Lent begins in a few days and gives us a chance at self-improvement. Many people, whether they're religious or not, use the traditional catholic observance as a time to ditch the habits they feel are having a negative effect on their lives. If you're catholic, you probably know of the usual things that people like to give up for Lent: sweets, caffeine or even more harder to quit things like smoking.
Through my various Lenten fails over the years, I've learned a different way of approaching Lent. Lent can be viewed as a time to try adding or taking away things from our lives to see if we are improved. We should make it a time of increased focus on God and others and decreased focus on self and personal comfort. We should use these things that we give up as a reminder to pray more and love more.
Here is a list of things you can choose from to give up or take up for Lent:
Things you could give up:
Texting and driving.
Only talking to Jesus when you need something.
Being Selfish.
Judging Others.
Comparing yourself with others.
Using the word "can't."
Leaving Facebook and/or Twitter open while doing homework.
Telling yourself you're fat.
Hiding your faith from those around you. It's Lent. Share what Go is doing in your life these 40 days.
Negativity
Breaking promises.
Gossip
Procrastination
Wasting your life on social media.
Checking your phone when you are with others.
People pleasing.
Complaining
Things to take up:
Read a scripture from the bible when you wake up to start your day.
Being confident in yourself.
Building up your self-esteem and loving yourself.
Volunteer; give your time to others and do a good deed.
Spending more time with your family.
Use your words to build others, not tear them down.
Going to confession.
Being a better friend.
Getting enough sleep at night.
Being on time.
Join a bible study.
List 3 things you are grateful for everyday.
Call your mother/father instead of texting them.
Invite your friends to church.
Give someone a compliment everyday.
Don't tell God how big your problem is, tell your problem how big your God is.
Make a list of 40 people who have touched your life in one way or another and each day of Lent, write a person on the list a letter of thanks and pray for them.
Tell someone about Jesus.
