Another year has started and the adverts are on the television again for weight loss programs and vacation packages.

In Scotland we celebrate Hogmanay, which is just before the bells ring in the new year. As families prepared for the festivities, usually by having a meal of steak pie and potatoes (yes, it was either eaten before or after the bells), it was customary to have a ‘first foot’ just after the bells chimed. This was either a neighbour or a friend of the family who knocked on the door carrying a lump of coal, or a piece of shortbread and of course a half bottle of whisky.

This all depended in which part of Scotland you lived. There are variations of the above traditions. It was considered very lucky if your first foot was a tall, dark handsome man. I was the first foot a few times, I suppose I met one out of four of the criteria required!

So now we come to our New Year Resolutions.

The origins of New Year Resolutions? According to wikipedia…..

The ancient Babylonians made promises to their gods at the start of each year that they would return borrowed objects and pay their debts. The Romans began each year by making promises to the god Janus, for whom the month of January is named. In the Medieval era, the knights took the “peacock vow” at the end of the Christmas season each year to re-affirm their commitment to chivalry. At watchnight services, many Christians prepare for the year ahead by praying and making these resolutions. – Read the full Wikipedia article by clicking HERE

As you would expect, there are computer programs and smartphone applications that help you stay with your New Year Resolutions. Here’s an interesting one that you should take a look at…

Amazon And Microsoft Engineers Launch 21habit To Help You Track Your New Year’s Resolutions

I have 2 New Year Resolutions: 1. To lose weight (I know, we ALL say that), and 2. to publish each monthly edition of ScotchPotch Magazine on time.

I can be forgiven for the January edition of SPM being late, I’ve launched a forum and of course there was the little matter of Hogmanay.

Let’s hope we all have a happy and prosperous New Year.