Today is the First Sunday in Lent. I’m not giving up anything. I’m not taking on anything. I’m happy with the way I am. It took a lot of years and a lot of effort to reach this point.
I’m not smug. I’m content.
I don’t eat chocolate much. I don’t drink much. I don’t eat meat much. I don’t chew tobacco.
I don’t curse much. I don’t judge others much. I don’t hate the president anymore. I don’t hold grudges.
I love my neighbor as myself. I don’t covet my neighbor’s wife. I don’t make graven images.
I do unto others as I would have them do unto me. I love my enemies and bless those who curse me. I don’t give alms, but I do donate to nonprofits and Democratic candidates. I believe in equality and justice for all.
I render to Caesar the things that belong to Caesar and to God the things that belong to God. I pay my taxes. I remove box turtles from the road.
I don’t turn stones into bread. I haven’t sold my soul to the devil in exchange for power, glory, and dominion. I don’t leap off high cliffs expecting God to save me. I don’t believe in that kind of God. I believe in facts not fantasy, reason not religion. I believe in love.
I consider the lilies of the field and the birds of the air and don’t fret about tomorrow. I honor my parents and don’t abuse my children. I bring my pets in when it’s freezing cold.
I don’t carouse much. I rise early. I do yoga. I eat oats, nuts, and berries for breakfast. I take a nap after lunch. I bike three days a week and walk in the woods the other days. I cut and split my own firewood.
I read for an hour or so every morning. I work on my blog or my new book for a few hours. I shun Facebook. I answer emails promptly. I don’t tweet.
I observe the Sabbath.
It may be Lent but I don’t need to give up anything or take on anything. I’m happy with the way I am.
I’m not smug. I’m content.
I’m not vain. I don’t toot my own horn.
Yes, I lie.
But not much.
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See Paula’s photo “Bittersweet and Lavender” on the home page. Posted Feb. 21
Aspiring to sainthood and failing miserably every day has been a constant source of consternation in my life. Acceptance is a beautiful gift that comes with age. At least for a little while!
Which part was a lie? Sounds like the real thing to me. Except you forgot to mention that being from Youngstown gives you a special sense of humility. Way to go, Randy!
Love these words of wisdom, and the Selfie you’ve posted up front. I’ve never been one to give up or take on anything for Lent. And now your words provide a rationale from an authority— who seldom lies.
For Lent, I think we should all do more carousing. Outdoors of course…
That’s the word I was looking for while reading this post- acceptance. Freedom from judgement. Free to enjoy life. To breathe. We learn to fix the things we can and leave the rest alone.
Reading this brings me a peace & acceptance; a sense of gratitude… with age can come wisdom – after all the striving, & letting go, what a gift! ??
A professor friend with an abiding sense of humor and wit once described Lent as “ritualized depression”. Perhaps that’s the case for millions of Christians. But, in the light of your own self-reflective words and spirit, I recall the words of Wayne Dyer: “When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”
Makes sense to me!
[Going to] frame this wonderfully practical guide to life, faith, kindness, humility, and clean living. I’m convinced that this is precisely what Socrates intended when he mused “The unexamined life is not worth living.”
We have given up so much this past year, and the thought of giving up even more is daunting. That said, I am trying to give up my second glass of wine every evening. I have been successful 3 out of the 4 first evenings in Lent, a small victory.
This was such a delight and a comfort to read, especially since, for the first time in almost 50 years I have felt quite unable to give up or take on anything more this Lent. Now I feel somewhat validated! Although I can’t say I don’t eat much chocolate, because it is an especial weakness of mine (in fact if truth be told, I can often be found nibbling wholesome brownies for breakfast…) I’m working on weeding out the unbidden judgments that assail my mind from time to time; in fact work is ongoing in so many departments it seems a bit mean to load on yet more! Thank you.
You are re-lent-less!
For Lent, I will remember with great humility, that I am from Akron.