Fat Tuesday/Lent

[butlerfan]

Are you giving up anything for Lent? If so, what?

I'm trying to think of something that I can realistically do.

[peaseblossom55]

I am giving up alcohol, I really didn't plan on drinking during all of this IVF stuff anyway. So yes it's a bit weak. I have previously given up different types of alcohol- beer, or wine. I've given up potatoes, in the past- that was hard. It can be so tough to find something realistic to do. I think one time I gave up pasta.

[butlerfan]

Not catholic either but just thinking I should do something this year.

[diamondsndaisies]

I have no idea what I am going to give up. They also say that it can be a proactive challenge, like making a point to donate time once a week or something of that nature. I tend to try and do things like that because then it is something that will better my life in the future and I don't have a craving etc that I can't sustain.

Ex. Last year I decided that I was going visit my grandparents once a week. I don't want to regret not spending enough time with them.

[wannabmama]

I'm not catholic but always do lent...but am not sure what to do. I'm thinking coffee or caffeine, but still watching here for more ideas. I thought about meat, but with H it's so hard, I'd have to cook two meals every day.

[ThankfulSnail]

I'm Protestant so we don't emphasize giving things up for Lent. I have in the past and I find for me personally, I end up making it all about me and my "sacrifice" and doesn't help me with my spiritual development like it's supposed to as a "fast." I think this year I'm going to try putting aside more time for quiet prayer/devotion/reflection during Lent.

That's all just me personally and how my personality is, not saying there is anything wrong with giving things up for Lent if it helps anyone else grow spiritually or just as a time to see if you can live without XYZ if you're not particularly religious.

[littlelion]

Once I gave up swearing. I don't swear too much these days. I've already restricted donuts and fried foods for weight loss reasons.

I'm thinking of giving up chocolate. Or alcohol. I can't decide which one is harder.

[butlerfan]

Feb 9, 2016 12:31:06 GMT -5 ugaqueencity said:

Feb 9, 2016 12:27:30 GMT -5 ****** said:

I've always wanted to attend the Ash Wednesday service at the church but I'm not sure a non Catholic would be welcomed to participate. In grad school, a lot of my good friends were practicing Catholics, I should've attended with them then.

I'm not Catholic but it's my understanding you're more than welcome to attend and participate in everything except communion

ETA-I'm Presbyterian and we do Ash Wednesday services as well, I think most denominations do

Same-we have a Ash Wednesday service tomorrow and Presbyterian as well. I think the Catholics just talk more about giving up things for lent.

[kleigh]

I was raised Catholic but don't currently practice. That said I like Lent as a sort of self reflection and a time to reconsider habits and such.

I don't intentionally give up meat on Fridays (of course this angers the in laws but I already eat so little meat as it is that if I'm specifically craving it I take it as being low on some nutrient).

I have wanted to cut down my sugar so this is a great time to give it a go, I considered no meat at all during lent as my husband has been wanting to try and give it up, and I am aiming to meditate every day.

[kawaiikitsune]

MH & I are attending Ash Wednesday mass tomorrow. As PP's have said, anyone can participate in the ashes, whether or not you are Catholic/unbaptized/etc. As for Lent, I was going to give up Netflix but in all honestly, I don't think I am capable of that. Soda seems more reasonable and actually doable for me. Or red meat.