What to give up for lent?

If it is important not to overlook the physical requirements of fasting, it is even more important not to overlook its inward significance. Fasting is not a mere matter of diet. It is moral as well as physical. True fasting is to be converted in heart and will; it is to return to God, to come home like the Prodigal to our Father's house. In the words of St. John Chrysostom, it means 'abstinence not only from food but from sins'. 'The fast', he insists, 'should be kept not by the mouth alone but also by the eye, the ear, the feet, the hands and all the members of the body': the eye must abstain from impure sights, the ear from malicious gossip, the hands from acts of injustice. It is useless to fast from food, protests St. Basil, and yet to indulge in cruel criticism and slander: 'You do not eat meat, but you devour your brother' . Metropolitan Kallistos Ware.

During Lent, the time period which precedes Easter, a lot of people "give something up."  It might be soda, or candy, or swearing, even.  Do you know why?  Do you think about it? 

In the Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition, this mindset is a small portion of how we fast.  You aren't just giving one item up, as though it were a game.  You are doing it in order to gain something.  We are to abstain from sinning (or try to) during this period to prepare ourselves for Easter, the most blessed event in the ecclesiastical calendar.  

My fasting isn't as hard core as others, but that is between me and God.  Some folks are older, or younger or have dietary restrictions so they can't abstain from the same foods as others.  It is about more than food, or material items.  The key is to be mindful of WHY we are taking action.  If you slip up, its ok.  It happens.  We all slip up from time to time.  The point is to acknowledge it and ask for forgiveness   There was only one who didn't, and He is the reason for our attempt to honor His love in this way during the lenten season.

Stay strong people.  Keep fighting the good fight! 

Public Display of Idiocy

Idiocy at its best.  Nazi leanings which are exhibited in s stadium full of spectators?  Come on.  Don't tell me you didn't know what you were doing.
insidiousness
Check it out here:

At least he got kicked out of the league.  He still maintains that he was just saying "hi" to a friend.  Even his GERMAN coach defended him.  

Look out! unexpected gifts ahead!

This is a powerful reminder about gifts coming in strange ways.  Read about her here: 

This is more of a loving response to a son's coming out than I could have anticipated.

See it here: 

Sometimes you know when someone is going to say something to you that you already know about.  To them, its a big deal.  To you, it's not (any more).  Help them out.  Lend a hand.  Make it easy on them.

Which brings me to the recent discussion of the very Republican Senator who chose to support his son, instead of his career.  Good for him.  I grew up in a very (still!) Republican family.  I can tell you, this isn't the Party that I grew up learning about.  But I'll like it more if it's leaders steered away from what is conventionally expected of them, and stand up for what they actually believe in.

Real Beauty

These changes are dynamic.  These are the real women that men ogle when they look at porn.  They are fake.  Done up in such a fake way.

See here: 

Work together with your community

It's amazing how much  you can accomplish if you break things down into smaller manageable pieces, and work with a team to accomplish a far larger goal.  Check out with these ladies were able to do in just five short hours!

here!

Wedding Day Anxiety

I just got this piece of advice from my good friend who got married two days ago.  I asked her for some morsels of insight since my wedding is about two months away, and I'm full of anxiety and angst about all the details. 

"Advice...just keep reminding yourself to enjoy it and focus on the fact that this is about you and nick marrying each other and nothing else!

Xoxo"

The question, how?  I'm such a control freak, and I'm realizing that more and more as I get older.  The one thing I can think to avoid the anxiety is to prepare and keep everything organized ahead of time.  More work now, less work later?  

Any other ideas? 

Marriage Takes Work

I'm not even married yet, but the best advice I've received  and witnessed from couples around me, is that it TAKES WORK.  It isn't easy, but it can be awesome.  It can be fun.  It can be worth it.  But bringing together two different people's lives and expecting them to match up perfectly immediately is just plain old....tomfoolery.

This article which discusses a speech made at the Oscars by Ben Affleck really drives the point home.  Ben says it's work too, and appreciates the effort his wife bu

I want to thank my wife who I don’t normally associate with Iran, but I want to thank you for working on marriage for ten Christmases. It’s good, it is work, but it’s the best kind of work, and there’s no one I’d rather work with.”- Ben Affleck, Best Picture

Pay it forward?

What would you do?  Check out this returned wallet- 3 years later!