What are you doing for Lent?

Simky906 · March 2014

For those that observe Lent, what will you be doing? I think I've decided to give up sodas (as a Diet Coke and Izze addict this will take some hard work!) and read a (short) devotional each night. How about you?

thisismynickname2 · March 2014

Reality TV. This is my last night of Dance Moms for awhile and I have a bottle of wine to keep me company.

pinkshorts27 · March 2014

I'm not Catholic but went to Catholic school, do I always celebrate lent with my Catholic friends to support them. I'm giving up sugary drinks and fast food (except subway) and we are doing extra bible study (since I've been bad about that) and focusing on being healthier in mind and body.

pumpkinsandturkeys · March 2014

I'm not just giving up one thing.

I was discussing it with a friend the other day who said that he dislikes Lent because people give up one little thing and think that's enough, and should instead be focused on practising moderation and discipline every day of the year.

I see his point, and I think that it does detract from the overall purpose of Lent. I don't begrudge anyone giving up a small vice in their life during Lent (that's what I've done most years, and failed a lot of times) -- I just want it to mean more to me this year.

I'm using Lent as a jumping-off point to better myself -- practising healthier eating habits as a whole; exercising regularly; stimulating my mind daily; and exemplifying my faith more than I have in the past little while. I could start doing this any day of the year; however, I feel that Lent is a good 'excuse' (for lack of a better word) to start making the change now, as I'm more likely to hold myself accountable during Lent than any other time of the year.

thisismynickname2 · March 2014

pumpkinsandturkeys said:
I'm not just giving up one thing.

I was discussing it with a friend the other day who said that he dislikes Lent because people give up one little thing and think that's enough, and should instead be focused on practising moderation and discipline every day of the year.

I see his point, and I think that it does detract from the overall purpose of Lent. I don't begrudge anyone giving up a small vice in their life during Lent (that's what I've done most years, and failed a lot of times) -- I just want it to mean more to me this year.

I'm using Lent as a jumping-off point to better myself -- practising healthier eating habits as a whole; exercising regularly; stimulating my mind daily; and exemplifying my faith more than I have in the past little while. I could start doing this any day of the year; however, I feel that Lent is a good 'excuse' (for lack of a better word) to start making the change now, as I'm more likely to hold myself accountable during Lent than any other time of the year.

I think this is a Good Thing. Every New Year's resolution is often an epic fail, but if you go in thinking you have to stick to something for "only" 40 days, you probably will. And if it's something you'd ideally want to permanently change, then you prove it's not as hard to change as perhaps thought before.

blabla89 · March 2014

I'm giving up social media (except maybe TK) because it eats up so much time that I should be spending on other things. Honestly I do catch myself focusing on all the things I don't have when I look at other people's posts. So I think it will be good to take a break, and then I'll be back (in moderation) after Lent.

lyndausvi · March 2014

I was raised Catholic, but am not practicing.

Every Lent for as long as I can remember I give up chocolate milk (also include chocolate milkshakes/ice cream and hot chocolate as they are - IMO- the cold and hot versions of chocolate milk). I use to give up chicken fingers and coke, but I don't eat/drink those too much any more for it to be a sacrifice. I drink chocolate milk EVERY.SINGLE. MORNING.

Thank you for this thread. I knew today was Fat Tuesday, but somehow forgot tomorrow is Ash Wednesday. I guess I better drink up some of the milk in the fridge.

chibiyui · March 2014

You know, one day I'm actually going to get to Maple doughnuts and get a fastnacht on Fastnacht day.

I don't know if I'm going to give up anything this year. I'll probably give up soda again. I fell off the wagon about a month ago, and yesterday I had like, 3 8oz mountain dews.

Also not Catholic. Grew up Methodist.

Simky906 · March 2014

@pumpkinsandturkeys I think that you raise a very good point regarding Lent and I think the way that you are approaching it is really great. I started working on the healthy eating habits and working out part a little over a month ago so I'm also using Lent as a jumping off point to rid myself of the hardest unhealthy habit- drinking sodas- and to do a better job of being in touch with my faith. And I'm not Catholic- Presbyterian actually- but the church that I grew up in really emphasized this practice so I've always kept it up.

Vivandiere8 · March 2014

thisismynickname said:

Reality TV. This is my last night of Dance Moms for awhile and I have a bottle of wine to keep me company.

