Lent has begun; the period of forty days, not counting Sundays, prior to Easter. Traditionally Lent has been a time of sacrifice and introspection. For some it seems to be about giving up something. For others it is about focusing on God. For me it is about making a change that enables me to better focus on my physical and/or spiritual and/or mental best.
Anyone remember Lent last year? It was the lentiest Lent I have ever lented. (For my Muslim friends it was followed by the most ramadany Ramadan they ever ramadanned.) And it seemed to be more about giving up than about focusing on being a better version of me. In some ways it feels like last Lent is still going on, though over the course of the year I have been able to shift from what has been taken away to what I have been able to add.
The early days of last week, when I usually finalize my plan for my own Lenten practice, I realized that continuing what I'm doing daily in this season of pandemic is plenty. Surprisingly, I didn't have to convince myself it was enough. Thankfully I didn't feel like I was cheating. These days, weeks, and months have been hard. The habits I have added to my life I am thankful for. There is plenty I continue to give up.
The lenty feeling won't evaporate when Easter arrives this year, but the light at the end of the tunnel will be even brighter than it is today.
"In some ways, it feels like last Lent is still going on" - a keen observation. The pandemic has certainly deepened the focus on spiritual welfare in addition to the physical, something that the original fasting behind Lent and Ramadan exemplify. The thankfulness - that's at the core, a vital part, an act of faith in itself
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