Winter 2015 - Lent Begins So Spring Must Be Near

Lent and the First Signs of Spring

Lent has started which means spring is not far away. Usually the start of this period of reflection coincides with the most difficult part of winter. I associate February with awful cold, a bleak landscape and blizzards. Not a bad backdrop for 46 days of giving something up.

Instead the chipmunks are already out of their holes and I've seen butterflies flittering around. The days are longer and the extra light is refreshing. It's unnatural but I'm not going to complain. I'm glad not to be fighting the cold. I've even gotten a little early yard work done.

I'm not holding my breath or packing up the snow boots either, I know February and March are fickle months. As for Lent I'm putting a positive Spring like approach on it. Rather than give up I'm going to try doing. Instead of restrictions I'm focusing on action. My goal, at least three small actions/steps a day to make our lives better.

I'm going to keep a list and will post about any of the little things that had a big impact.

Happy Mardi Gras in the Year of the Tiger, Mr. President

I felt a bit pulled in all directions by the confluence of holidays this past week. Valentine's Day, Chinese New Year, President's Day and Mardi Gras have me whirling in a strange mix of holiday imagery and on a bit of a sugar high. I certainly feel like I have made the most of Fat Tuesday and had my fill of chocolates, cookies and King's Cake. I'm actually looking forward to Lent.

I have yet to decide what to give up for Lent. I'm considering trying to do something healthy or creative instead for the next forty six days but feel a bit too time constrained lately to make the commitment. Oddly, the thought of giving up butter or shopping or soda seems easier than making sure I take a daily vitamin for the next month and a half. I guess that means I'm going to have to go the self denial route.

The Party is Over - No More Shopping

Well at least for the next forty six days. I've given up shopping for Lent. I haven't been a practicing Catholic since I was a child , but I do enjoy my yearly period of reflection and shopping deprivation! I'm also going to try and do positive stuff, as opposed to just giving something up this year. I wasn't even going to give up shopping this year, however, I've done it so many times it's just expected of me. So here goes! Just to clarify, grocery shopping is allowed as is window shopping. Purchasing of items such as clothing, jewelery and other goodies that normally tempt me are forbidden. Which reminds me, it's so sad that Lent always coincides with the big sales!