I was thinking of doing this one too! It's a very, very hard one to give up!

clueclaw.defunct635777689035314155 · March 2014

I am giving up spending so much time on the internet. I might give myself one hour a night. I don't think I need to give it up completely, but I need to learn moderation. I can use the rest of the time accomplishing something, and doing a devotional/quite time.

HisGirlFriday13 · March 2014

One of my BFFs and I are doing a daily Lenten devotional together, which I'm exciting about.

I'm also going to give up swearing, because I swear far too often and it's usually out of anger and frustration and I should get a handle on those emotions.

KittyKaty20 · March 2014

Starbucks. And I LOVE me some Starbucks. Daily. At least.

banana468 · March 2014

I already had to give up alcohol as I'm expecting but I'm giving up Candy Crush as I find its also a serious distraction. My goal is to use that time to be more present for my family.

KytchynWitche · March 2014

I don't really observe Lent, and I stopped observing it before I stopped believing in God or the Church, because I felt a lot of people had lost sight of the purpose of it. I was raised Catholic and went to a Catholic school, and I saw so much "look how much I'm suffering because I gave up [insert random thing here] for lent!" between my classmates - particularly the BACs. I just got really sick of it.

I AM trying to be more disciplined though. I want to spend less time online, which I should be able to do now that I'm not in SMM anymore, and I want to spend more time writing and painting. I want to be more conscious of what I'm eating. I'm not necessarily going to be dieting, but I want to try to stop eating while I'm doing other things, 'cause that's when I start with a full bag of chips and 5 minutes later the bag's gone and I don't remember eating it...

lmcooper86 · March 2014

I'm not planning on giving anything up, but I am aiming to do a daily Bible study every day during Lent. I was raised Presbyterian, but have only started going back to church in the last 6-ish months. I'd like to focus on something positive and something to grow on as opposed to driving myself crazy trying to give something up (although I do like the idea that @HisGirlFriday13 has to give up swearing...).

I am also planning on thinking about one specific thing that I'm grateful for each day.

Christina2323 · March 2014

I am not Catholic but have always done Lent just because I think it's a nice reminder...and sometimes helps me get a habit started that I maintain long after Lent is over. My little brother's cancer remission anniversary is also Fat Tuesday, so it's kind of a nice way to honor what he went through.

This year I'm giving up added sugar (only place I really do it is in my coffee, but it's still an adjustment) and also trying to not complain. Quite a challenge while in the middle of wedding planning

KPBM89 · March 2014

I'm giving up bread for lent: like sliced bread, breading, biscuits, crackers..all that good stuff. I'm vegetarian, so a lot of foods that I actually do eat will have bread to sort of make them heartier. I'm also attending church again now, so this is good timing for me for change!

emmaaa · March 2014

I'm giving up Facebook and Instagram for Lent (not Twitter or TK) and cursing. I'm also on board with @pumpkinsandturkeys and beginning a healthier lifestyle by going to the gym at least 4 days a week and not eating so much junk food. I plan to use the time I gain from not being so atached to social media to spend more time with my FI and family and growing in my faith.

I'm not Catholic either, Methodist, but have always done lent. One year I did Starbucks (all coffee in general) and had a migraine for two weeks from no caffeine!

SmileDamnit · March 2014

My mom & I were just talking about this on my drive into work. I gave up road rage one year - replaced all the swearing & negativity toward other drivers with a prayer. I think this year I'm going to give up cocktails (not wine, though. baby steps) and donate the money I would've spent to the rescue mission. I'm also planning to "unplug" after dark...no laptop, no texting and instead spend that time staying present & engaged with the fam. My mom suggested I read scripture (starting with the book of James) each night as well, but we'll see if I actually follow through on that.

HisGirlFriday13 · March 2014

@bananas468 -- Congrats on the expected little one!

HobokensFury · March 2014

Being 9 months pregnant it's hard to give up something. I'm going to try to save money and focus on my family during lent.

doeydo · March 2014

I'm not Catholic so I do not practice Lent.

SmileDamnit · March 2014

doeydo said:

I'm not Catholic so I do not practice Lent.

I'm not either, but I do try to practice the art of sacrifice when I can and Lent always seems the perfect opportunity to do so.

