Ash Wednesday

Today is the beginning of the Lent. In years past, I had not put much thought into the purpose but would still go through a self-denial period. It was easy to say a rosary a day or even read a devotional meditation. Then I started challenging myself and gave up French fries, donuts, and then sweets.

It wasn’t until two years ago, after giving up alcohol, did I receive great benefit from giving up a personal vice. Never believing I could give up drinking alcohol for forty days, I realized that it was possible and I did it.

This year, I am giving up television for forty days. I will be saying good-bye to “The Bachelor”, “CSI”, “ The Office”, “Modern Family”, “Brothers and Sisters”, "SNL”, and “Jersey Shore”. I still cannot believe I am actually going to do this. During this time I will see how full TIVO can get and maybe even realize that I will not want to go back through each episode to catch up.

Maybe I won’t really miss who Brad will choose and I will not really miss the drama between Sammi and Ronnie on The Shore. This will be a true test of faith. In the absence of television, I plan to work on my relationships by picking up the phone or visiting more often. I will read the pile of books I have wanted to read. Who knows, I may even pick up something or someone new.

Below is some additional information about Lent. I gathered it from Wikipedia.

Ash Wednesday is a day of repentance and it marks the beginning of Lent. The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer — through prayer, repentance, almsgiving and self-denial. There are traditionally forty days in Lent which are marked by fasting, both from foods and festivities, and by other acts of penance. Today, some people give up a vice of theirs, add something that will bring them closer to God, and often give the time or money spent doing that to charitable purposes or organizations.