Lent

What's Up!?

This Week: Lent

If anyone has been on the 40 day and 40 night fast of Lent, you know that TOMORROW,  Holy Thursday, April 13th, is the final day!

Our days of sacrificing are over until next year.  I wonder why it is so much easier to complete something like Lent, versus a New Years Resolution? Maybe because there is an end goal in sight. Then it made me ponder the theory of goal setting and achieving success. How effective weight loss strategies are with no deadline, and even more related to my challenge of qualifying for the 2020 Olympics in 4 years. It's a goal and a deadline, but so far in the future. Us as athletes really have to break it down into yearly, monthly, weekly, and daily goals.

Anyway, if you know me, I'm not too religious, I grew up going to church and what not. However, I do have faith in humanity and being the best person you can be. 

Reasons I find Lent beneficial

1. Makes me a better person

    It allows me to pick a weakness that I have work on it. Something from my life that isn't necessarily helping.

2. Part of Lent observance is mourning 

   Lent marks the final days of Jesus life and ministry. Lent is known for the association made between the crucifixion of Christ and human sinfulness. It allows me to mourn people in my life that have helped me and made sacrifices for me. 

3. Redemption is a good time to apologize and forgive

    Any troubles or trials I have with people, I want to forgive and move past the pittiness. I want to be able to grow. Jesus, who died for our sins, is triumphant over sin

4. Fasting is hard, and it makes you a bad ass

     It gives me power, self-control, discipline, and the ability to say NO.

5. Sacrifice is good for the soul

    Many religions (in fact all of the major ones) advocate fasting. They believe sacrifice is good for a human being’s spirit. It gives your body and brain a vacation. You get to operate out of something bigger that’s on the inside.

6. You're able to say you've achieved something

    The feeling of accomplishment is something no one else can give me.

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Last year I gave up chocolate and was successful! Wahoo!

I wanted to try something a little more difficult for me this year, like dessert, but I found myself eating a bowl of ice cream on the very first day while I was thinking of this, so clearly that was not going to work...

This year I decided to give up alcohol.

I'm not a heavy drinker, just the occasional drink at dinner and with friends

Lessons from giving up the forbidden fruit...

Wrong Misconceptions

- I'll lose weight- I actually would supplement with other sugary drinks like, Ginger Ale or Soda.

- I'll save money - Logan would actually still by my drink, and drink it himself. Two for One for him.

Pros

-I was able to say 'no'

- Detox

- No hangovers, wake up every morning feeling refreshed

Cons

- Some social gatherings were a little more dull

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In conclusion, 40 days isn't really that long. I recommend everyone to try and sacrifice something sometime, for Lent or for yourself.

Take an extended period of time and fast. Fast to serve as a reminder to be grateful for things you might otherwise take for granted. We don't really think about the incredible opportunities we have in life.

And...

HOPPY EASTER FRIENDS!