Edited to add an article I've recently read that was thought provoking:

"The Right & Wrong Reasons for Giving Something up for Lent"

And to share this list of things to give up, which I though was fitting for Lent and beyond:

Guilt – I am loved by Jesus and he has forgiven my sins. Today is a new day and the past is behind.
Fear – God is on my side. In him I am more than a conqueror. (see Romans 8)
The need to please everyone – I can’t please everyone anyways. There is only one I need to strive to please.
Envy – I am blessed. My value is not found in my possessions, but in my relationship with my Heavenly Father.
Impatience – God’s timing is the perfect timing.
Sense of entitlement – The world does not owe me anything. God does not owe me anything. I live in humility and grace.
Bitterness and Resentment – The only person I am hurting by holding on to these is myself.
Blame – I am not going to pass the buck. I will take responsibility for my actions.
Gossip and Negativity – I will put the best construction on everything when it comes to other people. I will also minimize my contact with people who are negative and toxic bringing other people down.
Comparison – I have my own unique contribution to make and there is no one else like me.
Fear of failure – You don’t succeed without experiencing failure. Just make sure you fail forward.
A spirit of poverty – Believe with God that there is always more than enough and never a lack
Feelings of unworthiness – You are fearfully and wonderfully made by your creator. (see Psalm 139)
Doubt – Believe God has a plan for you that is beyond anything you could imagine. The future is brighter than you could ever realize.
Self-pity – God comforts us in our sorrow so that we can comfort others with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
Retirement – As long as you are still breathing, you are here for a reason. You have a purpose to influence others for Christ. That does not come to an end until the day we die.
Excuses – A wise man once said, if you need an excuse, any excuse will do.
Lack of counsel – Wise decisions are rarely made in a vacuum.
Pride – Blessed are the humble.
Worry – God is in control and worrying will not help.

KatWAG · March 2014

Another preggo here. So I figure I have given up enough already. Normally I give up Diet Coke. To me, its like liquid gold it tastes so good. But i havent had one since I found out I was expecting (because of the caffiene.) I really like the idea of taking time to focus on bettering yourself. I might steal that one.

banana468 · March 2014

HisGirlFriday13 said:
@bananas468 -- Congrats on the expected little one!

Thank you! I'm 15 weeks and finally out of the crazy tired zone.

@hobokenbride2012, enjoy what you can now!

arrippa · March 2014

doeydo said:

I'm not Catholic so I do not practice Lent.

Me too, but I think I might do something for Lent. I already try to read the bible daily, so I need to come up with something. Maybe do a devotional instead.

thisismynickname2 · March 2014

I have to share this. My coworker today shared that at her train station there was a priest in the purple vestments with a pot of ashes.

Some of the comments this generated included, "How convenient!" and "Drive thru religion!" My first reaction is that it was really cool of that priest to make that effort.... but the "drive thru" element does take away from things just a bit. Considering how badly it's snowing here today (seriously screwing up travel times), the priest probably thought people may not make it to mass today.

Peaseblossom55 · March 2014

I am catholic I decided to give up beer for lent. I drink beer occaisonally it's not a huge sacrifice but I'll miss it. I usually try to give up some food but my dietary restrictions are already so limiting.

mbross3 · March 2014

I don't believe in any religion, but I think the idea of checking in on your life and habits and evaluating for a time is really great. When I was younger my siblings and I would all give up chocolate or candy (even though we did not practice any religion) mostly to practice moderation, etc.

I've been thinking about adding something to my life, such as actively identifying a couple positive things about my day every day, and identifying at least one thing I wish I had done better/differently. I tend to just think of the day as a whole "it was ok" or "it was blah", but I want to proactively take charge of my days and of my attitudes. I am mostly thinking about school and trying to stay on top of my work and motivation!

monkeysip · March 2014

I'm trying to give up complaining for Lent because I've been really negative lately, but this morning I've been having some computer issues, so already it hasn't been going well, LOL.

I want to at the very least stop complaining about other people. Not sure if I'll ever be able to stop complaining about computer problems.

Also, I want to read this book I bought on Jesuit spirituality. And H and I want to do something together, like maybe go to adoration once a week or something.

Not doing any food related things since I'm pregnant and it's hard enough finding things I want to eat!

What are you doing for Lent?

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