I hold a lot more stock in the belief of Karma. That you should treat people how you would like to be treated and do unto others what you would do unto yourself. Based on this belief and the happenings and treatment of the last few years, I have some wonderful things coming my way. I just wish they would come now. I also wish that others felt the same way about karma.
So at the beginning of the year, I decided I'd explore faith and try to get back to church...along with yoga and meditation to come to center. The church I go to isn't close so it's a commitment each Sunday to go but it's a little easier if I have plans after or a buddy to go with. One of my new friends is doing the same resolution so we try to meet up and go together. Sometimes other plans get in the way. But it's been a nice exploration so far.
Last Wednesday was the beginning of Lent and so I decided to give up sugar for the following 40 days. I love sugar but I've been finding that I look for something sweet after every meal and that probably isn't helping my weight loss resolution any, especially since I've fallen off the gym wagon. So no sugar for coffee (Splenda ok), no hard candy, no baked sweets and very limited chocolate. I would say no chocolate but I have a stash of Luna and Kashi bars that have chocolate in them plus I pre-paid weeks ago for my ticket to the Chocolate Salon on Sunday.
I'm already dreaming of cupcakes and peanut M&Ms and I'm only 6 days into this little challenge of mine! I hope I survive til Easter! I think I'll have to treat myself to a coconut cupcake at the end of Lent.
Is anyone else giving up something for Lent?
Until next time...
23 comments:
Chocolate! boo hoo! That's what I'm giving up and trust me I have my period...so let's just leave it at that! >:/
But oooooo now that you mention cupcakes, I would love a chocolate cupcake with peanut butter icing. DROOL!
Forgive me for being really dumb here, but is Lent a Catholic thing? If it is then that's probably why I haven't observed it. I often hear of people "giving something up for Lent". I always admire them for such commitment and determination.
I hope you are able to accomplish this goal of no sugar and I am SO happy to hear of your resolution to attend a church. My husband and I also would like to find a church but it seems that most churches here in the south are very different than the ones I am used to further north.
Nope, not Catholic, don't do lent. lol! I don't know if I could give something up for 40 days. Did you see Stephen Colbert? He's giving up high five-ing Conquistadors. :D
Kudos to you for giving something up! I am Lutheran and we observe Lent but I didn't give anything up this year.. I probably should've given up facebook. lol I am so glad to hear you are giving church another chance. My husband has had kind of the same mindset you had and I wish he would go back. :/
Good luck with all your Lenten goals!
I grew up in a Methodist church and our paster always talked about Jesus sacraficing his life for us, but it was never a practice of ours to give up anything.
Though this year I decided that if he could sacrafice for me I could give up wine.... UGH! lets just say that it did not work out to well... Good for you I think we all need to do this every once in awhile not only is a good plan but when it comes time to have it again you will appreciate it so much more :) Best of luck!!
Good luck Valerie! I dont get very far on my New Years Resolutions, so why bother with Lent? Although, I guess it could be practice for next year. :)
Well, as you know I'm Orthodox, we do Lent very seriously...or some of us do anyways. We started our lent this week and there is no dairy, meat, fish, poultry, etc so I can't say how well I'm doing at this point!! I've made borscht, ate vegan sushi, hummus, good stuff...but I've had french fries...which is my weakness!! I know you can do it if I can eliminate a majority of GOOD food!! It's also a spiritual fast...where we look inwards and try and work on ourselves and how we treat others!!
You need encouragement or a boost drop me a line!! You can do it Valerie!!
As soon as you turn something into a no-no it is of course all you can think of. Change the thought process from no chocolate for lent to something more positive. eE.G I will lose five pounds for lent and treat myself to some sugar at the end so instead of being a punishment, it becomes a treat.
You will have to work out what wording to use but I am sure you will come up with something...and this switching of mindset is a form a karma as well lol. I keep my faith between God and myself. I cannot believe he would make such a beautiful, wonderful world and then be bothered by man-made labels. Enjoy your journey though: like you said...eveything we go through makes us stronger and I am sure this will too. Good grief..this is all a bit serious for me rofl....if it makes you feel better I cannot each chocolate at all now....it can be done !!!! lol
I'm not Catholic so I don't observe lent either. When I became a christian, I gave up my life then and it's kind of an every day thing for me as God leads. The "do unto others" quote is actually from the bible - words of Jesus himself. I do hope you find what you're looking for. xx
I hope you manage to achieve your goal Valerie.
It's nice that you have a friend to accompany you on a Sunday to church.
I'm a yoga and meditation girl too, keeps me on the straight and narrow and stress free most of the time.
Valerie good luck on your journey. I wish you well!!!
Linda
Good luck with the giving up of sugar, that's a tough one. We're not Catholic but from an early age my son has given up something for Lent each year. He was inspired to do this when he was at primary school and has stuck with it ever since.
That's awesome Valerie! I know I wouldn't be able to give up sugar. NO WAY, NO HOW! LOL! Good luck.
Couldn't do chocolate, but I did basically give up fast food. I had one slip, but back on the wagon today. And it didn't even taste good, LOL.
I guess the idea of giving something up for Lent is to have it be something that you will truly miss so your choice of sugar is an admirable one, Valerie. I'm not Catholic, so haven't given anything up--maybe I should try it. It certainly would make you think about your relationship with whatever you chose to give up... Good luck :)
I gave up Starbuck's Mocha Frappacinos and it's killing me. I did have one - a small one - one day as I relapsed with this danged cold and was feeling sorry for myself! But I gotta tell you - it's hard staying away from those things!
I gave up chocolate candy and my favorite carmel flavored creamer. Happy to hear you are trying to get back in the habit of going to church.
I grew up in a Jewish household and went through every life-cycle event. As soon as I was out of the house and on my own, I questioned my and other religions. Over the years I have developed my own type of spirituality and relationship with a Higher Power...through meditations (by journalling, stitching, etc) and through nature (taking walks, hikes, biking, etc). For me, having the freedom to commune with nature was more moving than all the structure I guess. Anyway...I am glad that you are taking time out to revisit church and that you found someone to take the jouney with.
I have never participated in Lent, although throughout my years I have always given up something in order to achieve a "girlish figure".
Take care my friend...you seem to be on a very good path!
I'm not Catholic, so I haven't given up anything for Lent, but I cheer you on. You can do it!
I do know, however, where your "do unto others..." came from..it's from the Bible. :-) Matthew 7:12
I didn't give up anything this year. We aren't Catholic so it really isn't expected, but some years I do give up something just to meet the challenge.
I'm a big believer that you should treat people the way you would like to be treated, but I admit to not being able to meet that goal ALL the time.
Good luck with your sugar abstinence. I'm sure you'll do fine. Me, I'd rather have fruit than candy/cakes.
I don't practice lent, so I'm not giving anything up.
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