It's Ash Wednesday and I'm Christian, sooo
Feb. 6th, 2008 11:12 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
threadwalkerI've got all the baggage and scars from being raised by an East Coast Irish Catholic mom who was not tempered by her West Coast Catholic husband. So all the fire and brimstone and none of the hand-holding happy-sing-song stuff.
The current thought bugging me in the back of my brain: What should I give up for Lent?
Years and years ago my parish priest commented on how people give up chocolate or other indulgences for Lent, but don't really give up something that forces them to experience hardship or empathy for others. They end up doing something that's actually good for them and even though they might experience some discomfort, they don't really "lose" anything or have to struggle with anything besides temporary discomfort. This hit home with me. So each year I search for something to give up that will change something about me or give me greater empathy for those who have less than I do.
It's not easy because I'm trying to avoid the trap of using this as a vehicle to improve my health (like giving up chocolate).
KLWilliams already had the best (IMO); she's giving up eating worms. I think that's a LOT harder than it sounds and I know I'd have to spend some time everyday on this - you can't be lazy when you give up worms. (My kudos to her).
One year I gave up cattiness. It's a long story and it started out as a joke, but it changed my life. And, according to some, made me a lot less fun to gossip with.
So I'm pondering. I'm pondering things like using only public transportation for work. But I already do that 3-4 times a week and giving up my car entirely would be unpractical.
I thought of not eating out during Lent. But eating out is not a lifestyle of mine and I pretty much gave it up anyway.
What to give up? I've already given up shopping (clothes, books, fabric). I've trimmed eating at restaurants down to almost nill. I don't watch TV anymore. I hardly play computer games anymore. Giving up fitness is NOT on the table. I've altered my diet and cut out most sweets, salts, deep-fried stuff, and alcohol. I already cut soda down to one-a-day. I cook from my own pantry most of the time and have trimmed grocery shopping down to bare essentials. Giving up protein is also NOT on the table - protein builds muscle and I have issues carbs. I invest most of my "free" time in the kids, in the house, and in fitness, so it's not like I can quit doing any of that in my free time.
Have I painted myself into a corner? Maybe I should give up being frugal? heh. Or give up being a hermit? wait! I'm working on that. heh. Anyway... I'm stumped and still pondering. Maybe I need to consult the 7 deadly sins.... although I won't give up bathing for the sake of vanity. Bathing is a public service activity. Maybe I should just do the fasting thing on Fridays... Although I've never done it before, so I'll have to see what the rules are for staying hydrated.
Any ideas out there? What are others giving up?
The current thought bugging me in the back of my brain: What should I give up for Lent?
Years and years ago my parish priest commented on how people give up chocolate or other indulgences for Lent, but don't really give up something that forces them to experience hardship or empathy for others. They end up doing something that's actually good for them and even though they might experience some discomfort, they don't really "lose" anything or have to struggle with anything besides temporary discomfort. This hit home with me. So each year I search for something to give up that will change something about me or give me greater empathy for those who have less than I do.
It's not easy because I'm trying to avoid the trap of using this as a vehicle to improve my health (like giving up chocolate).
KLWilliams already had the best (IMO); she's giving up eating worms. I think that's a LOT harder than it sounds and I know I'd have to spend some time everyday on this - you can't be lazy when you give up worms. (My kudos to her).
One year I gave up cattiness. It's a long story and it started out as a joke, but it changed my life. And, according to some, made me a lot less fun to gossip with.
So I'm pondering. I'm pondering things like using only public transportation for work. But I already do that 3-4 times a week and giving up my car entirely would be unpractical.
I thought of not eating out during Lent. But eating out is not a lifestyle of mine and I pretty much gave it up anyway.
What to give up? I've already given up shopping (clothes, books, fabric). I've trimmed eating at restaurants down to almost nill. I don't watch TV anymore. I hardly play computer games anymore. Giving up fitness is NOT on the table. I've altered my diet and cut out most sweets, salts, deep-fried stuff, and alcohol. I already cut soda down to one-a-day. I cook from my own pantry most of the time and have trimmed grocery shopping down to bare essentials. Giving up protein is also NOT on the table - protein builds muscle and I have issues carbs. I invest most of my "free" time in the kids, in the house, and in fitness, so it's not like I can quit doing any of that in my free time.
Have I painted myself into a corner? Maybe I should give up being frugal? heh. Or give up being a hermit? wait! I'm working on that. heh. Anyway... I'm stumped and still pondering. Maybe I need to consult the 7 deadly sins.... although I won't give up bathing for the sake of vanity. Bathing is a public service activity. Maybe I should just do the fasting thing on Fridays... Although I've never done it before, so I'll have to see what the rules are for staying hydrated.
Any ideas out there? What are others giving up?
