What are you giving up for Lent?

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total_Catholic said:
I am giving up sodas, both regular and diet. Would give up beer, but…hey… LOL! I think sodas are much worse. God bless us this Lent.
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I’m giving up …driving trailer trucks and eating watermelon! Gonna be tough~:rolleyes:
 
I’ve decided to participate in Lent this year, even though I’m not Catholic. So, I’m giving up computer games. I’m going to spend the couple of hours I would normally spend gaming at night reading some books on Catholicism, saying the rosary, and doing an act of mercy or something like making extra dinner and taking it to our neighbor who is having a hard time.
 
Neofight said:
I was going to give up CAF…I may still take a break, but after reading Pope Francis’ point that fasting (although abstinence seems to be the same) is meaningless, unless what we are giving up benefits someone in need.

So, chocolate and beer (things I have given up for Lent in the past) is meaningless unless you are giving the chocolate you are giving up to a hungry person, or the beer to someone thirsting…I guess the other ways around it would be to take the money you would have spent on chocolate or beer and donating it to a person in need, or an organization providing for those in need.

Peace and all good!
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I don’t know the exact reference, but I did a general search and found, among other things, this recent thread about a 2015 article:

Time Mag: Lent and Papa Francis

Are you referring to what he said there or something like it? If so, I don’t interpret it to mean that such benefits to others come only through donating a given item, its monetary equivalent, or something similar. I say, instead, that it warns us against merely superficial efforts that do nothing for other people–and this benefit to other people may come through other ways besides donations.
 
Buying from the snack machine at work. As I work shifts and have meals at “odd” times, it will be a mild form of fasting, be good for my health, and the money saved can be donated to charity.
 
Hello.

I am going to try to give up excessive TV and time on the computer - I get too tired with all the time spent doing nothing and then I’m of no use anywhere.

Did watch some TV after working 36+ hours in 3 days though. Fell asleep watching it.
 
I gave up gaming for Lent (I am so glad I started playing because I have a new thing to give up), I also listen to no music apart from the songs used for my fitness training (I do not listen to much music nowadays, mostly a film soundtrack here and there when I am translating, but nevertheless I feel that music is totally incompatible with Lent), and I also stopped reading my favourite websites about TV series. My aim is to use computer only for learning and for work, and get rid of all entertainment in my life, though it is rather a long-term one and not possible to achieve during one Lent. I also want to get rid of multitasking, especially on the computer, and concentrate on one website at a time.
My family says I should not give up so much but rather concentrate on one thing, and what is your opinion?
 
Just to update here. If you recall, I decided to give up atheism for Lent. In doing this I am going to Mass every week and on high holy days, praying several times a day for faith and belief, reciting the Nicene Creed before going to bed, praying the Rosary, squelching all doubts and thoughts that result in any doubt, have consulted with a priest about joining the RCIA, focusing on the love that God has and thanking Jesus and God for everything that is good in my life, and being conscious always of what it takes to walk with Jesus. I also defend Catholicism and feel bothered when I hear or read any atheistic positions (this had, initially, surprised me but, over time, has strengthened by ability to believe in God and the Resurrection as the logic of atheists has always been very powerful to me).

I am, otherwise, very logical but have reserved this part of myself, my spiritual side, as one devoted to need, emotion, love, connection, purpose, meaning and more.

Over time, I have found it getting easier and easier to humble myself, finding that I now habitually think more and more like a true believer. It feels more natural than ever and this is VERY pleasing to me. I long for the time when all atheistic feelings and thoughts are gone forever so that I can freely and in all honesty join the Catholic Church and be on the same level, at least, that my fiancee is, so that we can be married as a sacrament in the Catholic Church.

I’ve been studying the Catechism and have decided to live by the rules there, the many that, now, are apropos to my life and goals. I don’t tell others how to live or believe but take great comfort, even joy, in following this path, for myself, after almost 60 years of atheism.
I used to always argue with believers but I’m beginning to understand the power of belief and enjoy seeing my previous way of seeing things diminish with each prayer. I don’t care if it’s “self hypnosis” or not, as it will fill my life with a love and connection I’ve never known.
 
