Janus, God of Beginnings

A uniquely Roman god, Janus was the god of beginnings and passages.

With two faces, he could always look to the future and to the past. The Romans named the month of January, the beginning of their year, after this god because it was not only a time for a new beginning, but also a time to reflect on the past year.

As I’ve looked on the past year, I feel good about what I accomplished. There is always that feeling of wishing I’d done more, but then I think of a phrase my husband often says:

“Everything has a cost.”

This coin of Janus illustrates my point. Like this coin can only be spent on one thing, you can spend time doing one thing at the expense of the thousands of other things you aren’t doing. And I had a great year! So I refuse to regret what I didn’t write. I refuse to regret what I didn’t clean or the nights we ate popcorn because I’d spent time with my kids instead of cooking. I don’t regret the time I spent with friends and family.

So here are my #WriteMotivation goals for January:

1) Write fifteen pages per week of new material.

2) Edit five hours per week.

3) Read one book per week.

4) Critique SS for my critique partner.

5) Read/crit L for my other critique partner.

Lastly, Janus held the key because he was the gateway to any passage: birth, death, travels, change, etc. This year, I hope his key unlocks some agent’s heart.

Join the Conversation

LadyJai
says:
January 13, 2014 at 1:04 pm -


Good Luck!!
1. heathercashman
  says:
  January 13, 2014 at 1:16 pm -
  
  
  Thanks! I’m sure going to try.
helenrj
says:
January 13, 2014 at 7:08 pm -


Go for it! Woot woot!
1. heathercashman
  says:
  January 13, 2014 at 9:04 pm -
  
  
  Going for it like a cat with its tail on fire. 🙂
Jessie Lambert
says:
January 14, 2014 at 9:22 am -


Great goals! *waves pom poms* You got this!
1. heathercashman
  says:
  January 14, 2014 at 9:57 am -
  
  
  One can always dream!
K.T. Hanna (@KTHanna)
says:
January 14, 2014 at 10:28 pm -


You know I’m proud of you, and I’m there with you all the way. Thank you for looking L over for me too. Much love – keep it up. I’ll be starting TPR this weekend <3
1. heathercashman
  says:
  January 15, 2014 at 7:31 am -
  
  
  Awww. Thanks! My CP is proud of me, which makes me feel like I have potential. XOXO
Jordana Cashman
says:
January 15, 2014 at 12:56 pm -


Lovely lovely. I hope the new year will shake things up sufficiently that you can accomplish all your goals. XOXO
1. heathercashman
  says:
  January 16, 2014 at 8:50 am -
  
  
  You are lovely, too! I am sufficiently shaken. XOXO
valerierlawson
says:
January 26, 2014 at 8:00 am -


love your goals – very specific and achievable. great analogy for letting go of worries of what wasn’t accomplished and focusing on what’s ahead. good luck with your goals!

Janus, God of Beginnings