What are you going to give up for Lent?

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Coreopisis said:
I don’t know what to give up.

I think I am going to try to be selfless in conversation. It’s not that I am selfish per sai, just a talker.

For example somebody might come up and tell me that their uncle has cancer of the brain or soemthing and then I share that my Grandpa also had cancer of the brain. Sharing about myself for some reason in enjoyable for me. I think instead I am going to work on keeping the conversation purly about them adn just offer them prayers. I will only talk about me if they ask.

Maybe this sounds silly to all of you but if you knew how much I enjoy talking you would understand. It will be hard for me.
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I do understand what you mean. It is hard sometimes to keep a conversation focused on the other person. I think we all want to talk about ourselves! That sounds like a wonderful penance. I will pray for you.
 
Kind of looking forward to Lent, myself. Last year I gave up chocolate, soft drinks, and eating between meals. For some reason it was easier to do it during Lent than at other times of the year.

Perhaps adding in the Rosary.

A few years ago, I started going to daily Mass 3x a week during Lent, and that was something I have not been able to give up. What a blessing that has been! And something I suggest that others consider. I had to do some rearranging of my morning schedule, but it was SO worth it!
 
Sr_Sally said:
I do understand what you mean. It is hard sometimes to keep a conversation focused on the other person. I think we all want to talk about ourselves! That sounds like a wonderful penance. I will pray for you.
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Yeah I think that I would like to do some sort of fasting as well however I really want to loose weight…so there is some benefit for me. Since I would benefit I don’t think it can really be considered a penance anymore so that is off the table.
 
😃 Wow you guys are really planning ahead, well I guess that not a bad idea as Lent will be starting a little earlier this year. As for me right now I am concentrating on trying to prepare for a holy Christmas, I have been trying for the past couple years not to get caught up so much in consumer Christmas and concentrate on celebrating a holy Feast of the Nativity.
 
By that time, I hope to have a Spiritual Directer (as part of my BSP/CFP formation), and can work something out with him that will be meaningfull.

But for now, most likely I will “keep it simple” and just do the traditional fast of two meals a day, dinner and supper, with meat or fish at dinner only. No solid food between the two meals. Also, to abstain on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. (The Rule of 1221 used by BSP/CFP). No fasting or abstinance on Sundays and Solemnities.
 
I’ll probably do what I usually do: give up giving things up for Lent.

Matthew
 
I’ve given up sweets for the last ten years. I wasn’t even a part of the Church then, but since I grew up that way and believed in Christ I thought it would be good. I’ve always been afraid of going to hell so I figured I’d better get my Brownie points where I could.

Sweets are a great physical weakness on my part. I’d always lose about 15 pounds during lent. I don’t know if it was really a sacrifice on my part as it improved my health so much. I kind of killed 2 birds with 1 stone. The funny thing was, giving up the sweets, even ice crem, my manna from heaven, was relatively easy during these periods. Is giving up something, or doing something that benefits yourself really a sacrifice? I would love some advice on that.

I came home to the Church less than 3 months ago. I feel like a new man. I also began dieting and exercise. It’s been so easy, I’m amazed. I’ve given up almost all the foods that are bad for me, and it’s easy once I haven’t had them for awhile, so that would be too easy. I’ve lost 30 pounds and am stronger and more flexible than I’ve been in 25 years, and I’m rapidly aproaching middle age.
I believe God has given me a second chance at life, not only physically but spiritually and religiously.

Off the top of my head I’m thinking I may give up my weekly allowance, except for the 5 or 10 dollars I really should have on me. I throw most of it away unnecessarily anyway. I can give some to CA and EWTN and Catholic Charities. Considering I’m tighter than Ebenezer Scrooge, it may benefit me in that I’ll become more generous and less selfish. That would be a benefit to me that benefits my fellow man, so I gues it would be a good thing. Now that I think of it, I’ll start trying today. Or instead of trying maybe I’ll start doing. I’m glad I stopped on this topic. God works in mysterious ways. Thank You all, Dan
 
catechumen08 said:
Hi, I know it’s probably a little early. What are you going to give up for Lent next year? I’m thinking caffeine.
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All meat except for fish. But after 20 days or so of fish, i’m so sick ofit. I just eat vegatables
 
Last year, I gave up meat, chocolate and pasta. Now that I do not meat anymore, I am swearing off pasta, chocolate, and then I am ***really ***going for it: not one bit of negative talk about anyone or anything, and thanking God for blessing me with people that truly drive me crazy sometimes…Our Lady, pray for me!:eek:
 
I continue to eat my regular diet, which is vegan, alkaline, and pretty different than the previous christians who gave up meat.
 
I plan on giving up smoking. And actually the thought came to mind that I could probably give the money I would have been using for “coffin nails” (as DH puts it) to my parish. Hmmm… I think that’s what I’m gonna do. 😃

PS: Watch for a post from me in the prayer request forum during Lent, I’ll probably be a maniac! 😛 (just kidding)
 
Every year I concentrate way too much on giving things up,
and very little on doing something positive. Doing something
positive requires extra time, giving things up is easier.

Last year, I gave up many, many things, and was very
“successful”. Finally. But what did I get? Did I get closer to God? The answer – a big fat NO.

This year I want to do something different (I say that every year).

Lent is very important to me, I think about it all year. It is a very
holy season to me. I haven’t asked God yet about this lent.
 
I plan to give up caffeine :eek:

Every Lent I try to volunteer more time for others, and give more money to those in need…whether it be neighbors who need help or people at church.
 
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