How do I sacrifice a cold/melancholy heart?

[Lou_F]

How do I become someone I’m normally not? My views in accord with the Church are known to my family & friends. Because I have at times been outspoken about the views of the Church, they view me as boring, not fun anymore. Often I am, because I’m so used to my everyday lifestyle that is quite simple and boring.

Usually I sacrifice certain foods & certain music for lent. I really would like to sacrifice being melancholy more so. But how? Sacrificing the things I enjoy is easy for me (remember I’m melancholy a lot) I hate to offer something up I’m not good at because I hate failing God. It would be better if I could help my family & friends enjoy my company more. Is lent a time to be more radiant with God’s joy than to sacrifice? What do you suggest?

 

[Trishie]

In addition to your other sacrifices, yes making extra effort towards others’ happiness and well-being is a good idea, afer all, Jesus did tell us to love others.

The following poem “But” was written by a Divine Word Missionary, inspiring us to love of others, even in the smallest gestures of human kindness.

It was only a sunny smile,
And little it cost in the giving;
But it scattered the night
Like morning light,
And made the day worth living.
Through life’s dark warp a woof it wove
In shining colours of hope and love;
And the angels smiled as they watched above,
Yet little it cost in the giving.

It was only a kindly word,
a word that was lightly spoken;
But not in vain,
For it stilled the pain
Of a heart that was nearly broken
It strengthened a faith beset with fears,
And groping blindly through mists of tears,
For light to brighten the coming years,
Although it was lightly spoken.

It was only a helping hand
And it seemed of little availing;
But its clasp was warm,
And it saved from harm
A brother whose strength was failing.
Its touch was tender as angels’ wings
But it rolled the stone from the hidden springs
And pointed the way to higher things,
Though it seemed of little availing.