Once again, a New Year is almost upon us, a time to look back and reflect on what we’ve accomplished during the last 365 days, and to consider how we might do better in the coming months. For many, it’s also a time to make resolutions about specific things we’d like to change.
One of my personal heroes, Benjamin Franklin, once said, “Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man.”
To me, that seems as good a New Year’s resolution as any. If, during the coming weeks and months, you find yourself falling back on old habits and losing sight of your goals, remember that, as special as a New Year may be, each day also brings us a new start. With every sunrise – every breath – we have the ability to decide what kind of person we want to be. If you occasionally lose your footing, there’s no need to despair or feel like a failure. You don’t have to wait for one special day each year to dust yourself off and try again. Each day can be the start of a new year, a new life …
Happy New Year from your friends at the Farmers’ Almanac. May it be a good one for you and yours!
Peter Geiger is the Editor of the Farmers' Almanac. 
If you notice a hole in the upper left-hand corner of your Farmers' Almanac, don't return it to the store! That hole isn't a defect; it's a part of history. Starting with the first edition of the Farmers' Almanac in 1818, readers used to nail holes into the corners to hang it up in their homes, barns, and outhouses (to provide both reading material and toilet paper). In 1910, the Almanac's publishers began pre-drilling holes in the corners to make it even easier for readers to keep all of that invaluable information (and paper) handy.
3 comments
Very nice post, I agree fully!
MAy you all have a safe and happy New Year.
Well said.
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