NBR - Lent

TaylorHam86

For those of you that observe Lent and give something up (or another avenue of participating), what are you doing this year? 

Two years ago I gave up sweets, and last year I gave up gossiping. I felt like not gossiping was much more difficult. This year I thought about giving up something else intangible, like complaining, but that would just be too much to expect from a 3rd tri version of me. It'd be hard enough not being KU. 

There are also a lot of good ideas out there of things you can start doing, versus giving something up.

Just curious. What's your plan?

andoll8

for the last 2 years, i've given up facebook adn text messaging. i think it was more painful for everyone else than me. all of a sudden, everyone was like "but, how will we get in touch with you?!!?" they forgot about phone calls, IMing, emailing, f2f conversations, etc. 

giving these things up was a small way to remove technology from my life for a while and reconnect with people in more physical (and, for me, meaningful) ways.

until tomorrow: "laissez roulez le bons temps!"

awc1986

I'm not a Christian and don't observe lent, but I'm just wondering if you guys have shrove Tuesday (aka pancake day). It marks the start of lent here, but it's basically an excuse for most of us to eat pancakes.

Edit: by here I mean the UK

lv2011

awc1986 said:

I'm not a Christian and don't observe lent, but I'm just wondering if you guys have shrove Tuesday (aka pancake day). It marks the start of lent here, but it's basically an excuse for most of us to eat pancakes. Edit: by here I mean the UK

We have "Fat Tuesday", and the Polish community have Paczki Day. It's basically an excuse to eat doughnuts and everything unhealthy the day before Lent begins and traditional fasting takes over.

I'm probably going to give up swearing/ cursing this Lent. My potty mouth has been bad lately!

AnnieA75

I'm old school and still observe lent...to some degree, like a good Catholic girl. I don't eat meat on Ash Wednesday or on Fridays in Lent. We'll try to go to church every weekend now through Easter, which we should be doing anyways, but I haven't pushed going because it's a little bit of a circus with an almost 2 year old. It's the truth, but still not a good enough excuse. So, I think we're going to try going this Saturday evening. I haven't picked something to give up yet...need to figure it out today. Maybe I'll give up ice cream or chocolate....gasp! Both would help my growing waistline.

I need to figure out what to have for Fat Tuesday dinner!

awc1986

lv2011 said:

awc1986 said:

I'm not a Christian and don't observe lent, but I'm just wondering if you guys have shrove Tuesday (aka pancake day). It marks the start of lent here, but it's basically an excuse for most of us to eat pancakes.

Edit: by here I mean the UK

We have "Fat Tuesday", and the Polish community have Paczki Day. It's basically an excuse to eat doughnuts and everything unhealthy the day before Lent begins and traditional fasting takes over.

I'm probably going to give up swearing/ cursing this Lent. My potty mouth has been bad lately!


Oh, I like to call that "3rd trimester".

Bootsie327

I'm not really religious at all, but I usually give up candy as an excuse to make one simple healthy change. This year, there's no way. Haha

andoll8

Overeating (and drinking) is a typical part of Shrove Tuesday and Mardi Gras celebrations. I'm also Catholic, albiet "cafeteria style", and my parish has a pancake dinner tonight (and every year on Shrove Tuesday). 

Even if me and H don't go to the parish dinner, we always have breakfast for dinner on Shrove Tuesday followed by usual Mardi Gras shinnanigans. Unfortunately, this year will be a bit dull for me.

bumpuser9353653

I don't eat meat on Ash Wednesday or Fridays. Last year I made a point to go to mass every Sunday.

Not sure what I'll do this year. We are headed out of town tomorrow through next Wednesday so probably won't make it to church either tomorrow or Sunday. I'd say I would give up FB, but I spend more time on here these days, that I don't think anyone would miss me on FB.

TaylorHam86

We are Presbyterian, so while our church "observes" Lent, we don't really do anything. We have Ash Wednesday service, Good Friday service, Palm Sunday, and Easter Sunday, and we cover all the scriptures but not much more. We're not "required" to give something up; it usually isn't mentioned in worship service. Some people do. I think it's a good spiritual practice no matter what your denomination is. We talk more about Lent as a time to re-focus on our relationship with God. 

