Ash Wednesday
- Thread starter M&M's Mommy
- Start date
Doesn't that kind of defeat the purpose? You're not really giving anything up, just postponing it.
And yes it's supposed to be that after 30 days of continuously doing something it becomes set in your mind that this is the way it's supposed to be (habit). Every source I've read says it takes about a month to form a new habit (or break an old one).
And yes it's supposed to be that after 30 days of continuously doing something it becomes set in your mind that this is the way it's supposed to be (habit). Every source I've read says it takes about a month to form a new habit (or break an old one).
I'm not religious either except I might try this. I think everyone should practice self control every now and again. I went vegan about 6 weeks ago (from vegetarianism) and I feel so much better just saying no to some things, chocolate is a big one, as is iced coffee but I really do believe in the reason I'm doing it and it makes me feel a lot better for it.
I might give up coke, coke and I are... involved.
I might give up coke, coke and I are... involved.
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I agree, which is why I am going to give up worrying!
Seriously, I worry about every single thing, every little detail, and obsess over every single little what-if. It's how I am, who I am, and I hate it. I'm going to worry myself into an ulcer one day.
Since I am a Christian, I can truly say that I plan to give up worrying and obsessing, and put things in God's hands.
Hopefully I can make it a habit to be less worried, and more relaxed with life.
Seriously, I worry about every single thing, every little detail, and obsess over every single little what-if. It's how I am, who I am, and I hate it. I'm going to worry myself into an ulcer one day.
Since I am a Christian, I can truly say that I plan to give up worrying and obsessing, and put things in God's hands.
Hopefully I can make it a habit to be less worried, and more relaxed with life.
being pagan we dont do lent...
and personally I dont feel (like with valentines day) there should be one day/specific time frame to practice somehting like self restraint, or thinking of others or showing the people around you how much you love them...
however, as of march 1st i start my "spring rituals" inviting spring in, asking mother earth to awaken form her slumber, spring cleaning of home, mind and body ect.
i have alot of small personal rituals too...like a long clensing bath with products with spring fruit tones, i usually try and get my hair and nails done at this time of year too.
this is the time of year i refrsh my excersize routein...over the winter i tend to slack, and this year i was VERY bad for slacking...so spring brings with it a new excersize routein to stick with (and since spring also brings to me a new puppy they kind of go hand in hand lol)
i also like to plant new seed/repot indoor plants, offering blessings essentially "renweing" them in time for spring.
each year i gift myself with a plant ive always wanted but wouldnt buy for my garden...last year was a lemon tree...this year im hoping to find a star jasmine for in my home...and when i have a physical garden i also get a new "show peice" plant for my garden (cause i plant, split ect all season long outside) last year it was a little pussy willow, wich is in my mums pond side memorial garden...this year i dont have my own garden...but once i do, the first showpeice in ther ewill be peonies!
this is possibly my favorite time of the year, the time of winter sleepyness is now passing and life refreshes...i get seasonal depression so im currently doing the "why isnt spring here yet"
and personally I dont feel (like with valentines day) there should be one day/specific time frame to practice somehting like self restraint, or thinking of others or showing the people around you how much you love them...
however, as of march 1st i start my "spring rituals" inviting spring in, asking mother earth to awaken form her slumber, spring cleaning of home, mind and body ect.
i have alot of small personal rituals too...like a long clensing bath with products with spring fruit tones, i usually try and get my hair and nails done at this time of year too.
this is the time of year i refrsh my excersize routein...over the winter i tend to slack, and this year i was VERY bad for slacking...so spring brings with it a new excersize routein to stick with (and since spring also brings to me a new puppy they kind of go hand in hand lol)
i also like to plant new seed/repot indoor plants, offering blessings essentially "renweing" them in time for spring.
each year i gift myself with a plant ive always wanted but wouldnt buy for my garden...last year was a lemon tree...this year im hoping to find a star jasmine for in my home...and when i have a physical garden i also get a new "show peice" plant for my garden (cause i plant, split ect all season long outside) last year it was a little pussy willow, wich is in my mums pond side memorial garden...this year i dont have my own garden...but once i do, the first showpeice in ther ewill be peonies!
this is possibly my favorite time of the year, the time of winter sleepyness is now passing and life refreshes...i get seasonal depression so im currently doing the "why isnt spring here yet"
If you really take times to find out why us Christians do all the things we do. Maybe then you'll see that it's nothing like what you've made/thought it out to be
Doing something voluntarily out of love, and devotion to the one you love, is far different from doing it out of responsibility, lets alone guilt.
