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Original poster

LENT - what are you hoping to give up?

33 replies

donnie · 04/02/2008 14:44

I haven't decided yet! thought I'd go for something subtle this year like not trying not to get angry with the dds for 40 days ( some hops...)

anyone else?

OP posts:
Original poster
donnie · 04/02/2008 14:45

oops trying NOT to get angry, of course!

OP posts:
Niecie · 04/02/2008 14:49

I was just going to start a similar thread.

I'm giving up obvious stuff like biscuits and sweets. I have a serious wine gum/jelly sweet habit so quite hard.

DH is giving up beer but not really a stretch as he only has a couple of bottles a week.

You could take something up instead of giving some thing up. I should take up running to go along with the healthier eating but that might be taking things too far.

NineUnlikelyTales · 04/02/2008 14:50

I am giving up tv and internet and yes, that includes MN. I am fantasising about all the wonderful things I am going to do with my time for those 40 days.

NineUnlikelyTales · 04/02/2008 14:51

Whereas in reality I will be re-reading back issues of Take a Break.

Original poster
donnie · 04/02/2008 14:52

I ought to give up wine but I like it too much!

OP posts:
PuppyMonkey · 04/02/2008 14:56

I am hopefully going to give up being ill...

My lot have had one thing after another since mid November and it's getting ridiculous now.. colds, flu, sickness, the runs, colds, flu, the runs, sickness. Just spent three days in bed with flu and got up this am only to throw my guts up. TMI.

Anyway, I'm back to my pre pregnancy weight after 10 months... every cloud eh?

MaryBS · 04/02/2008 20:22

Sarcasm.

I did this a couple of years ago, and it was really tough, but I think it DID improve me, spiritually, although obviously it didn't last, otherwise I wouldn't be doing it again .

Plus its quite entertaining when people try to provoke you into failing!

Niecie · 04/02/2008 20:47

Mary that must be really hard - I wouldn't even notice I was doing it, let alone be able to give it up.

Makes my biscuits and sweets sound really shallow.

BeeEm · 04/02/2008 20:48

not going to give up anything. Am going to make a concerted effort to be nicer to everyone.

tizzyinadizzy · 05/02/2008 12:06

mumsnet

bobsmum · 05/02/2008 12:14

Started a thread the other day about this if anyone's interested

MaryAnnSingleton · 05/02/2008 12:18

chocolate...see my thread...

MaryAnnSingleton · 05/02/2008 12:19

giving up chocolate for Lent thread

Wolfgirl · 05/02/2008 12:29

Isnt Lent meant to be an act of self-sacrifice with purely unselfish or self-interest motives? i.e giving up chocolate cos you might lose a bit of weight whilst your at it?

Im a christian, and have never participated in the Lent thang, purely because I could not say, hand on heart, that my motives would be sacrificial.

This is not a dig! not at all. In fact, more questioning. I found this info on the net if anyone interested....

What is LENT

I dont think the act is Biblical, but was introduced in the early church after Christs death. So that in mind, I've not felt obliged to participate. (could be wrong here, and happy to be put right )

.... this year... I think I just might. But I will be checking my motives and try and give something up that is of quality use, such as something I might be addicted to, like Mumsnet, or NCIS, or buying too many clothes for the kids.... seriously, these are big addictions for me

Like someone said earlier, it will be interesting if I do give up my little luxuries, to see how my family fare in the long run.

Ive really ranted on - havent I

MaryAnnSingleton · 05/02/2008 12:31

I do the chocolate thing because I like a bit of shriving and self discipline and I think some bit of my Catholic upbringing kicks in.

McDreamy · 05/02/2008 12:35

I'm giving up chocolate and it's going to be really hard but I am determined to do it! I have posted on your thread Mary!!

JingleyJen · 05/02/2008 12:35

Wolfgirl-
my understanding pretty much follows this

Lent, in most Christian denominations, is the forty-day liturgical season of fasting and prayer before Easter.[1] The forty days represent the time Jesus spent in the desert, where, according to the Bible, he endured temptation by Satan.[2] Different churches will calculate the forty days differently.

The purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer?through prayer, penitence, almsgiving and self-denial?for the annual commemoration of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, as celebrated during Holy Week, which recalls the events linked to the Passion of Christ and culminates in Easter, the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Wolfgirl · 05/02/2008 12:38

Jingley... but is it Biblical? Is it a command of Jesus or St.Paul...or any of the Apostles? Do you know? would be interested to find out... bit lacking in knowledge this end

marina · 05/02/2008 12:39

Am there with you Mary, chocolate is something I really enjoy and it will do me a lot of good to manage without it for 40 days. Have also signed up to Bobsmum's link for the TearFund Carbon Fast, it's a great idea

MaryAnnSingleton · 05/02/2008 12:41

yes, I enjoy chocolate and do have some every day, so I do think it's a good thing to give up - I love coffee too with a passion but I think that'd flip me over the edge to try for two things. I gave up crisps one year but that wasn't as hard as I don't eat them as often.

Buda · 05/02/2008 12:47

Have signed up to Bobsmum's link too.

Am toying between giving up wine or bread. Either will be hard and not sure I can do both! And although they are sort of selfish reasons - both to do with my health/weight issues I would like to get back some of the willpower of my Catholic upbringing when I gave up sweets and chocolate every year.

JingleyJen · 05/02/2008 12:48

no don't think it was Jesus or St Paul will go search I think it was the early church (ie pre 325ad) that started the fasting for 40 hours I think it has developed from that. - Am going to call friend who is a theologian at Cambridge Uni.

EzrasMummy · 05/02/2008 13:05

Im giving up sweets and cakes and biscuits. (dont eat chocolate anyway - migraines, so theres a start!)

My 7 yr old will give up sweets. he did it when he was 5 and he would even give sweets to me when he got them! its his choice again this year too. Its going to be hard for both of us but we'll make it!

1dilemma · 06/02/2008 00:26

OK thinking about chocolate, crisps, alcohol and

mumsnet
will I manange it?(please don't think I'm rude if I don't reply)

Bouncingturtle · 06/02/2008 08:15

Chocolate, crisps and biscuits.
But I definitely take Wolfgirl's point.

In my case I'm going to give up road rage

I've always said that I'm a devout Christian... except when I get behind the wheel of a car
Hand on heart I am a careful driver, but I am so easily wound up by other people's driving habits, e.g tail gating, not indicating properly, being harrassed by exec saloons when I'm overtaking lorries. So the aim is to stay calm and not swear in the car, or react angrily to others' bad driving. And to be more courteous myself.

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