HarveyL said:
Just to update here. If you recall, I decided to give up atheism for Lent. In doing this I am going to Mass every week and on high holy days, praying several times a day for faith and belief, reciting the Nicene Creed before going to bed, praying the Rosary, squelching all doubts and thoughts that result in any doubt, have consulted with a priest about joining the RCIA, focusing on the love that God has and thanking Jesus and God for everything that is good in my life, and being conscious always of what it takes to walk with Jesus. I also defend Catholicism and feel bothered when I hear or read any atheistic positions (this had, initially, surprised me but, over time, has strengthened by ability to believe in God and the Resurrection as the logic of atheists has always been very powerful to me).

I am, otherwise, very logical but have reserved this part of myself, my spiritual side, as one devoted to need, emotion, love, connection, purpose, meaning and more.

Over time, I have found it getting easier and easier to humble myself, finding that I now habitually think more and more like a true believer. It feels more natural than ever and this is VERY pleasing to me. I long for the time when all atheistic feelings and thoughts are gone forever so that I can freely and in all honesty join the Catholic Church and be on the same level, at least, that my fiancee is, so that we can be married as a sacrament in the Catholic Church.

I’ve been studying the Catechism and have decided to live by the rules there, the many that, now, are apropos to my life and goals. I don’t tell others how to live or believe but take great comfort, even joy, in following this path, for myself, after almost 60 years of atheism.
I used to always argue with believers but I’m beginning to understand the power of belief and enjoy seeing my previous way of seeing things diminish with each prayer. I don’t care if it’s “self hypnosis” or not, as it will fill my life with a love and connection I’ve never known.
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I think it might be time to change the religion on your info bar up there. Come on in, and welcome home! 🙂
 
I wrote this a few months ago. My “experiment” led me to unanticipated directions. At first I thought that doing this would help me become more tolerant, a less “militant” type atheist. But the joke’s on me as it did a lot more than that. It’s led me to embrace Catholicism in a way that I never thought possible. The more “into it” I got, the more I wanted. I’m now planning to convert and live my life, with my soon to be Catholic wife, as a Catholic, completely. Needless to say, she’s overjoyed by this. My mind sometimes feels upside down but I know that, giving more time for the process, will enable me to overcome any doubts I struggle with. THANK EVERYONE HERE for their help and guidance. Let me say that praying was the best thing to help me overcome what I’ve been struggling with.
HarveyL said:
Just to update here. If you recall, I decided to give up atheism for Lent. In doing this I am going to Mass every week and on high holy days, praying several times a day for faith and belief, reciting the Nicene Creed before going to bed, praying the Rosary, squelching all doubts and thoughts that result in any doubt, have consulted with a priest about joining the RCIA, focusing on the love that God has and thanking Jesus and God for everything that is good in my life, and being conscious always of what it takes to walk with Jesus. I also defend Catholicism and feel bothered when I hear or read any atheistic positions (this had, initially, surprised me but, over time, has strengthened by ability to believe in God and the Resurrection as the logic of atheists has always been very powerful to me).

I am, otherwise, very logical but have reserved this part of myself, my spiritual side, as one devoted to need, emotion, love, connection, purpose, meaning and more.

Over time, I have found it getting easier and easier to humble myself, finding that I now habitually think more and more like a true believer. It feels more natural than ever and this is VERY pleasing to me. I long for the time when all atheistic feelings and thoughts are gone forever so that I can freely and in all honesty join the Catholic Church and be on the same level, at least, that my fiancee is, so that we can be married as a sacrament in the Catholic Church.

I’ve been studying the Catechism and have decided to live by the rules there, the many that, now, are apropos to my life and goals. I don’t tell others how to live or believe but take great comfort, even joy, in following this path, for myself, after almost 60 years of atheism.
I used to always argue with believers but I’m beginning to understand the power of belief and enjoy seeing my previous way of seeing things diminish with each prayer. I don’t care if it’s “self hypnosis” or not, as it will fill my life with a love and connection I’ve never known.
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