Ashes to Ashes

Today marks Ash Wednesday, the first day in the Lenten season and always a very important mark of time to me during the year. Easter time is one of my favorite - especially this year as my 27th birthday is on Easter Sunday!

But before we get to that, we have 40 days of Lent. Each year since high school, I have tried to give something up as a way to understand the sacrifice that has been made by various groups of faith-filled people throughout the years. Unfortunately, this year I woke up this morning still with no idea of what I would give up! I solicited my sister for advice, but between the two of us - nothing. And it's important to me to make a decision that would mean something, otherwise, what's the point?

Thankfully, I found inspiration in my noontime church service. The pastor, a very "tell it like it is" Brit defined Lent through three things - generosity, prayer, and discipline. Generosity both to the church and others, prayer to God, and discipline in our daily lives. I had never heard of it broken down in such a way, but I really appreciated his way of thinking. He also told us we need to "gird our loins," which I have to say, I also appreciated

He then stated that "mean-mindedness is the death of the human soul." An extremely strong statement, but one that truly resonated with me. Just this past Sunday, I had been at an Oscar party and someone there remarked to me that I seemed to be a very negative person for only being twenty-six. Between these two comments, I felt like I should take the hint and reassess my, what has become, inherent negativity.

Don't get me wrong, I think everyone should have a healthy dose of sarcasm and cynicism in their lives. It makes things interesting. But in the past couple years, due to various circumstances and situations, I have come to border on bitter rather cynical, angry rather than sarcastic. I have literally made myself sick from stress and worry.

So that's what I'm giving up for Lent - anger and bitterness. While this is not quantitative goal with which I can measure or demonstrate my success, I am hoping it will lead to a lifestyle change where I no longer think evil thoughts about the woman who walked right in front of me on the sidewalk or obsess about how I think I was slighted in some way.

To that end, I think this is a process that should be shared - in small measures instead of leaps and bounds. So as my daily reminder to keep this Lenten process in mind, each day I will post - in the right column - a great quote, Bible verse, song lyric, etc. To use others' more positive experiences to help me in my quest to be a calmer, happier person.

Please feel free to share with me some of your favorites throughout the coming 40 days so I can in turn share with others!

P.S. The first quote posted is one of my absolute favorites!