In keeping with that, for my youth group this year, I'm asking my teenagers to do a Lenten photo challenge since they all love Instagram. I hope they will participate during at least a few of the 40+ days. Even if they're not all active participants, hopefully they will look at each other's photo interpretations. A few extra seconds of spiritual reflection is better than none. 

I've never had pancakes on Shrove Tuesday (I don't think our church usually includes Tuesday/Mardi Gras) but now I really want some!

limechiffon

Thank you for the reminder - I really should do something this year, what with myself becoming a parent and all. I think I will try attending daily mass reasonably often (not necessarily every day), I work downtown and there is a church walking distance, so it's actually not that difficult for me to make it at lunch.

Also my dog would like to wish everyone a Happy Paczki Day

 

ArmyMedic7588

lv2011 said:

awc1986 said:

I'm not a Christian and don't observe lent, but I'm just wondering if you guys have shrove Tuesday (aka pancake day). It marks the start of lent here, but it's basically an excuse for most of us to eat pancakes. Edit: by here I mean the UK

We have "Fat Tuesday", and the Polish community have Paczki Day. It's basically an excuse to eat doughnuts and everything unhealthy the day before Lent begins and traditional fasting takes over.

I'm probably going to give up swearing/ cursing this Lent. My potty mouth has been bad lately!

We have this in central Pa where I grew up in a big dutch community. We call it Faschnaut Day... same thing with the donuts. OMG I miss Faschnauts, Jersey people have no clue what they are and look at me like I'm crazy.

Unknown

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spacepotatoes

I've been thinking about this too. We are Catholic but haven't been very diligent about observing lent since leaving Catholic school. I try to be, since I teach in that system, but I could do better.

We usually do pancakes on Shrove Tuesday and try to go meatless on Ash Wednesday. We don't abstain from meat during lent otherwise, though, just on Good Friday.

In terms of giving up something, pretty much everything I came up with was something that would be extra challenging to give up when this pregnant. The other side to fasting/abstaining, though, is alms giving and I think I may just turn my focus in that direction instead for this year. Try to give more to worthy causes during this season and just be more generous in general - with my time, patience, whatever someone needs that I may be able to give.

Hedgessm

I also generally give something up and don't eat meat on Ash Wed or Friday. I trying to decide what to do this year. Does giving up my body count or wine?? :P

@spacepotatoes i like your idea of focusing on more on alms

likeabel

Let's see... I'm giving up soft cheeses, lunch meat, alcohol, limiting excess sugar, sushi, rare meat, my body... I think God will let it slide if I just stick to these

kristine526

likeabel said:

Let's see... I'm giving up soft cheeses, lunch meat, alcohol, limiting excess sugar, sushi, rare meat, my body... I think God will let it slide if I just stick to these

Lol... Probably this. I do need to knock off the swearing though, so maybe I'll work on that. I'll probably work on that whole "going to church" thing too.

kat8805

awc1986 said:

I'm not a Christian and don't observe lent, but I'm just wondering if you guys have shrove Tuesday (aka pancake day). It marks the start of lent here, but it's basically an excuse for most of us to eat pancakes. Edit: by here I mean the UK

"Hell, I thought every day was National Pancake Day."

reneewhite90

TaylorHam86 said:

We are Presbyterian, so while our church "observes" Lent, we don't really do anything. We have Ash Wednesday service, Good Friday service, Palm Sunday, and Easter Sunday, and we cover all the scriptures but not much more. We're not "required" to give something up; it usually isn't mentioned in worship service. Some people do. I think it's a good spiritual practice no matter what your denomination is. We talk more about Lent as a time to re-focus on our relationship with God. 

In keeping with that, for my youth group this year, I'm asking my teenagers to do a Lenten photo challenge since they all love Instagram. I hope they will participate during at least a few of the 40+ days. Even if they're not all active participants, hopefully they will look at each other's photo interpretations. A few extra seconds of spiritual reflection is better than none. 

I've never had pancakes on Shrove Tuesday (I don't think our church usually includes Tuesday/Mardi Gras) but now I really want some!

I absolutely love the photo challenge idea. Such a creative, modern way to get teenagers to participate.

