Year's Day holds importance because of multiple factors. It denotes a new beginning, an opportunity to abandon the difficulties and wins of the previous year and embrace new chances. Many individuals consider it to be an opportunity to lay out objectives, make resolutions, and leave on positive transitions in their lives.

Socially, the customs around New Year's festivals vary around the world. A few societies have exceptional practices, such as eating particular cuisines, wearing specific colors, or participating in religious functions. In many spots, individuals accumulate with loved ones, sharing joy and making memories as they invite a fresh start.

The decision of January 1 as New Year's Day wasn't widespread all the time. Various societies and nations celebrated the beginning of the New Year at different times. The shift towards a common schedule with January 1 as the starting picked up speed in the middle ages. Eventually, it was broadly taken on, and today, most nations follow the Gregorian calendar. The Gregorian calendar, presented by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582, was intended to bring the date of the spring equinox nearer to March 21. This change is planned to precisely adjust the schedule to the astronomical year. Consequently, January 1 became commonly recognized as the beginning of the year.

In whatever way you celebrate, embrace the new year with Hope, Love, Peace, and Joy. These are four key ingredients for a happier life. Each one of them offers you the chance for change. Hope is the desire to keep going. Love is a powerful emotion with endless possibilities. Peace is what we all crave. Joy makes us feel good.

Happy New Year to you all. Let's welcome 2024 and the abundant possibilities that lie ahead. May they be filled with more Hope, Love, Peace, and Joy. Let's break bread.

Peace and Love,

Skylark

At 60 and Beyond, each new year is a blessing and a gift that we can look forward to.

SKYLARK'S PICK OF THE WEEK - DREW PATRICK SPA

If you need some tender loving care after the holidays, come to Drew Patrick Spa. This beautiful oasis in the heart of downtown Bay Shore is a respite for the mind, body, and soul. While you're there, take some time to shop is their incredible store. You'll leave feeling rejuvenated and transformed. Visit www.drewpatrickspa.com for more information. Come in and leave your cares in 2023.

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SKYLARK'S INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK

SKYLARK'S PRAYER OF THE WEEK

Dear God,

Help me to embrace everything that comes my way this year with love, faith, and grace. Amen.

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SKYLARK'S QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What is your intention for the new year?

Please write your answer in the Reply bubble below next to the heart. I'd love to hear from you. Thank you.

SKYLARK'S SONG OF THE WEEK - FAITH by GEORGE MICHAEL

LYRICS

Well, I guess it would be nice if I could touch your body
I know not everybody has got a body like you, oh
But I gotta think twice before I give my heart away
And I know all the games you play because I play them too

Oh, but I need some time off from that emotion
Time to pick my heart up off the floor
Oh, when that love comes down without devotion
Well, it takes a strong man, baby
But I'm showin' you the door'

Cause I gotta have faith
I gotta have faith
Because I got to have faith, faith,
I got to have faith, faith, faith

Baby, I know you're askin' me to stay
Say, "Please, please, please don't go away"
You say I'm givin' you the blues
Maybe, huh, you mean every word you say
Can't help but think of yesterday

And another who tied me down to loverboy rules
Before this river becomes an ocean
Before you throw my heart back on the floor
Oh, oh baby, I reconsider my foolish notion
Well, I need someone to hold me
But I'll wait for somethin' more

Yes, I gotta have faith
Ooh, I gotta have faith
Because I gotta have faith, faith, faith
I gotta have faith, faith, faith

I'll just have to wait
Because I've got to have faith
I gotta have faith
I've got to, got to, got to have faith

Before this river becomes an ocean
Before you throw my heart back on the floor (I just got to have faith)
Oh, oh baby, I reconsider my foolish notion
Well, I need someone to hold me
But I'll wait for somethin' more'

Cause I gotta have faith
Ooh, I gotta have faith
Because I gotta have faith, faith, faith
I gotta have faith, faith, faith

About Skylark and How to Follow Me

My brand, Skylark Live, consists of a weekly newsletter; Skylark Live Town News, and a monthly vlog; 60 and Beyond with Skylark. I’m still mulling around the idea of monthly in-person chats called The Skylark Sessions. This is a work in progress. They are all designed to inspire and motivate women to thrive in older age through knowledge and self-awareness at 60 and beyond. Andiamo! Let's go!

Skylark Live Town News - My weekly newsletter features articles about human interest, nature, general observations, inspiration, motivation, music, places I've been to, and ideas I want to explore. I represent Bay Shore and towns beyond. There is also a calendar of events. And, I throw in Italian words because I love the language and all things Italian. Bella Italia! As a paying subscriber, you will receive my newsletter each Wednesday morning in your email. That gives you a head's up. You can also advertise your business or event on my newsletter. Just click this link to subscribe For updates, subscribe to our free newsletter!

60 and Beyond with Skylark Vlog - This is my first Monday-of-the month vlog that is inspirational and motivational and is a reflection of what I've written about in my newsletters throughout the month and what we've talked about in my Skylark Sessions. My vlog is recorded and posted on my YouTube Channel, as well as on my Patreon account and my social media sites. Just click my Tube Channel link to subscribe:

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Thank you for your love and support. Apprezza la giornata. Cherish the day.