Reflecting on Lent [13]Comments on:

By: kilax

kilax — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 02:43:20 +0000

Hotch Potchery – During childhood, I was told to do the same. And I never learned from it. Now I have the perspective to understand the point of it. I wish this is something that would have been taught to me better.

By: Hotch Potchery

Hotch Potchery — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 18:01:04 +0000

I was raised Catholic, and I guess I still am…haven’t renounced the Church or anything. I live in the Deep South where religion is a way to batter people, and I have lost some faith in organized religion. That being said, I think of Lent as a time for introspection…for some people that comes better from giving up, for some that comes more from contributing more…as a child I was forced to give up cake or chocolate or something like that and I never once came out of Lent closer to God due to that sacrifice, it felt like a punishment.

By: kilax

kilax — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 02:50:53 +0000

mom – I am surprised, I didn’t know that. Probably because Grandma always talked about it. So, are you saying I shouldn’t talk about it here?

By: mom

mom — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 23:55:01 +0000

Whatever you decide to give up is between you and God. Family and friends are not allowed to feel sorry for you or ask you how it is going. We never really followed this rule in our home. Grandma always encourged us to fast and to share, what that was going to be with the family.

By: kilax

kilax — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 17:29:18 +0000

TC – Thanks I think it is a good idea. I hope that after this 40 days I continue on with it!

By: TC

TC — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 03:57:27 +0000

I’m not Catholic, but I’ve given things up for lent before. I think it’s a good idea for all of us every once in awhile to consider giving something up. It makes us appreciate everything else a little bit more.

And as you noted with the sugar, there are also some other benefits for us sometimes too.

Very interesting post.

By: kilax

kilax — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 03:09:12 +0000

Christina – I think the goal of doing something to better one’s self and others is equally important to giving something up, if not more. I mean, I could be sitting alone at home, not eating my sugary treats, but be stewing up nasty thoughts. Why not use that time to do something better? Sometimes, we have to sacrifice times to get things done. Good luck at the gym. Will you be blogging about it?

martymankins – What are your get back to the gym plans? It’s probably difficult to plan it out with your trip coming up. I always have a hard time planning exercise around vacation.

teeni – I agree with what you say about the recession, even though a lot of people probably don’t see it that way. Most of us Americans are blessed… even spoiled, by goods or free time, or freedom or whatever. It is time to re-evaluate.

Cheryl – Hee hee. Hey, you don’t sound very committed! You can do it if you want to

By: Cheryl

Cheryl — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 21:34:45 +0000

I went to Catholic school for nine years; unfortunately I’m now at a place where I don’t do much for any holiday. I’m thinking I might at least go back to no meat on Fridays this year. We shall see how that pans out…

By: teeni

teeni — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 20:13:10 +0000

I don’t consider myself religious in the traditional sense but I think any (serious) attempts to improve oneself must be a step in the right direction. I think you have some points about the recession. In some ways I think it might be a good thing because it is forcing people to look at things differently and reprioritize their lives and where they spend their time.

By: martymankins

martymankins — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 18:02:39 +0000

Not religious, but giving up something that’s bad for me or doing something that’s good for me can be nothing but good. As Christina above me said, getting back to a gym would be very good. Candy is something I could give up, but I really don’t eat much of that.