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Last year for Lent, I gave up dressing frumpy. The results were astounding—I had more confidence, I did more, I got a job (that I wasn’t looking for, it was offered out of the blue.)
This year I’m giving up yelling. I have a tendency to raise my voice little by little until I’m yelling. Or to go right to a holler to grab my kids attention, not screaming at them, but this isn’t necessary. It’s actually my lazy way of parenting and I want it to stop. So tomorrow, no more yelling.
Every year I give up ALL sweets (and always drop some weight not suprisingly!) This year I’ll do it as well but I’m also shooting for eating very clean and cutting out the chemicals completely (goodbye Diet Coke!) There was a time that I ate only whole foods but slipped back over the years. My main goal is to eat more healthfully.
It’s one thing to try to watch it but it’s easy so to say “It’s a party, so it’s a special occasion.” etc. When I give it up for Lent though, I WON’T cheat. So, these 40 days will be my big purge.. no sweets, no junk, no chemicals, no alcohol then I’ll have a great jump start to move forward.
Hey Bree, i’m giving up all cakes, biscuits and chocolate this year. I find it easier if I deny myself completely. I did the same last year and lost weight so am going for it again. I though about giving up alcohol but 40 days is too long! I’m going to keep that to one night a week. Best of luck. Remember the best part about lent is treating yourself on easter sunday. Don’t forget to treat yourself at the end. Chocolate esaster egg for me!
So far, I think I’ve done good. There were a few times yesterday when I had to stop myself from yelling across the house and instead get up and go talk to them. And of course, a few times when the kids were being turkeys and I had to really force some relaxation to not just yell stop it. I’d love for this to become just another part of life for me.
Here’s me with my ash cross. Wonderful service last night. Praise God.
You’re better than I, Bree. I should have got my ashes last night but I flaked out instead. It’s just so hard for me to get myself to go to church. Bad I know.
I’m giving up swearing like a sailor. It’s just gotten so bad that I have to do this. F bomb this and F-ing that all the time. Just not very lady-like is it? So that’s what I’m giving up.
I just wanted to say that, while I don’t observe Lent (not being Christian), I very much admire the people who do. Kudos to all of you.
I feel much the same way. I don’t observe Lent either, but I have often thought of doing so just as a support to those who do, and as a reminder that small sacrifices can keep us mindful of a higher purpose and of the much bigger needs faced by so many.
I was just at this place in Florida which makes useful little transportation carts, hand-pedaled, for disabled people in parts of the world that aren’t paved, and wheelchairs can’t cut it in the rough. They have a shop started by a retired missionary who is also a good tinkerer in the old-fashioned sense, so the thing has evolved and is made as sturdy as possible, because it needs to last and parts and repairs cannot be managed. They also pack them in boxes stuffed not with paper or foam, but with bags of useful stuff like small pill containers (clinics in Africa just hand out loose pills, not in containers), wire hangers (which are used for their wire in many ways), plastic bags, used clothing, stuffed toys, and hand-knitted baby things. http://www.petinternational.org/whatispet/index.html
I so want to help this project out. The old gentleman who started it all was the one who gave us the tour of his shop, and I observed as I watched him lift half of one of the carts that he was strong for his small size and his age. I was told he was just given a clean bill of health after a bout of chemo—he is one of those relatively rare cases of male breast cancer and has a mastectomy. This was one amazing and inspiring man using all of his experience and resources to make a difference.
Wow, I’ve been really good about not swearing ever since I said I would give it up. I hope this becomes permanent! Even my guy said something to the effect of “ You feeling okay? You haven’t said “F” in a really long time?” LOL! (sheesh, i was really swearing alot! )
Wow, I’ve been really good about not swearing ever since I said I would give it up. I hope this becomes permanent! Even my guy said something to the effect of “ You feeling okay? You haven’t said “F” in a really long time?” LOL! (sheesh, i was really swearing alot! )
Emmi that gave me a good chuckle...with my Wife it’s the opposite. With the exception of the occasional “oh sh*t”, she never cusses. But if she’s getting too hungry...look out..."F-bomb"…
On Topic, this year I didn’t really make plans to “give up” anything, but I am staying true to meatless Fridays. If anything I’m using lent as a measure of accountability...keep up with my workouts, get enough sleep, drink more-more-more water, eat better, and ween myself off of sodas. I’ve cut back on the caffeine too. I guess you could summize it in Scott speak as just trying to be “more good-er than bad-er”.
How’s everyone doing? I’m doing OK, I have yelled a couple of times. What gets me, is when I do, the kids really pay attention. Before it was just “whatever” and on with life. Now it seems to grab their attention. And that reaction helps me remember to relax and quiet down. Once I have they’re attention, no need to keep that level.
In past years I’ve given up different items like beer, pop, caffeine, red meat or sweets. This year is a retread and it’s back to giving up sweets (cookies, candy, desserts) and I’m doing well as I haven’t fallen off of the ash cart yet. I usually do really well with the self-denial and discipline to remember and follow it for 40 days keeping me on task but when I’ve fallen it’s the times where I don’t think about it being lent and before you know it, it’s (what you gave up) is in your mouth. One year we were playing Bunco with other couples and I had given up candy, well on each table was a peanut/M&M;mix and I just absent mindley reached down and grabbed a handful and when the M&M;hit my mouth it was “Oh s**t”.
I’ve been doing really well with the not swearing out loud. Oh, I’ve let one slip here and there but not nearly as much as I used too. It’s really hard to keep your trap shut when someone cuts you off in traffic. I have found myself “saluting” these road jerks instead!
This year I gave up Styrofoam...its bad for the environment, bad for us (yes all those chemicals do leak into your system) and bad for the economy. I actually kinda thought this wouldn’t be to hard, just avoid eating meals in the cafeteria and I would be fine. But it sneaks up on you everywhere. Most meat comes on Styrofoam, though you can by stuff in recyclable boxes, buying anything in packaging means a box full of the stuff and try ordering takout thats not pizza!
I hope you are all still hanging in there! I have managed to stay off chocolate, cakes and biscuits for the duration so am looking forward to a treat on sunday.
I’m still doing really well on the not yelling. It has helped so much in being a better mom. Not that I screamed at my kids all the time before, but I did seem to go instantly into a raised voice. Then they’d talk over me, and then it was a full out yell. Lots of anger, tension, and grumpy has melted away.
Great job, Kevin! Have you lost any weight as an effect?
Hi Bree, glad to hear that you have done so well. Weight-wise, I haven’t lost any. However, I have a toddler and a three month old at home so I haven’t been able to get to the gym for the last few months. Lent has definitely helped as I would have put on weight for sure if I was able to eat the bad stuff. Small children are great but hard work!
Enjoy your easter, I hope you are planning to treat yourself for your good work.
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