I'm finally taking the plunge.
No, I'm got getting a body piercing or a tattoo (though from time to time I ponder a nose piercing). I'm not going bungee jumping or skydiving, or anything dangerous like that. For Lent, I am giving up...meat. That's right. For 40 days (plus some change), I'm becoming a veggie.
Tonight, that was a big deal because for class we had dinner at a pub in Morristown. An Irish pub, no less. I kept staring and staring at that corned beef and cabbage line on the menu thinking, What in the world have I done to myself??? Day one: sorely tempted. But I managed to gather myself together and order one of the (very) few meatless items on the menu: fresh mozzarella and tomato salad. At an Irish pub. (sighs)
For as long as I can remember I've given up something for Lent - usually soda, candy, chocolate, ice cream...things of that nature. For the past couple of years I've added something as well: praying for 30 minutes every day, praying the offices, etc...something like that.
I don't think I've ever done given up something that has challenged me like this before. It's going to be one long season (and.....it's not even total, because there's a 20 lb. turkey that is going to be eaten on Saturday. So it'll be a vegetarian diet...plus some turkey).
Anyhow, because blogging has become somewhat of a spiritual discipline for me (at least, some of the more serious posts), I will be posting every day (not necessarily on this site. I might wander back into my livejournal for some friend-locked posts that are more sensitive). I have a feeling that this is going to be another challenging Lent activity.
Third and final Lenten discipline: 20 minutes of silent meditation everyday. Another challenge for me.
I pray that this Lent isn't going to kick my butt, but I pray that it will stretch and push me in the right direction.
2 comments:
Good luck!! I gave up meat last year and haven't gone back. I do consume a little fish from time to time (I'm in the Pacific Northwest after all!). When I gave up meat, I included some meditations and intentions on the meat industry, the value of all of creation, and my part in the industrialization of food. It had a profound effect on my life. I wish you well on this journey!
Thanks! I know quite a few people who have done it once for Lent and never gone back...my hope is that I will be able to find some sources of meat that not only are organic, but that the animals have been humanely treated all their life. I like the taste of meat too much for me to give it up all together...but we'll see where God leads me on this vegetarian journey.
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