Lent
So it's Ash Wednesday and that means that Lent starts for much of the Christian world. To be fair there are similar fasting and penance periods in other religions but I'm not personally familiar with them.
In the past I have done my best to sacrifice for Lent. When I was a teen I encouraged my family to give up red meat, to the ire of my mother who was the one organizing all of the evening meals. As a grown woman I once gave up coffee and tea for Lent. Yeah, don't tell me that's not a sacrifice. It backfired miserably when I was able to drink it again and went through nervous caffeine fits of humorous description.
So what to do about Lent this year?
Well, I think instead of giving up something that would be a "sacrifice" (and really, how many people TRULY understand what a sacrifice is?) I will try to be a better person and to do for others more often during the next 40 days. I don't think the Heavens would be completely miffed if I interpreted the teachings to accent the happiness that I could help bring to others. Especially if those others are in need of a ray of sunshine. I'm not going to set a goal because that would be focusing on my own attainment. Instead I'm going to go Zen on Lent and see what opportunities for harmony will rise in my path.
I like this idea. I'm going with it.
In the past I have done my best to sacrifice for Lent. When I was a teen I encouraged my family to give up red meat, to the ire of my mother who was the one organizing all of the evening meals. As a grown woman I once gave up coffee and tea for Lent. Yeah, don't tell me that's not a sacrifice. It backfired miserably when I was able to drink it again and went through nervous caffeine fits of humorous description.
So what to do about Lent this year?
Well, I think instead of giving up something that would be a "sacrifice" (and really, how many people TRULY understand what a sacrifice is?) I will try to be a better person and to do for others more often during the next 40 days. I don't think the Heavens would be completely miffed if I interpreted the teachings to accent the happiness that I could help bring to others. Especially if those others are in need of a ray of sunshine. I'm not going to set a goal because that would be focusing on my own attainment. Instead I'm going to go Zen on Lent and see what opportunities for harmony will rise in my path.
I like this idea. I'm going with it.