Shawn L. Bird

So today is  Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent.  I don’t come from a Roman Catholic or Anglican background, so I have never participated in the practice of giving up something as a sacrifice and self-disclipline for the 40 days leading up to Easter.  I heard a United Church minister on CBC today discussing the idea of choosing to give something up for a period in order to open yourself up to other opportunity either for spiritual enlightenment, new skills, new attitudes or new habits.  He got me thinking that perhaps I should open myself up to the process.

On the other hand, those who know me know that I don’t like giving anything up.  Not old friends (still meet up with acquaintances and friends from high school on a regular basis), not old hobbies (the basement overflows with them!), and not old clothes! 

So how can I take the best of  this observance and apply the concept?  What can I open up to? 

Give up negativity and open up to positivity.

Give up dependence and open up to independence

Give up frustration and open up to celebration

and if I use all the self-discipline I can muster, perhaps

Give up some old fat clothes to make room in the closet for all the new skinny clothes!

How about you?  What could you cut out of your life for Lent?  What would you welcome into your life, instead?