Ash Wednesday, the end of Mardi Gras and the beginning of the Lenten Season. 40 days till Easter. Most of us think of this as a time to "give up" something. I think a better way to treat this season is to use it to improve one's character.
Instead of saying I am giving up (chocolate, liquor, potato chips, etc.) for 40 days; how about I am going to be mindful of what I am eating and try to eat healthily and once 40 days are over and the new habits are established I will maintain them.
Several Compactor friends are doing different things for Lent such as having one night a week be soup night and donating the difference in cost to a food bank or adding daily meditation or spiritual study. This is a time to reflect and see what is in abundance in your life that you can share with others be it food, time or blankets.
I have decided to add to what I am currently giving to the homeless. Right now my policy is to give $ and a bottle of water. And I have been trying to come up with something else to give that would be nutritious and non-perishable. What I have come up with for now is apples and oranges. I think that would be a welcome change from the usual donated day-old white bread, and sweets that most of them are used to at the homeless shelters.
I will probably institute a pot of soup a week for us to offset the cost of the fruit. But since we love soup it is not a hardship just a reminder of why we are having a little less on that day so that others might have a little more.
Anyone have any thoughts on Lent, giving up, giving more, or any of this? I hope it is a good spiritual growth season for all of us. :)
I think your idea is a GREAT one.
ReplyDeleteIf we implemented soup night in our house, that would be a TREAT. But you know that when Chris cooks, no money is actually saved ;) I remember the time I was in the mood for fajitas. It would have cost about $30ish bucks at On The Border, including margaritas. But Chris wanted to make them, so we went to the store. $98 later we had the ingredients for fajitas and some margarita mix. YIKES
Yep, sounds like he over-did it! There are plenty of ways to make fajitas and margaritas for cheap. But on the other hand, I bet they were outstanding!
ReplyDeleteSoup made from left-overs and a few fresh ingredients is one of my favorite things. It's never the same thing twice, that's for sure! One thing I have found that is wonderful in any kind of soup. I mean it, ANY KIND, is a can of pumpkin. It just adds some body, loads of fiber and vitamins and you will never know it is there. Isn't that strange? Strange, but true. Try it out and see what you think.