Doing something voluntarily out of love, and devotion to the one you love, is far different from doing it out of responsibility, lets alone guilt.
Well, not all Christians celebrate lent. I'm protestant so we don't. But I did it once before and ended up off cokes for years. I started drinking them again when I went to Europe (dunno why but being out of the country a while made me want a coke so bad)
However, I just did it as a bet against one of my friends so I'm not sure that counts, lol!
I'm protestant so we don't. But I did it once before and ended up off cokes for years. I started drinking them again when I went to Europe (dunno why but being out of the country a while made me want a coke so bad)However, I just did it as a bet against one of my friends so I'm not sure that counts, lol!
May I make a suggestion? For those who don't observe Lent or simply don't believe in God, are of another faith or what have you, start another thread where you can talk about why you don't believe in God, why Christians are all hypocrites, why you believe what you believe, etc. Leave this thread on topic for those who are observing the traditions of Lent to discuss what they are doing to observe this season that is very sacred to Christians.
Thanks.
Thanks.
So you're supposed to give it up for good then? Not just the 40 days?
I guess I'm failing to see why:
1) There has to be a special time set aside for this. You can give stuff up in the other 325 days of the year as well.
2) Why even bother giving it up for 40 days if on day 41 you're just gonna jump back on the horse? A lot of people do this. Not all, but the vast majority I would say.
I guess I'm failing to see why:
1) There has to be a special time set aside for this. You can give stuff up in the other 325 days of the year as well.
2) Why even bother giving it up for 40 days if on day 41 you're just gonna jump back on the horse? A lot of people do this. Not all, but the vast majority I would say.
To answer GO's question - For the same reason why Muslims fast during Ramadan or why Jews don't work on the Sabbath. It's an outward sign of their devotion to something they view as larger than themselves. It is supposed to be a time when something is put aside in favor of prayer/devotion. It's been warped through the years to be a 40 day fad diet. I believe the concept of giving something up during Lent was a Roman Catholic thing initially and not intended as "give up some vice for 40 days" but give up something that is not "sinful" but that you may enjoy doing. Giving up "sinful" things is something Christians are encouraged (directed really, by the scriptures) to do.
Many non-Catholic Christian denominations choose to observe Lent through holding special church services, offering additional devotional/study opportunities, etc. Many churches choose to use Rick Warren's book "The Purpose Driven Life" as a 6 week devotional bible study (calling it the 40 days of purpose program).
Giving up swearing for Lent and then cussing your head off on Pentecost Sunday is not keeping within the spirit of the intentions of the season. Giving up something like watching TV (so you can spend more time in Bible study) or buying games (so you can offer that money to a worth while charity) is keeping within the spirit.
Many non-Catholic Christian denominations choose to observe Lent through holding special church services, offering additional devotional/study opportunities, etc. Many churches choose to use Rick Warren's book "The Purpose Driven Life" as a 6 week devotional bible study (calling it the 40 days of purpose program).
Giving up swearing for Lent and then cussing your head off on Pentecost Sunday is not keeping within the spirit of the intentions of the season. Giving up something like watching TV (so you can spend more time in Bible study) or buying games (so you can offer that money to a worth while charity) is keeping within the spirit.
eddie q thus far i havent seen anyone bashing in this thread not one ounce of christians are hypocrites.
GO posed the question of why?
i posed that while i dont follow lent that i do feel this is a good time to "refresh"
thus far i dont see anything that should be "take it elsewhere" worthy...
since after all, LENT is just a ritual, everyone, religious or not has their "rituals"
and i do have to agree with GO on this, i personally dont understand why these good intentions should only be displayed during the days of lent?
shouldnt they be a perminent thing? why this month? why not 2 months on tuesday?! what about your bithday? or xmas ect...
GO posed the question of why?
i posed that while i dont follow lent that i do feel this is a good time to "refresh"
thus far i dont see anything that should be "take it elsewhere" worthy...
since after all, LENT is just a ritual, everyone, religious or not has their "rituals"
and i do have to agree with GO on this, i personally dont understand why these good intentions should only be displayed during the days of lent?
shouldnt they be a perminent thing? why this month? why not 2 months on tuesday?! what about your bithday? or xmas ect...
