You At Your Best

14 | YOU AT YOUR BEST | NWADG.COM/YOUATYOURBEST JANUARY - NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2017 SPECIAL TO NWA DEMOCRAT-GA- ZETTE Steven Kempson, M.D., grew up in a small town in East Arkansas called Bald Knob, where visits with his local doctor inspired him to become one himself. "We were a one doctor little town," he says. "I thought he could do anything." Dr. Kempson says he's wanted to be a doctor for as long as he can remember. Now a family medicine physician, Dr. Kempson recently joined the active medical staff of Northwest Health, practicing at Northwest Family Care – Westside. Dr. Kempson decided to focus on family medicine because it allows him to see a wide range of ages and see many different situations and ailments. "I like the relationship aspect of that," he says. Dr. Kempson believes it is important for him as a doctor to sit with his patients and listen to them, so he can help them reach their healthcare goals. He thinks it is important to take the necessary time with each person. Dr. Kempson has spent the past year of his career in an urgent care setting. This experience reminded him that he likes the relationship building aspect that he gets to see as a primary care doctor. He likes to largely focus on preventative care, such as cholesterol levels, cancer screenings, mammograms and other preventative exams. The most fulfilling part of his job is watching a patient's quality of life improve. He likes being able to find a solution to a patient's problem, treat them and see them get better. Dr. Kempson has three daughters. One is a teacher in Texas, another is a student at the University of Arkansas and the other is a recent graduate of the university. "I'm a sports nut," he says. He added that he is a big Razorbacks fan and loves all sports. Dr. Kempson received his medical education at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock. He then completed a family medicine internship and residency at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences – AHEC Southwest in Texarkana. Dr. Kempson sees patients ages two years old and older. He also offers same day appointments and walk-in visits. His practice is located at 3875 W. Sunset Ave. in Springdale, and he is currently accepting new patients. For more information or to make an appointment with Dr. Kempson, call 479-751-9236 or visit www.nw-physicians.com. Exploring the origins of New Year's resolutions METRO CREATIVE SERVICES For millenia, people around the world have commemorated the arrival of a new calendar year by adhering to various traditions. Once such tradition is making resolutions for the year ahead. Resolutions are promises to oneself geared around personal fulfillment and betterment. Resolutions are widely practiced, but some people may not understand the origins of New Year's resolutions and why they have become the norm. Some historians tie the practice of making resolutions to the ancient Babylonians. More than 4,000 years ago, the Babylonians celebrated the New Year in March rather than January. The spring harvest was in March, and a festival called Akitu, which lasted 12 days, was celebrated. An important part of the festival was the crowning of a new king. Special rituals also affirmed a connection to the gods. The Babylonians made promises to the gods, which included vows to return borrowed objects and pay outstanding debts. Resolutions can also be traced to ancient Rome. The Romans were instrumental in creating a more formal calendar, and the start of the new year was moved from March to January (January and February were added to the Roman calendar under the rule of Numa Pompilius). Julius Caesar wanted to honor January's namesake, Janus, the Roman god of beginnings. Janus' two faces enabled him to look back into the past and forward into the future. Sacrifices to Janus were made, and worshipers exchanged gifts with one another. A custom of setting resolutions began during this period as well, with Romans promising to be good to one another. Eventually, these resolutions were funneled into prayers and fasting when Christianity was adopted by the Roman Empire. Other religious parallels include the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, which is a day of atonement and reflection as celebrants examine their wrongdoings and seek forgiveness and to behave better moving forward. Yom Kippur follows Rosh Hashanah, Judaism's own new year. Resolutions also may be loosely tied to Medieval times. During this time, knights took a "peacock vow" at the end of the Christmas season. Each year, these knights would reaffirm their commitment to chivalry. Today New Year's resolutions are largely a secular tradition, but they're still connected to a desire to be a good person and put one's best self forward. From small town kid to Northwest Arkansas doctor

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