The talk around school this week has been, “What are you giving up for Lent?” I live in a predominantly Catholic city, but even non-Catholics get in on the Lenten sacrifice. So far my principal has given up Facebook (!), another teacher has given up breakfast tacos (she said she’ll fall off the wagon by Friday), another has given up her Red Bull and another sodas.
Every year my grandmother would give up candy, which was torture, because her very favorite candy was Easter candy—the Cadbury eggs, the Peeps, all of it. Heck, when it wasn’t Lent, she’d eat candy for lunch (and weight 90 pounds and lived to 92!). My brother gives up soda, which I tried one year but didn’t last a week.
One year I gave up hamburgers (my favorite thing next to sodas) and I was a terrible person to be around by Easter.
I’ve given up buying books (but I own like 400, so what’s the sacrifice there?) and plants. That CAN be a sacrifice, because Spring Break is always during Lent and I’m itching to get outside already.
But I figure the whole point is to improve yourself, right, so I’m giving up swearing. I’m BAD. And I’ve already slipped once. But maybe I can start a new habit.
Do you give up something for Lent?
I once gave up chocolate. gasp I know but I’m ok now so don’t panic. I gave it up for a whole yaer not just lent. I’m thinking this year I’ll try sugar. That will be bad there is sugar in everything but the idea is to give up something you love right? Since my husband isn’t an option (which would prob’ly be easire than sugar come to think of it) sugar it is… this is gonna be rough.
OMG! You’re my hero! Let me know how it goes!
You’ll have to let me know how giving up swearing works for you. I used to never say a curse word at all. In fact, I didn’t even like the slang words for curse words. Now, it’s a different story altogether…not entirely a good story.
I know it’s all about replacing a bad habit with a good habit, but saying things like “Sod off” just doesn’t carry as great an oomph as “F$$K off” to me. So I’m still working on it. If you’re successful, I’ll have more hope!
Good luck!
Not going so well, actually. I’ve reduced it, but still slip up, like when the washing machine lid slammed on my finger.I’m trying, though!
Ouch! I think that would be enough to make anyone curse. I’d say give yourself points for every time could say a curse word and don’t. If you have twenty-five points at the end of the day, it’s a successful day. At least, that’s what I tell myself! It works sometimes.
A friend of mine makes herself put money in a jar every time she says a curse word. At the end of the month any money in that jar gets donated to charity. So, at the least, if she’s cursing, something good comes out of it!
What a good idea about the points! I thought about the money in a jar, but I’m afraid to count how much that would be!