Lent

Are you giving anything up for lent this year? I' m a soda addict , so thats what I gave up last year. Just wanted to pick your brains to give me some ideas for this year.

I'm giving up depriving myself of anything that I think can bring happiness. I'm giving up everything I can that holds me back. I'm holding onto things I know can help. And finally, I'm leaving behind what I can that I don't need.
I know it's not the usual use for the holiday, but I'm also not religious.

I think that is a great idea. Good for you in moving in the right direction. I'm proud of you.

Each year for Lent I try to give up one material thing and one abstract thing. I think this year I will give up candy bars (or some other unhealthy food...still deciding) as my material thing, and weighing/measuring myself (bad ED habits) as my abstract thing.

I like the idea of giving up abstract things like you said, Annie. I'll have to think about that one.

One year I made a "cuss box". I fined myself a nickel for every swear word, and a dollar for dropping the F-bomb. It didn't do much to make me stop swearing, but I ended up donating about $40 to the church on Easter!

no.

I saw a comercial that was showing cancer UK, and the lady on the comercial said she was giving up chocolate for a month to raise money

to be fair, the statement " don't make me do this alone", made me feel for her- and I did seriously think about it, but then decided no.. and just ordered a big tub of chocolates

no will power, you see. none

I am giving up sweets of any kind and adding in an hour of exercise a week. I know an hour sounds lame, but I am going from the couch and naps, so it is a big goal.

About 10 years ago my brother in law fasted for 40 days during lent. Only consumed water For forty days! I'm surprised he lived to tell the story.

I quit giving up stuff for lent when I quit going to church, so that was in 2004? Or was it earlier? I can't remember. The whole 9th grade biology ruined church for me. haha. Been an atheist since. Just went to church to please my parents. Always found meatless fridays during lent weird too. I wasn't raised catholic though. My dad was.

What is "Lent?"

Is it a religious tradition?
Christian? Other?
Catholic? Protestant? Neither? Both?

When is "Lent?"
What's the purpose/premise behind "Lent?"

Thanks for explaining.


WC

WC... Thats a loaded question. Maybe just google it. It would give you better insight than me just trying to explain it.

I briefly forgot I could google it! Duh!
Thanks for the reminder.


WC

Having something to do with the first full moon after the equinox...Lent begins the day after mardi gras. Ash wednesday.(They take the palm leaves that they gathered on palm sunday and burn them to make the ash for ash wednesday. Catholics go to church on ash wednesday and get a smudge of ash on their foreheads by a priest as a remeberance i think.... It lasts 6 weeks before easter. Since it symbolizes Jesus's death and rising...it is the holiest of all holidays for christians. Lent is a personal time to be devoted to prayer and dedication to your faith. Many people give up alcohol, candy,other pleasures during lent.
I will give up alcohol for lent.
We are in the throws of carnival, just had our first mardi gras parades last night.

fun fun fun!
bizi
I live in cajun country, lafayette louisiana
I am not cathloic/nor religious. So many of my elderly clients are catholic,,
I try to be respectful of their rituals and faith.

You get Carnival?! I'm gonna have to come visit you! JK

In a very brief nutshell, Lent is a religious holiday that is most popularly observed by Catholics, but many Protestant denominations practice as well (I am a Protestant Methodist, for example).
Lent is the 40 days (not counting Sundays) between Mardi Gras (also called Fat Tuesday, the day after Fat Tuesday/Marti Gras is called Ash Wednesday) and Easter. It represents the 40 days that Jesus spent in the desert abstaining from Satan's temptations. Lent is a way to pay tribute, in a way, to that strength and sacrifice that Jesus made. Lent ends on Easter, which is a huge and joyous celebration of Jesus's conquer over death when he rose from the grave three days after being crucified.
It is practiced differently depending on the church. Some churches take it very seriously, some recommend Lent to the congregation, and some churches do not really talk about it at all.

Hopefully that was an OK explanation. I'm no expert or anything, this information is just based on my own experience

Hats off to you annie! Very good description, Thanks and well done!