What are you giving up for Lent?

#1

I am Christian, but not Catholic…and have never really given up things for Lent before, but I am so anal I need reasons and structure in my life. So this year my Lenten goals are:

Give up Diet Coke. I gave it up 3 months ago, dropped 5 lbs in 2 weeks. Went off the wagon, the weight came back on. Coincidence? I think not.

Limit chocolate. ARound our office, especially this time of year, the sweets abound. All those nerdy accountants (self included) getting their sugar buzz. I am limiting myself to one small AM and PM treat. this may not sound like much to you but its an all day thing, so this will be difficult.

Yarn buyage - Other than the yarn co-op which I had mentally committed myself to, I am not buying any more yarn. In addition, I am working on finishing projects.

I think that should be about enough! How about you all?

#2

I am going to try to give up potato chips, doritos, etc. There’s no way I can give up buying yarn. As a matter of fact, I may ending up needing more yarn to keep my hands busy so I’m not tempted to eat! :rollseyes:

#3

At the risk of sounding like a bad parent, I’ll share that I’m spending a certain amount of time evry day with my kids, doing whatever they want to do – no knitting, no computer, no chores while I’m half-listening. I know some people do that every day :oops: :roflhard: but I really struggle with it! I’m doing two other things, more spiritual disciplines, but I think there’s some good in not talking about them.

In case any of you non-Lent-celebraters are curious, here’s a good explanation of the purpose behind giving things up/doing things for Lent: LENT :smiley: IMHO it tends to be misunderstood!

#4

In case any of you non-Lent-celebraters are curious, here’s a good explanation of the purpose behind giving things up/doing things for Lent: LENT :smiley: IMHO it tends to be misunderstood

Thanks. I’m not Catholic, and I’ve often wondered about things like this.

#5

Julie I liked your ideas. It sounds like something you may even carry over beyond Lent which ultimately will make you a better person. Far more worthwhile than just giving up chocolate for 40 days. (Which BTW is now being spoken of as the NEW health food. 'Bout time someone came up with that!! :rofling: )

#6

Really good link, Julie! I like that —add something rather than take it away. Will have to give that some thought, as to what might be a good habit to develop.

#7

My mom called the other night and said for Lent they want to spend more time with my kids (DS12 and DD10). My kids are BUSY and don’t have much free time but they are looking forward to spending time with their gramma and grampa.

I :heart: the idea and I know the kids will have fun too.

#8

The hope that we are ever going to find a house.

#9

Being a non-practicing catholic (for reasons too long to go into here), it has been a long time since I gave up anything for lent. Instead, I like the idea of ‘adding something’. What I really try to do is the random acts of kindess or the ‘pay it forward’ types of things. Doesn’t even have to be anything big either. Just simple everyday things, like holding the door for someone as you walk into a store, or being more patient with other people, esp when driving! (oops, guilty here :oops: ). It even shows with all of the people on here who help each other out everyday, or are doing one of the KALs for other people that they don’t even know. To me, this is what the Lenten season is about.

#10

Lisa, You took the words right out of my mouth. Nicely said! :wink:

#11

I’m Christian but not Catholic. I was raised Catholic and we participated in lent by giving up different things. I havent celebrated lent like this since I was a kid. However I really like the idea of Lent being a time of focus. So the last few years of I have spent the time focusing on something that will make me a better person,wife, mother, Christ-follower, etc. This year I am doing the same.

#12

Going to give up my diet. :rollseyes:

#13

I talked with my teenagers last night, and they are going to work on cleaning up the language. Woo woo! They are great kids…but when they get going, especially with each other, they attempt to try to out-crude each other, and it gets out of hand.

#14

EXCELLENT Article…I’m Lutheran, and have always felt, why give something up, if I give it up, I shouldn’t be doing it anyway, and there is NO way I could become like Jesus, AND, he did it for me anyway!!! There’s NOTHING I can do!!!

But the article really focused on a change of person, not to see how strong we are!!! I will totally send this to all my Lutheran friends!!!

thanks for sharing. :slight_smile: