Being Roman Catholic, myself, I just wanted to ask about Lent: Do you usually give up vices? Or little things? Nothing?
Catholics, What Are You Giving Up for Lent?
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Being Roman Catholic, myself, I just wanted to ask about Lent: Do you usually give up vices? Or little things? Nothing?
I am many years lapsed (and also pregnant, which would make me exempt from most of Lent), but when I was in high school, I would generally end up choosing to do more community service rather than giving up something. It was presented to us as an option - I guess as a sacrifice of time?
I also read recently that any talking about a goal, such as a Lenten sacrifice, on social media actually makes the person less likely to succeed in that goal. You'd think it would be a motivator, but no.
I also read recently that any talking about a goal, such as a Lenten sacrifice, on social media actually makes the person less likely to succeed in that goal. You'd think it would be a motivator, but no.
That is interesting, that somehow discussing it would also diffuse it. I do have to wonder how universal that is. Studies like these are very hard to judge for accuracy, because I, for one, usually follow through on anything I plan to do, whether I mention it, or not. But this idea of Service instead of Sacrifice seems to be a very useful philosophy, doesn't it? Though, "doing without" always seemed to be the point of Lent to me, as my belief, or understanding, was that it began as a way to help train The Faithful in coping with Times of Famine. Performing Community Service instead of giving up candy for Lent is a good one and I must admit: I hadn't thought of that ...
The little things. Gambling, narcotics, women of the night, moloko-plus, a little of the old ultra-violence. The strange part is, I'm not even Catholic.
I've read that study. They did find that people who talked about their goals were less likely to stick with them, and the hypothesis the researchers came up with was that by talking about the goal, the individual feels they've taken a step towards achieving that goal, even though they haven't. This makes them hold off on taking actual steps towards achieving the goal. Have you ever felt that sense of accomplishment from making a To Do list when you're really overwhelmed? It's that sort of thing.
It's just one study and one hypothesis, though. (Tangentially, psychological studies have the highest replication rate -- weird, but interesting!).
My roommate's Catholic...she gives up everything every year: alcohol, coffee, sweets, movies, TV, dating, and foods that aren't "simple".
If I were Catholic I don't know what I'd give up...procrastination would be a good one. I should really be giving that up anyway!
I've been horrible this lent. I never really targeted anything specific, but in general it was to eat healthy, exercise, and spend more quite time in reflection. Then we started another round of layoffs at work, I got a horrible virus, and a friend of mine had a severe heart attack last weekend and is not doing well. Needless to say I've been too distracted and have done nothing. I might have to take a mulligan on this one...
I am catholic, too, but I usually don't give anything up for Lent. I am also a vegetarian for almost 15 years now and I believe that my lifestyle justifies that. However, two or three years ago I decided not to eat any sweets for Lent and I really managed it. I remember that it was quite hard. And everything tasted way too sweet afterwards when I started to eat that stuff again, so it's probably not a bad idea to give the things up that aren't good for you in the first place. But since I barely eat more than three cookies every second day, I don't feel the need to give sweets up this year. So I basically live as usual.
Lent.
It's time we got some Catholic blood in you.
Now that's a good Catholic girl!
I'm sorry this Lent has been such an ordeal for you, Kirby. I don't know what to say ... it's a raw deal. I hope everything works out.
I have only been a Vegetarian for a few years, so I have a lot of respect for that. I do not fill up on veggies, however, I simply took meat off the plate. Everything else is the same. I know the meat industry is here to stay, I'm not trying to change the world. I just can't justify eating meat. It's not necessary to my survival, so I finally gave it up, completely.
I'm Anglican/Episcopal and tried to give up computer games, replacing it with an hour of cleaning instead.
Note I said tried. I have reduced my daily playtime to thirty minutes, though, so..
(I know that's like saying "Well, It's a D-PLUS!")
Note I said tried. I have reduced my daily playtime to thirty minutes, though, so..
(I know that's like saying "Well, It's a D-PLUS!")
It's the effort that counts, sir! I commend your efforts. The Roman Catholic Church, especially, promotes having discipline in one's life. This is a very useful tool, actually, in light of what it takes to achieve one's goals. Discipline or Regret is the choice we're given in this world. The former is the only way to go and exercises, like Lent, may just help one to accomplish that ...
How tedious.
LOL same here, actually. Yet I think that some Christian values make sense and are very laudable. And there's nothing that keeps an atheist from sticking to them.
Not doing anything for lent specifically, but I gave up on sweets last year and instead made a donation to Boston Children's Hospital. A year worth of chocolate makes a nice figure on their list
Last year I broke my knee and walked 1/4 of a charity marathon instead of running it. That was fun! There was even a wheelchair relay team and 2 perambulator-teams: moms agains dads. (The moms won
) The money from our sponsors goes to the local leukemia fund for children.
Don't know yet what I'll do this year. Tourguide for blind people through the regional flower show, propably. Or interpretor for foreign visitors.
