Lenten Plans 2012
So, Lent is finally among us yet again. Its that time of year that I have a love/hate relationship with. I love Lent because it allows me to take control of my life once again. I give up a lot of things that I have determined to be not good for me, and I overall become a better person. I always fall back into the trap of self-indulgence over some time period AFTER Lent is over, but I’ve noticed in past years it takes longer and longer before I give in. I hate Lent because, well, I always feel under attack. I feel like a weight is crushing me more and more and that weight doesn’t remove itself until Christ has risen on Easter. Good Friday and Holy Saturday are quite possibly the worst days of the year in my opinion.
I’ve talked before about what you should consider giving up and how there are 4 aspects to each person that we should consider when Lent comes. We should be always mindful of these 4, just because it will make us a better person year round, but I digress. Those 4 things were: Mental, Physical, Spiritual, and Emotional. You can read more about that post here.
This year I’m doing I suppose something similar to last year, although I suppose its a bit more intense as it will be on a regular basis. Last year some of what I gave up were only on certain days (pushups and situps every other day) where as now what I’m doing is all of my goals EVERY DAY.
17 Day Diet– No beef, no sugar, no non-wheat products, no cheese. Pretty much I’m only allowed to eat chicken, pork, turkey, wheat products, vegetables, fruits, yogurt and that’s about it. I’ve done this diet before and it works well at losing weight. I’m going to add prayer to it and do this for the duration of Lent (40 days). (Physical, Giving Up)
P90-X– This is an intense workout and I actually have already started it. I’m noticing how much healthier my body has become in just the 3 workouts that I already have done. I played basketball yesterday and wasn’t as tired as I have been before, but of course, I did suffer an embarrassing injury that side-lined me for the rest of the game. (Physical, Adding)
Scripture– Again, I tried this last year and don’t know what happened, I just stopped I guess. I did start at the beginning of the year and yet again, stopped. I love reading it, I just never can force myself to pick it up. Go figure. (Spiritual, Adding).
I am missing two things from the list of four I gave. I’m not doing anything mental (har har) this Lent as I read at lunch and during the day. I’m not really sure how I could add to this. I suppose I cold make sure I do it every day, but I figure some days I just need to break. Also, with a wedding coming up, I figure I shouldn’t play around with my emotional health too much, as I’m stressed as it is. This year has been super rough in that department, and God has done a lot of work at allowing me to grow in maturity. I don’t need to play around here.
Hopefully you all have a great Lent. I will get back into discussing mortal and venial sin shortly.