Monday, January 1, 2018

For Luck in the New Year


Greens to put money in your pocket and hog jowl and black-eyed peas for luck . . .

Like walking in the first snow, getting wet in the first rain of May, knocking on wood, or throwing a pinch of spilled salt over my left shoulder -- I don't really believe in these things  -- but I do them anyway, honoring the past and the beliefs of my forebears. I like that kind of continuity, I suppose.

But there are a number of beliefs and traditions, customs and habits we inherited from our forebears that are not nearly so harmless.  I needn't attempt a list -- just anything that makes a person feel that their personal beliefs trump anyone else's -- I'd like to see these hangovers of a less enlightened past discontinued and obliterated.

Here's to 2018 -- May it be a better year for this poor broken world...

5 comments:

jennyfreckles said...

Not many such traditions here that I'm aware of, though I have a few of my own.... Fresh bedding on New Year's Day, love the scent of fresh linen. I suppose I'm literally starting the year with a clean sheet!

Anvilcloud said...

A nice tradition and also a good thought. HNY2U.

Barbara Rogers said...

Happy 2018...changes are coming, it's inevitable!

Thérèse said...

I love traditions but it seems that I am having a harder time to celebrate when I think at what is happening in the world and closer home...
I wish you and your family health and happiness for 2018 and a life full of colors.

Jime said...

Happy Happy New Year. I'm an atheist. Well that being said I love to wish everybody a Merry Christmas! Simple reason is I don't believe in all the hocus pocus, but I do believe that maybe a kind and gentle man may have existed that took care of the sick and poor. A simple fisherman and carpenter that did good in this world is worth celebrating. Very little to celebrate in these times.