I have written about Lent a couple of times in the past, and every year, I feel encouraged by giving up something that I feel is either bad for me or distracts me from my purpose in life. In the past, I have given up simple things like Diet Coke and chocolate, while last year I gave up Facebook.
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I know the ashes are to remind us that we are all dust, and to dust we all shall return. It’s also a good reminder that life is precious.
I’ve heard and read of people fasting for 40 days (or however many days it is between Ash Wednesday and Good Friday). Tonight, as I sit here writing this post, I really don’t know what I’m going to give up for Lent. Maybe Facebook again. Maybe a meal once a day. Maybe something deeper, something that holds more meaning, something that I would have to consciously think about every day to make me really reflect on why I practice Lent every year.
People party hard during Mari Gras and overindulge on Fat Tuesday with the intention of doing better, of being better, starting on Ash Wednesday. Putting down a vice and spending time reflecting on how to be a better person, on how to live a better life… that’s the hard part. That’s where the work really starts.
So this year, may you take time to reflect on where you could improve, on what you could give up, and on how you could be a better member of society. And make a promise to yourself to not go back to your old ways, to not pick up what you laid down.
I recently read a good article about the fine art of giving something up on Lent. You can read it HERE. And if you’re interested, you can read my previous posts on Lent HERE, HERE, and HERE.
Yours Truly,
Vanessa
