10 Things You Can Give Up for Lent and What to Replace Them With
Today, Ash Wednesday, marks the beginning of Lent with its tradition of giving something up, usually a luxury or vice, as an act of penitence for the sacrifice of Jesus.
Rather than just throw down 10 things you can give up for Lent, I wanted to remember that human nature abhors a vacuum. So, I've included something to fill that void and help you keep your commitment.
1. Soda, pop, cola or whatever you call a soft drink
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Lemonade or limeade, preferably going easy on the sugar. Still better than regular infusions of high fructose corn syrup.
2. Texting
It sounds shocking, but call the person instead. If they don't pick up or call you back, maybe that's a sign you don't have to keep hourly tabs on them.
3. Social Media
What to do in place of hours of looking at selfies, baby pictures, meal photos, quiz results and cryptic status updates? Anything, as long as it's good for you. Pray, exercise, volunteer, visit friends, read a book, paint a picture, learn/practice an instrument, write a story, study your Bible, take an online class, do your homework, catch up on sleep et al.
4. Junk Food
Fresh food may take more work than ripping open a bag or ordering drive-thru, but the benefits in health and flavor are worth it. I mean, look at the savory, caramelized goodness of this pan of roasted vegetables. Chop veggies, drizzle with olive oil, put in oven.
5. Coffee
Tea.
6. Sweets
This is a tough one for me because I love a good chocolate chip cookie. However, I've found that something like fresh berries and granola (pictured at the top) can be as satisfying as a baked mound of fat, sugar and flour, and without the mental gymnastics over calorie counts or my predisposition toward diabetes.
7. Gossip
Talk about what someone does right and what they're good at, the pleasant surprises and adorable quirks of their personality.
8. Video Games
I won't be so naive as to think you can just trade an adrenaline-fueled session of "Call of Duty" for the latest offering in literary fiction. But try getting a good audiobook and going to the gym. Or go to the library to find a book that might interest you, an interesting war biography or a fantastic work of science fiction, and work out your imagination.
9. Selfies
Let the beauty and character of the place or people around you be the focus.
10. Sarcasm
Stop before letting an acidic remark fly. Think about how to turn it around and show gratitude and contentment. Rather than complain about your job, be thankful to have one in this uncertain economy. Instead of complaining about being unemployed, encourage and empathize with others who are struggling with it, too.
+ + +
What are you giving up for Lent? Let us know in the comments.
