2.21.2012

It's that time again!

Lent is around the corner (it's tomorrow, so really). For me, this means a lot of introspection and a LOT of sacrifices. Last year I gave up TV and it was really hard for me, so I've decided to take it a step further. I am giving up TV again, I am also giving up desserts and candy, along with limiting my FB time.

I think Lent is the perfect season to think about what really needs to change in your life - to make God the center of it. I know there is a lot of "noise" in this world today, things that distract us from religion and God. It is very hard to fight against the media and everything else, but I think once I cut it out I will have a larger sense of satisfaction than I do when I browse facebook for 2 hours.

A great article about Lent is here. You should read the article, but I'll post some of the ideas of things to sacrifice here:

Ideas for Adults


Fasting


Skip lunch one day a week.

Skip meat an extra day — or two — a week.

Give up alcoholic beverages — except in social situations where you would stand out otherwise; then have just one.

Give up soda — even diet soda.

Give up all desserts.

Don’t buy anything except groceries and absolute necessities.

Fast from listening to talk radio or music in the car.



Prayer


Begin — or begin again — the daily Rosary.

Meditate for 10 minutes a day — Magnificat offers a wonderful daily meditation.

Attend Stations of the Cross, Divine Mercy devotions or Eucharistic adoration.

Start a nightly habit of spiritual reading. For example, one of these new books: Pope Benedict’s Jesus of Nazareth and Jesus of Nazareth: Holy Week: From the Entrance Into Jerusalem to the Resurrection, as well as Father Robert Barron’s Catholicism: A Journey to the Heart of the Faith.

Read the Compendium of the Catechism (just four pages a day will allow you to finish it in Lent).



Almsgiving/Charity


Volunteer to deliver food to the poor.

Join the social-concerns committee at your parish.

Make a significant donation to a deserving charity with each Lenten paycheck.

Forgive someone, and tell him or her you want to patch things up.

Say a kind word to everyone you meet.

Pay one significant compliment — or more! — to each of your children every day.

Offer to watch the children of a new mother one day a week throughout Lent.

Visit an elderly friend or relative.



For Children and Teens


For younger folks, don’t be afraid of the adult ideas. But if none will work for you, try these:

Look for and address a need in your house every day.

Start asking, “Is there anything else I can do?” after you do what your parents ask.

Turn off your phone except for specific times at home.

Give up video games. Yes — entirely — throughout Lent (except Sundays!).

Send a note to each grandparent, aunt, uncle and godparent during Lent.

Make a new friend outside your “crowd.”

Be a friend to a shy person.

Give up that bad place, person or thing.

Choose a favorite toy, book or piece of clothing and put it away until Easter.


It's time to focus on what matters! Good luck to all of you :D

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