What are you giving up for Lent?

[IdaBWells]

For those who are unfamiliar with Lent it is a Christian tradition observed in all the orthodox (in belief) churches such as the Catholics and the Orthodox and some Protestant churches. It runs for 40 days from Ash Wednesday which this year is Wednesday March 6th until Easter.

It is called Ash Wednesday as the priest burns down the Palms from the previous years Palm Sunday to ashes. Then when we go to church on Ash Wednesday during the Mass everyone comes up and the priest makes the sign of the cross with ashes on our forehead and says a blessing such as: "You are from dust and to dust you will return" or "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the gospel:". To remind us of our own mortality and not to wait to turn to God.

It is a time of preparation for the great celebration of Easter by drawing closer to God in prayer, giving alms to the poor, serving those in need and making sacrifices as a form of penance and also self-discipline. We also fast on certain days through Lent, a strict fast is on bread and water only but otherwise you can give up meat or some other food that would be a personal sacrifice. Jesus told us that some situations would only change with prayer and fasting. I find when I fast it helps me focus my mind on God.

We usually are encouraged to give something up as a short time sacrifice and also to add something to our lives that will help us draw closer to God.

I think I will give up posting on a number of forums and newspapers that I read. I think I will be highly tempted to give my mega important opinion !!

I am still contemplating number two ....

What about you?

I'm abstaining from eating meat and also from sugar in coffee. I'm also pondering reducing online time, as I'm finding myself white hot angry so much, and part of the point of fasting is to deal with the out-of-control passions within.

I'm thinking of cutting down the number of calories I eat (like to under 1000 a day) or not eating after a certain time or fasting certain days. I might give up drinking tea for the duration (do my bladder the world of good!!). I'm hoping to attend more of the Lent course meetings & Lent/Easter services this year as part of the bringing me closer to God. More religious reading, less wasting time on Mumsnet!
I've actually made the effort to post less because it can make me so angry - now I'll think again and leave a thread instead as much as possible.

Sunbathing.

Lifecraft

I'm going to try and attend church everyday, as far as possible. Our cathedral has a very full programme of services.
I'm not using the Internet for anything except email.
I'm not eating meat or drinking alcohol
Lent didn't mean much to me until, last year when I attended a wonderful Ash Wednesday service which made me want to observe Lent properly.

My grandad was a vicar and used to encourage his congregation to do something extra each day to help others that you wouldn't normally do. So I try to do that each year...I have zero willpower so I'm more successful at doing that than giving up chocolate or wine!

I am in the USA so am going to midday Mass in 3 hrs and will receive my ashes then.

Still clarifying what I'm giving up for Lent. I'm hoping to pray each night with DH and our 3 teens. I think we will just reflect on the Catholic scripture readings of the day to keep it easy. I always love to hear what our teens receive from scripture - very moving. Then we'll pray for each other. They are already doing service work but I'm not so I could add something.

My eldest has come off all social media for Lent. She's currently laying on her bed moaning softly about how bored she is