Another year starts. I hope we have all returned refreshed.
January, as the first month of the year, is named after the Roman god Janus. He was often depicted with two faces, looking both forward in time and into the past. He is said to represent progress and transition. Our habit of New Year’s resolutions reflects that tradition. Of course, being February — and not being divine — our good intentions may be fading by now.
Being based in Wellington, I am able to rejoice in the fact that February is upon us. In the capital, that is summer — the brief interregnum between extended spring and long autumn. Sadly, sea swimming is off the agenda until Moa Point is fixed, but at least you can go through the motions.
But I digress.
In addition to overseeing the pious fictions of our New Year’s hopes for change, Janus promoted civil and social order. He was credited with lifting humanity from being bestial and savage. The two faces represented positive change, bringing people’s lives to a better condition. There is optimism in what Janus represents.
That is a good way to start a year: refreshed and optimistic. Let us hope it lasts, surviving the grind. As a way of helping to ensure that, I unapologetically return to a theme of JANZ: let us look after our own welfare, but equally the welfare of our colleagues.
Promoting civil and social order and bringing about change is hard work for a god; damn near impossible for us mere mortals. But let us give it a good run this year, with support from each other.
Noel Sainsbury
President