So it’s the start of lent tomorrow.
As I understand it - and I will preface with I am not Christian, but did go to Church of England schools - Lent is a time to give things up.
For Christians it is when they remember the time Jesus spent 40 days and 40 nights in the desert being tempted by Satan. As Jesus was fasting during this period, I think this is why Christians associate this time with giving up particular foods…ok that’s about as far as I’m going to go with the religious account.
This is the thing about lent though, and what I find particularly interesting, is these days lent is observed by many people, regardless of their religious identity. It feels like a societal thing, though its root originates in Christianity.
You know the deal, people give up a whole host of things – anything from chocolate, alcohol, pizza, smoking to social networking (apparently!). My daughter has suggested she may give up meat – which I will be very impressed to see. She is, however one of the most determined people I know, so if she says she will, she will.
But this is the thing – I feel the whole concept of giving something up for a prolonged period of time is really laudable and I do believe that if you set your mind to something, it is good to commit. But I am not good at giving up things.
This is primarily why I never diet or do dry January. I can go weeks without drinking, but the minute I tell myself I am not allowed – there is part of my mind that rebels.
But I do like idea of lent, so I have decided to look at it as a period of time where I don’t give something up – but I exercise some sustained discipline. Discipline – I can get on board with – and fuels my personal fire. A subtle distinction I know, but it makes sense to me (!)So I have decided on coffee. I never drink instant coffee, which is what we have at home – but even if I am working from home, I will make a point of going out most days and buying a “posh” coffee.
So not having it for 40 days will be no bad thing and whilst it will be nominal I have decided that I will put the money I would have spent in a jar and give it to charity at the end of lent. I'm feeling focussed...
So how about you? Are you giving up something for lent – what is it? Do you always observe lent, or never? Please get in touch; I’d love to know....