We're Catholic and take part in fasting for Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and no meat every Friday during Lent. I would love to do no Facebook as it's truly challenging for me, but with our FB group being such a postive outlet for me and this pregnancy, I don't find that it'd be a good thing to focus on.

Previous years I've done no fast food and soda, but that wouldn't be too difficult this year since I haven't been doing much of that anyway.

Being on bed rest has made this difficult this year! I could try something very hard like... Be nicer to DH even when he is being lazy, frustrating turd!

mrspopsicle

We are catholic and I usually give up shopping (not really shopping but actually buying anything other than necessities)for lent. I will probably just try to limit spending this year because I've hardly bought anything yet for baby.

We also usually do not eat meat on Ash Wednesday and Fridays during lent. However, due to GD, I'm worried about not getting enough protien without meat so I won't do that this year.

Kate070

awc1986 said:

I'm not a Christian and don't observe lent, but I'm just wondering if you guys have shrove Tuesday (aka pancake day). It marks the start of lent here, but it's basically an excuse for most of us to eat pancakes. Edit: by here I mean the UK

Just lurking on this thread as Lent isn't part of my religion, but I had to comment on this.  As an American who used to live in the UK, you just reminded me of some fantastic stuff I left behind. No, we don't do it over here, but damnit, now I need pancakes!

ErikaLynn75

Well, I'm not Catholic, but I failed my GTT last week and I'm taking the diabetes education class on Thursday, so it looks like I'll be giving up sweets for lent... perfect timing.

Xath

I come from a mixed religious household (mom's side is Catholic, dad's side is Jewish), so we never did Lent.  But a FB friend of mine posted the below today, and it sounds like a fantastic idea, so I'm in.  It's written for Lent, but other friends are calling it the "Purim to Passover Purge" so I guess it works for both sides of the family.  

https://www.whitehouseblackshutters.com/40-bags-in-40-days-2014/

spacepotatoes

gertiebarden said:

I come from a mixed religious household (mom's side is Catholic, dad's side is Jewish), so we never did Lent.  But a FB friend of mine posted the below today, and it sounds like a fantastic idea, so I'm in.  It's written for Lent, but other friends are calling it the "Purim to Passover Purge" so I guess it works for both sides of the family.  

https://www.whitehouseblackshutters.com/40-bags-in-40-days-2014/

That is a great idea! We need to purge a lot from our closets and basement to make room for baby things so something like this would be a great motivator. I've only gotten one dresser done so far.

bam326

We celebrate Fat Tuesday with a King Cake and I had pancakes for dinner. This year I am giving up my nightly sweet after dinner with the exception of plain fruit. This way I won't reach for the ice cream or cookies that I usually have each night and choose a more healthy option. 

Jillzy86

I'm going Glutten Free and giving up sweets except for fruit. We will see how long I actually last... [-O<

awisern

Just an fyi, pregnant women are exempt from fasting and no meat in the catholic faith....as well as young children and old people.

TaylorHam86

ashtog said:

I'm giving up online shopping this year because THAT has been a vice of mine lately, My hubby is giving up a game he plays online, DS#1 is giving up chocolate, DD is giving up cake specifically and said she will just eat muffins instead (she's 6 so I thought that was adorable) and DS#2 said he was giving up his batman cave toy (he's 4 and doesn't quite get it yet lol)

You know what, that's a really good idea. We have a few more purchases that will probably be made online (like nursery furniture) but I can make DH do that. I've been spending way too much money lately!

ETA and your kids' choices are so cute!

lindseylu10

Anyone else feel like steak tastes better on Fridays during Lent... I always feel very smug while I eat delicious meat during Lent.

AnnieA75

Ok, I finally settled on what to give up for Lent...ice cream. I'm probably out of my mind! Hopefully I can stick to it.

Jillzy86

I went to the Saint Louis Cathedral for mass ( not my regular church) and the cardnal giving the mass wanted everyone to focus on giving back the way Jesus did. He thought adding something transformational to the traditional, making Lent a preparation for a lifetime of giving back and showing love to one another would be a better focus for us as Catholics. So if you aren't interested in giving up anything then add something positive everyday to during lent.