And Then There Was Lent...

Today is Ash Wednesday. Yesterday was Fat Tuesday. I did not eat a paczki. The thought of one just made me feel nauseous. I guess the modern idea is to stuff up and then give something up during this time. When I was a child, I gave up chocolate once. It was the hardest thing I ever gave up, and I had half of my mother's freezer full of chocolate by the time Lent was over, and you know what? I could not hardly eat any of it afterwords! I guess my body had rid itself of that need. Although all of this is true, I now know what the Lenten season is about. 40 days (excluding Sundays for those of you who want to "cheat"...ok just kidding about the cheating). This 40 days before Easter represent many things. It represents the 40 years the Israelites spent wandering in the wilderness before coming to the promised land. It represents the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert being tempted of all sorts and he did not give in. It represents making a sacrifice as Christ made the sacrifice of Himself for our lives before He rose again on the third day...Easter Sunday as we know it. And the best way most of us know how to spend this 40 days is by giving something up of ourselves. Regardless of your faith or your religion, you probably recognize this time somehow. Even if it's just a small mention in a conversation. Our church doesn't really "celebrate" Lent, but I know that it has great meaning. So I have decided to give something up. Just because it is good to get into the habit of doing something to change a habit. I have decided to give up pop. (soda or coke for all ya'll who don't like the word "pop" haha). I could really do this at any time, but doing it at this time makes me focus more on it. Pop is so bad for me. I don't even really like it that much, but I find myself reaching for another can everyday. It makes my stomach hurt, it makes my body ache...because I choose to drink that forbidden d-i-e-t soda. Yep, I do. and I LOVE it! So hopefully I can keep my hands off the pop when I am out and about. Hubby is giving up pop to, and we are going to put all of our pop in the basement so it is out of reach because we have to think before going down there. Hopefully along with giving up pop I can start getting active of some sort and lose a little unneeded weight. That would be a great goal. But if nothing else, at least I will be a little healthier and maybe my body won't ache so much. It's not like I am giving up food or breathing or anything like that...this should be a piece of cake...right?