So I don’t know about you guys, but I’m really excited about this Lent. I don’t know why because I usually dread Lent when it comes around. The thoughts that usually enter my head are things like, “Well, here we go again. Time to deny the flesh and things. Joy.” or “Goodbye, happiness. See you at Easter.” Yup, time to give up that darned Facebook and fall off of the Earth for the next 40 days.
But this Lent for me will be an interesting one for me, to say the least. I’m right on the brink of graduation in May. My world is about to change drastically (and needless to say, I am soooo excited to be done with school forever). I’m not quite sure what’s gonna happen and I know that this Lent will be quite the challenge for me.
You’re gonna think I’m crazy, but within the next 40 days I will be going to/serving on 3 retreats, going to New York and Boston while also trying to do this Lent thing and try finish school and serve the Church and blah blah blah other things. Ya, my parents aren’t exactly the happiest about all of this. I just hope I don’t fail all of my classes. Oh well. It should be interesting to say the least. I’m really looking forward to seeing what God has in store for me.
So anyways, here’s the things I’m going to be giving up for Lent and why. Feel free to post your list in the comments!
Going Mirror-less
This Lent I will be giving up mirrors. I guess it’s kind of implied that this also means that I will be giving up makeup as well, unless I want a disaster of a clown face. I guess this one is kind of a penance for all of us. Yay for more sanctification!
I think it was a couple of Lents ago that I heard about doing this. One of my goals for this Lent is to focus less on myself and how others see me. I think this will be a good way to forget about myself and focus more on the needs of others. I also think that it will be interesting as far as job interviews and networking parties go, as I will have to break my fast in order to give the best impressions. I imagine it will make my We’ll see how it goes…
Going Netflix-less
This one is mostly due to wanting to have more time to spend with the Lord, but it also kinda has to do with the fact that my dad has kicked me off of his Netflix account. Sigh. Oh, adulthood.
Anyways, I guess this one was sort of forced on me. I’m really sad to give up my Chuck-marathoning as I was really getting into that show, probably a little too much. The other day I took this thing called the Collegiate Learning Assessment that tested how UT has taught me how to think. I was really paranoid that it was actually a test to see it I was fit for Fulcrum, which is the evil agency that Chuck is trying to fight. See, it’s little things like this that tell me that I need to watch less TV.
But I really think this is a good way to slow down and disconnect from the world a little bit. I’m not saying that secular shows are made by the devil or anything, but I can definitely see how someone without faith could be easily influenced to sin because of secular media. I can also see myself becoming more used to things like cohabitation and contraception because of the commonality of it on TV. It’ll be nice to just live in the world without these influences for a while. Thanks, Dad. I guess.
Going More Jesus
So I don’t know if I’m gonna be able to pull this one off, but I guess we’ll see. Also, I don’t know if the title of this section makes sense but whatever. I’m going to try and spend at least 30 minutes to an hour everyday with Our Lord in front of the Blessed Sacrament. Hmm, ya good luck with that one.
I suppose if it’s meant to be, God will give me the time. I’m currently kind of discerning my vocation right now so I think this will be a good practice to slow everything down and be with Jesus. I know He’ll show me the way as long as I trust in Him.
So that’s my list! Let me know what you think. Is this too much? Is this too little? Will it never be enough? What are you doing for Lent and why?
I’ll be praying for all of you this Lent and I ask that you please pray for me as well. Happy fasting!
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