Lent - - Topeka,KS

LOL, my SO asked if we could give up going to Mass for Lent!

I'm going to ADD spending more family time and nightly 1 on 1 time with my son. And give up gossip and complaining.

The Oregonian newspaper had an article this past week that said many are adding in a helpful action instead of giving up something. This makes much more sense to me. Some examples were serving in a soup kitchen, collecting money for a charity, volunteering at a charity.

I always thought "giving up something" was a self-centered act. Instead, I donate a bag of groceries per week to my church's food pantry. I prefer to make Lent a positive instead of a negative.

I'm giving up self-deprivation.

Every year in our house we turn off the T.V. for lent.

I'd like to give up my dog for lent.....

On a serious note, nope. Not giving up anything.

Aren't there several couple's devotionals out there? Spiritual Journey for Couples, Moments Together, The FamilyLife Marriage Bible, etc.

For a non-religious couples thing you could try The Book of Questions.

Well I'm a crazy Greek Orthodox girl and we are sort of "forced" to give up meat as well as all other animal products for the duration of lent...so that's where I'm at! Of course it's always a choice, but the priest always "recommends" you go that route. :) It's super hard, but I will say it gives me an insight into the idea of sacrifice for sure. And, I have to admit that I do cheat on the dairy products but this year I'm going to try to do better with that as well. Of course we are also encouraged to add more good behaviors in addition to our sacrifice, like being on time to church (we mediterraneans are notorious for being late! ;), helping others more, volunteering, etc. Basically we are encouraged to do the entire kit and caboodle, not pick and choose, but ya know, we do what we can.

I can't remember the name of the book, but a good couple's book I heard about what the one where the couple did an experiment to have sex every day for a year, no excuses. I didn't read it personally, but heard it was very interesting!

Healthy living and feeling good about oneself as a result is a good Lenten goal. And get rid of the beating yourself up if you are unable to keep your goal. Be gentle with yourself in general while seeking your goals. Make intentions instead. People seem to continue to strive for intentions. It's the direction one steers his or her "ship."

I endured a lot of negative thinking and "you're bad" messages in connection with these kind of activities. The whole tradition is based upon intentional self-suffering. I'm done with the suffering. It has caused more harm than good.

I gave up Facebook. Day two and I am ok!! Whew!!!
I am also reading more, no more late night TV.
My daughter gave up FRIED FOODS!
I never fry anything at home, but if we go out, that means no FRENCH FRIES!! That's big for a teenager!!
I gave up Coke (what y'all call pop) a few years ago for lent. I still rarely drink it! I never buy it.
Good luck!!
Blessings!
D.

potatoes.. got to loose weight and they are a guilty pleasure..

My hubby and I are both giving up sugar. Pop would have been a good thing for me to give up! Maybe next year!

Wine-for me, that's huge!