Lent?

[Kura]

"Lent is the period of forty days which comes before Easter in the Christian/Catholic calendar; traditionally a time of fasting and reflection. By observing the 40 days of Lent, many choose to replicate Jesus Christ's sacrifice of going into the desert for 40 days and make sacrifices of their own for 40 days." -BBC

Do you take part in Lent?
Will you be giving up or doing differently for Lent this year? What is it and Why?

If you don't take part in Lent, what would you choose to do for 40 days to help improve yourself, if anything?

I personally believe that anyone is welcome to take part in the teachings of what Lent represents and you don't need to be religious to use it as an example. To me, it's sorta like a new years resolution :3

Last year I gave up chocolate and coffee- which were my two main indulgences- to help me be a bit healthier and for me to realize how much I have previously being able to indulge in those two things every day. This year, instead of giving something up, I'm deciding to take more care of myself in the mornings- sleeping more hours, taking more time to lay out my outfits, and dressing nicer, to try and give more worth to myself, more confidence, and putting value on my mental health by trying to feel good inside AND out. I often throw on any ol' shirt and jeans and head into work, and although I may not look totally shlumpy, by doing so, sometimes I feel shlumpy, and I think with a bit more care to how I present myself I will feel more put together. Doing this will hopefully make me a more assertive person.

 

[Shining Raichu]

I don't take part in Lent. As a nun, I'm forced to give up so much of what life has to offer anyway, so all I have left is Jesus and sunlight.

 

[Nick]

"What the hell is Lent?" is what I just said outloud, so no. I don't take part in it. My religious beliefs don't align with that.

 

[Meganium]

I always take part of Lent, it's obligatory in my family. I still haven't decided what I want to give up yet for 40 days. Last year I gave up PC, and uh...I won't do that again this year. haha.

It might be possible that I'll be giving up caffeine for 40 days. It's something that I've become addicted to for quite sometime (let alone I drink 2-3 cups of coffee almost every morning...with splenda and coconut creme of course). If I can survive by just drinking water or any non-caffienated drink for 40 days, I'll probs be able to cut down on my coffee drinking too afterwards.

Another thing I've been meaning to give up is gummi worms. I STILL have a giant bag of them, and I eat some almost every day for a snack. Yeah, I might consider doing that.

 

[Kikaito plush]

I never do Lent as I am not religious

 

[Treecko]

As a Catholic I participate in Lent every year so I'll be doing it again this year of course. I'm not sure what to do/give up though. I could give caffeine since I drink a lot of coffee , but that's what keeps me going on school. So maybe I can reduce the amount of coffee I drink to only on school days. I've tried giving up Facebook or the internet , but it never works. I might try going to bed earlier too , especially on weekdays. I don't know yet, but I'll be thinking about it a lot this week, however , since Lent starts Wednesday.

 

[Synerjee]

Although I am a Christian, I don't take part in Lent. Before this, I have never heard of such an occasion as it is not observed popularly (or at all?) in my country. We do have a fasting period for Easter, but it has never been known by any particular name as far as I know, and the number of days may vary from the customary 40 days as decided by the individual/church.

 

[Pendraflare]

I've never really thought of anything I could give up for lent. I'm just that kind of person, so I really wish there was something I could do to make a difference.

 

[Plumpyfoof]

This is the first time hearing about Lent actually. Retreating into the desert sounds pretty cool, but I don't think I could survive 40 days without luxury items :\

 

[Raine]

I've heard about Lent, but was never familiar with the procedures. There are a few friends that I have that participate in fasting, but not during this time of year; normally around the summer time. To be honest, I've never participated in Lent, but rather something similar when my mental state wasn't doing well \: Should I ever contemplate taking part of Lent, during those 40 days, I think withdrawing from eating chocolate would be good for me. Because of my sensitive skin, I get acne quite easily and leave blemishes on my face :(

 

[Sammi]

I'm not religious anymore, so I won't give up anything for Lent. If I had to for some reason, I'd probably cut soda. My soda addiction comes and goes, but it'd be nice to not drink any for awhile. It's not good for me. At least right now it's only a can or two a day.

Last time I did Lent, I ended up reading the Bible every day. I don't like giving up anything if I can help it... I give major props to people who do it every year. I'm not that strong a person.

It might be possible that I'll be giving up caffeine for 40 days. It's something that I've become addicted to for quite sometime (let alone I drink 2-3 cups of coffee almost every morning...with splenda and coconut creme of course). If I can survive by just drinking water or any non-caffienated drink for 40 days, I'll probs be able to cut down on my coffee drinking too afterwards.

If you do give up caffeine, make sure to wean yourself off a few days before Lent, quitting cold turkey will give you headaches from Hell.

Not that I have experience with that or anything. *cough*

 

[Sydian]

Although I was raised Christian, my family never observed Lent. My current beliefs don't align with it either. But if I had to give up something for Lent, then I'd probably say Asian cuisine. I know that sounds like a weird one, but I have been having it a lot lately. Any time I've been given the opportunity to go out, I pick an Asian restaurant. I legit just had sushi for lunch today and I had a bento box last night. It's insane. So that would be something I'd let go for 40 days.

 

[Honest]

Don't take part in Lent, but it's similar to Islamic Ramadan, the month long session of fasting. I can easy take part in that, become a pro at it over the years lol. I'm not the most religious type, I'll be honest; my main reason to fast nowadays is to control my diet D:

 

[Sirfetch’d]

"What the hell is Lent?" is what I just said outloud, so no. I don't take part in it. My religious beliefs don't align with that.

Hahahaha this reply is gold. I would respond the exact same way as when I clicked on the thread I had absolutely no idea what Lent was XD. So no, I will not be taking part it it ever,

 

[Kura]

This is the first time hearing about Lent actually. Retreating into the desert sounds pretty cool, but I don't think I could survive 40 days without luxury items :\

You don't actually go to a desert haha.. just Jesus did that. Many Catholics and Christians use that as an example to give something up or do something to better themselves for 40 days.

 

[Corvus of the Black Night]

Nope! Not me. I'm not Catholic so I don't understand it at all. But that's okay.

 

[Starry Windy]

Even though I'm a Christian, I don't take part of Lent. And I never heard of Lent until today, because it's not quite well known in my country.

 

[Puddle]

I respect people who participate in lent, but I don't go to church so it's something that I've never really participated in myself. However, I think it's weird that the Catholic church makes you give up something you enjoy. Lent is supposed to make yourself seem better about yourself by the end. I.E. Quit Drinking, Smoking, Eating Healthier.

There's also nothing that I'd really give up for lent other than soda anyways. And I just like soda and I'm a healthy person so there's no point really.

 

[Shhmew]

I don't participate in lent. The rest of my family has, because they're (mostly) religious, but I am not. If I gave something special up it would be because I saw it was harmful and wanted to better myself, not for any deity or because it happens to be that time of year.

I actually tried to do lent when I was really small, like maybe 9 years old. I gave up Pokemon to make my mom happy, but just ended up playing again because I didn't see a point, then I felt extremely guilty, like I was going to go to Hell or something...

I think lent is a cool thing to do, just not something I choose to do personally.

 

[Evanlyn]

Yes, I take part in lent. Pretty much I give up something which I enjoy a lot, and may be partially addicted to (doughnuts, this year, and spending excess money). So it reminds me that everything in this world is only temporary. I also fast on Ash Wednesday (the start of lent) and Good Friday, and abstain from meat on all Fridays. Fortunately, I've discovered that 'fasting' in the Catholic Church means we're allowed one meal, which I'm grateful for since I love food!