In this thread, we talked a little about Lent and what we might try. Did you succeed in your goal (whatever it was)? Did you learn anything about yourself? Have you kept up any good habits you were trying to form or succeed in shaking a bad one?
I succeeded in keeping the vegan+fish diet on Tuesdays and Fridays, and I did manage to reduce my intake of refined sugar but I don’t think I managed to create a habit of avoiding candy. I learned that I can easily avoid buying candy, but if there’s a dish of candy at a party, I’m doomed. Sadly, I don’t think the practice made me a better exemplar of my religion.
My forty days without (artificial) sugar didn’t work so well either. I failed twice, both times at parties. Once when my students were giving a Pi Day party and all of them brought pie. The other time when I was at a barbecue/bonfire and couldn’t resist the smores. I did manage to avoid desserts at home and in restaurants, and I also avoided sodas. Next year I’ll do better.
I gave up complaining. Aside from one hour long car ride in which I sorta let loose, it was successful. I learned that complaining about something you don’t intend to do something about really doesn’t make you feel all that much better. And I learned that I’m really very blessed.
I learned it wasn’t as hard to go without alcohol for 40 days (around 50 actually, since I didn’t drink on Sundays, and stopped drinking the Sunday before Lent began) as I thought it would be; I like the way I look without all of the extra calories; and I saved a bunch of money. A win-win-win.
I went without coffee at work (usually drank ~ 2 litres a day before at my desk), and after a few days it did not bother me at all (I did drink a large cup of coffee for breakfest and for dinner, though). Looks like I might take to drinking less coffee, more water at work.
I went without beef and without fast food. (Soft drinks from Sonic with The Perfect Ice did not count.)
I learned I really missed beef, but it did get easier. I learned that I really didn’t miss the fast food that much. (I’ve gone twice since Easter, and once was after the Reggae Festival in Austin. I. was. hungry. And that damn mini sirloin burger song makes me laugh. Though, everything was making me laugh and hungry at that point. And that was just from the air of the festival.)
I’m going to stick with more chicken and fish and more veggies. I’ve done the no beef for several years now and it does get easier each time (after the first week).
And of course, I felt lucky to be able to give something up by choice in a land of plenty. That’s what I use the Lenten season for, personally.
I learned that trying to take a 13-month-old to daily Mass is extremely penitential. I was right about that- I just didn’t know how right.
This Lent it was harder to stay motivated than any previous Lent I can remember. I’m not sure why, yet. Next year, God willing, and if everything goes well, I’ll have a perfect Lenten sacrifice: sleep, since I’ll have a newborn. Well, new-ish born.
I gave up listening to my favorite group, watching my favorite tv show, and eating peanuts.
I gave up peanuts because I do love to eat them and I knew it would be a challenge since I went to several spring training baseball games. I’m not sure I really learned anything from giving them up. I had pretzels instead.
Watching my favorite tv show? No, didn’t really learn much from that. Since Lent was late this year, most of my time was spent watching baseball and the NCAA tournament.
Giving up listening to my favorite music? Hmm, well, I’m spending a lot more time listening to classical music. I’m growing in my musical tastes.
Lent was rough this year. Work was brutal and I wasn’t able to focus on it 100% this year.
Good to see I was not the only one who gave up alcohol. I learned that I have a lot more will power than my wife and friends gave me credit for.
I did have a few moments where I thought about giving in to temptation but I managed to walk away and say a little prayer and enjoyed the situation with water or a soft drink.
I also learned that nobody seems to agree when Lent ends. Some people say on Holy Thursday.
Where others say it ends on Easter sunday. This is what my grandmother always taught and what I went with.
That first bourbon while enjoying dinner with my family was wonderful.
Bravo to you for even making the attempt! My aim was to make daily mass throughout Lent too. I didn’t manage 100%, but I came reasonably close. Perhaps next year.
