The Times hit the streets recently and asked people in the area if they had any new year’s resolutions or what they were hoping for in the new year. Surprisingly, many that we spoke to did not have a resolution in mind and had to come up with a resolution on the spot, after much consideration. A few, however, had resolutions in mind already.
Barbara Harrison (Henry County): “I want to spend more time with my grandchildren. They are 7, 8 and 11.” 
Barbara Fitterer-Zitz (Henry County): “I haven’t even thought of one … I guess to handle stress better.” Patrick Fitterer-Zitz (Henry County): “To study more.” 
Josephine Kimani (Henry County): “My 2020 vision is to remember what is important, family and community, and to remove what is hindering me.” 
Scott Paul (Dekalb): “I’m going to endeavor to be more positive in 2020, to have a more positive outlook on life.” 
Otis Reliford (Kansas City, Missouri): “My 2020 resolution is to sell 1 million books.” 
Abby Partain (Henry County): “I want to be more positive, healthy, happy, to be uplifting and to share the gospel more.” Thomas Cohen: “I want 2020 to be a year of health and fitness and accelerating in my career while also putting my family above myself.” 
Kat Nealy (right) (Henry County): “I think my New Year’s resolution is to push myself with my art and not put something out there if I am not 100% proud of it.” Grace Nealy (left): “To plan ahead better.”
For those of you that do not have resolutions set in stone yet or would like to add some resolutions to your list, many websites abound with resolution ideas for 2020.
According to Statistica, some of the top resolutions for 2020 are to manage finances better, eat healthier, be more active, lose weight, improve mental well-being, improve social connections, learn a new skill and be more eco-friendly.
The practice of making resolutions has always been a popular venture, lasting for over 4,000 years.
According to History.com, the practice of making new year’s resolutions began with the ancient Babylonians. They were one of the first groups to hold celebrations for their new year which, at that time, began in March. During their celebrations, individuals would promise their gods to repay debts and return borrowed items. The promises they made to their gods are thought to be the influence of our current practice of making resolutions each year as – if they adhered to their promises – their gods would look upon them fondly in the upcoming year. If they did not keep their promises, their gods would not be so kind.
The practice of making new year’s resolutions has grown and spread over time, evolving to different locations and ethnic groups.
During this day and age, however, new year’s resolutions are generally made for oneself and one’s self-improvement, and individuals have the added advantage of determining if and when they complete the resolutions they made for the upcoming year.
While walking through McDonough Ga. town square with my wife and two grandsons I was approached by Henry county Times reporter Erin Lopez for my new year resolution for 2020 .. I’m visiting here for the holidays and I love this small city ,possibly thinking about even moving … we walked around the area and stop to visit the museum and the whole staff there were friendly during our tour !!!!