Thursday, March 17, 2011

I'm not really whining...just making observations!

A couple of weeks ago, as I was mulling over what to give up and what spiritual disciplines to take on for Lent, I made a pretty bold decision...after much deliberation I kept Facebook, but decided to give up soda, high carb/fried/ processed foods and I decided to take on the discipline of simplicity (it's way past time to de-clutter).  We're about 1/5 of the way through Lent and I have come to a few conclusions...

1.  It is, in fact, easier to give up Facebook than Diet Pepsi.
2.  Processed foods are everywhere, so giving those up means a pretty radical diet (and pretty impractical when I am going to be out of town for a week during Lent - what was I thinking?)
3.  My closet and dresser are a whole lot more organized and less cluttered once I took away everything that was:
   a.  not worn in a year
   b.  too big
   c.  I just don't like it any more
4.  I have too many t-shirts - I have not culled through those yet
5.  I miss Diet Pepsi - a lot

This has really made me think about Spiritual Disciplines and fasting in particular.  I will need to do some more thinking about this when I don't need an afternoon nap to function...sigh...

any thoughts from folks out there?

Have you given anything up for Lent?  Have you, instead, taken anything on?

How is that working for you?

in Christ, together,
Deborah
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3 comments:

  1. Lorinda H.March 17, 2011 at 6:15 PM

    I gave up second helpings and computer games this Lent. While not officially Lenten disciplines, I have several other goals related healthy living I've recently adopted as well.

    Food and computer games are both ways I try to fill the emptiness, instead of relying on on God to do so.

    I've had a real epiphany experience (irony intended) this around my whole relationship with food, my body, dieting, etc. In this regard I'm focusing on self-compassion and mindfulness. I'm finding them both to be spiritual disciplines, not just techniques for dealing with my weight.

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  2. Katie Z.March 17, 2011 at 6:20 PM

    I have given up meat for Lent this year. It is a discipline that I have to focus on for every single meal of the day - and each time I open the fridge doors or step up the counter to order something, I think about why I'm doing it. It amazes me that while I find it terribly hard to eat healthy, I can manage to refrain from eating pork and beef and poultry for six weeks. And it also amazes me how much it does really focus my attention on God... and how hard it is to daily follow Jesus Christ.

    I'm also trying to focus on visitations during Lent... spending time with those folks I don't always make the time to stop by and see. My goal was one person for each working day - I'm about halfway there.

    Way to go at simplifying your closet! And the need to nap in the afternoon will gradually get better!!! Keep with it!

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  3. Deborah Coble March 17, 2011 at 9:14 PM

    thank you sisters! I about caved and bought a diet Pepsi this afternoon (had a meeting tonight at church) but am holding fast to the fast...

    appreciate your encouragement and your witness.

    peace,
    deb

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