I don’t consider myself a religious person, but I do admit that I am spiritually inclined. So when I overhead someone mention that Lent was beginning soon, I was immediately inspired. The idea of devoting  a  length of time to giving up some of my bad habits and incorporating  healthy ones seemed to make sense.

In fact, the whole meaning of Lent is to sacrifice in order to prepare oneself for spiritual renewal symbolized by spring. I had a rough winter, in fact I had a rough  year. Full of challenges and obstacles that seemed impossible to bear at times.I am completely and fully open to a new beginning  even  if it means giving up some  of the worst parts of myself.

So here are some of the things I will let go of during Lent:

1- Alcohol ( I don’t drink often and I rarely crave it, but when I drink I do excessively.)

2- Meat ( Yes, I know. I was a vegetarian for 7 years and then gave it up but somehow the vegetarian lifestyle makes sense to me. I intend to keep this one out even after the Lent period. Although, I may have a gray area  when my step-dad brings home  Moose meat.)

3-Complaining and seeing the negative ( I tend to panic too easily)

Here are some of the things I want to incorporate during Lent:

1-Healthy teas ( I figured I might as well enjoy a good infusion full of healthy  benefits. My favorites are Oolong and Pu’erh tea)

2-Gratitude ( I will be grateful each day for what I have.  If I can’t be, I will find reasons to be grateful)

3-A  form of prayer or meditation ( I  will spend 30 minutes per day devoted to spiritual contemplation. I  always needed to feel connected to some form of higher power. Although, I am not religious, I believe you can find God everywhere. In the compassion of others, in the untamed wilderness, and in the purest of love.

I rarely finish what I start. But I have a sneaky suspicion that if I can follow through to the end, the process itself will transform me.

Gen