What would you give up?
I had it in the back of my mind to go along with Lent this year just for the exercise in self-discipline. Ironically, I was not disciplined enough to pay attention to when Lent begins--today. So, if I'm to go 40 days without something, it has to be something I haven't done today. I just polished off a sizeable bowl of ice cream, so that's out. There's no chance I'm giving up coffee, either. I didn't eat beef today, so that's a possibility, though not an inviting one. I know what you're thinking, and no, that's not on the table. Perhaps there's a good reason I wasn't diligent in planning for Lent. I don't have anything I'm willing to give up that would be a true sacrifice. I still want to try some kind of self-denial, be it fasting or something else. And, because I'm not Catholic there's no requirement to tie it to Easter. It's just a convenient reminder. I'll let you know if I come up with something.
By the way, there are actually 46 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter. Sundays don't count, evidently.
What would you be willing to give up? What wouldn't you be willing to go without?
I don't have anything I'm willing to give up that would be a true sacrifice.
Well, there's your problem.
That line amuses me for some reason. I like it for its honesty.
My somewhat unrelated opinions: to reach the goal behind Lent, sacrificial self-denial should not be random, it should be aimed at refocusing us on God, His plan for the world, and our response to His call in our lives. Of course, it may well be that self-denial of ice cream would have that exact effect, if the denial of the impulse to pull open the freezer door causes serious and repeated episodes of reflection. I think, however, that something like television, or a particular television show that you regularly watch, would be more effective in achieving the spiritual goals of Lent.
If an simple exercise in self-discipline is the goal, however, then doing something healthy like cutting out french fries is laudable. That would probably be my pick -- no fast food.