Lent starts up this Wednesday. For us Christian/Catholic folks that usually means we ask the classic Lenten question: “What are you giving up for Lent?!”
We say things like our beloved indulgent “chocolate” or our social lifesaver “Facebook.” It is a lovely practice to “go without,” to fast, a practice found in many religious traditions, in order to BE in and FEEL emptiness, allowing God (or Light, Love, Goodness) to “take up residence” in that emptiness…and transform us.
I think the question that comes up for me is not “WHAT am I giving up?” but rather:
“Does this draw me closer to God?”
Yeeeees. Does. this. draw. me. closer. to. God? If that means “giving something up” or fasting from something, go for it.
Often my Lenten practice has not been about giving up sweets or denying myself some physical, emotional, social, or spiritual pleasure. I can be a hard worker, the Capricorn goat pushing a boulder up a hill, taking my responsibilities seriously…too seriously. I have needed to learn to SIT and ENJOY and fully BASK IN activities and relationships that nourish me, that give me pleasure and deepen my capacity for joy. Yes, me learning to PLAY instead of work…that draws me closer to God.
So Lent, for me, has often been a time of engaging in a practice that is pleasurable and nourishing – to my body, mind, heart, or relationships. A practice that nourishes, holds, tends to, and brightens my heart.
This year my friend asked if I wanted to give up sweets with her. “Yes,” I thought, “I do need to lose some extra lbs.!” But then I thought, “Does thinking about extra baby weight really draw me closer to God?!!” And I knew the answer was “no.”
So I sat with what was stirring in me. What emerged: “Soften.”
Soften my judgment of myself and others, soften my approach to taking on the “to do” list, soften my talk and speech, soften my “pushing myself,” soften my attachment to future planning.
This “softening” is both a practice of fasting and of “taking on.” It’s fasting from harshness – those habitual ways of thinking, doing, and relating that are harsh and harden my heart, kill my joy, and push away the Light. It’s “taking on” a mindful way of thinking, doing, and relating that nourishes, soothes, and expands my heart…letting in Light and God’s tender presence.
So I will join my friend in “giving up sweets” not just from the motivation of losing some lbs. but rather from the desire to be “in cahoots” during Lent with a dear friend whose presence in my life nourishes my heart and whose playdates lighten my day. Every time I fast from a sweet, I will think of her. And my heart will smile. And if this means we have a day together of some “mindful indulgence” in chocolate, that’s just what the Big G ordered! 😉
So…what will draw you closer to God this Lenten season? A phone call to a dear friend, giving up chocolate, taking a few mindful breaths before starting your day, giving up harsh ways of treating yourself, skipping to your car???! Do share!
* I’ll be writing a series of posts this Lent about the Lenten season as heart-stirrings emerge! Stay tuned!
Blessings,
Oh Lisa, I nearly cried reading what you wrote. Who needs sweets when I have a sweet friend like you! I’ll be thinking of you too when I work at beating my sugar addiction;) For me, a big part of it will be to bring my focus back to healthful eating and treating my body more like a temple to God, know what I mean? It will help me start getting into the mindset of asking, “Is this good for me?” before eating/doing anything. I want to work on having a healthier life – physically, mentally, and spiritually. Resisting the sweet cravings will force me to ponder what it is that is drawing me to that craving, what void I am trying to fill, and what will be a better way to fill it. Same with FB – what void am I trying to fill? What could I be doing that would be more productive to my need for social interaction? I’ve got three kids here who need social interaction more than my old classmates from school. This Lent, I’m looking to have a more productive life, to dive in instead of just treading water. I’m so glad that you will be diving in right beside me!
I just wanted to add that EVERY year I try to give up sweets for Lent, and I am never successful. But this is the first year I’m doing it with this particular mindset. Usually I just think about Jesus resisting temptation, but this year I’m going to think about who it is that Jesus wants me to be.
When I read Lisa’s Post; my first thought was, the voice of my Muse Claudia, “Maybe you should give up working so hard; and spend the extra time sharing bliss with your Shield Bearor”
Who knows, maybe Im just being naughty and “blaming it” on Claudia, but at the same time I think there is something here; back in the Ancient world Giving something up for lent makes a certain sense; spring has arrived but it’s still some time till first harvest; what will you give up to help your clan get through;
But Claudia, I think Claudia would see it another way, Anar after all is a pretty prosperous place, no one has a whole lot more than they need, but no one goes without; (Thats implied but not spelled out so in Pandora’s Song) but Claudia would say, What would you Embrace for Lent.
Would You pick up the Paints you’ve let sit for too long,
Give voice to a song that’s been still for too long,
Pull on some boots that have been clean for too long.
The Murian Question would be,
… What will you Embrace, and How will that bring you closer to God.
Or More so
What will you Embrace,
And where in that will you find the Whisper of the Dragon.
Lisa, your thoughts are so beautifully written! I should start off by saying that every year, I give up sweets for lent only to last a week if I’m lucky. I’ve been pondering this question for sometime in preparation of Lent. All I can say is that I still have a few days to figure out what to do this year – I like your way of thinking – it’s much in-line with my own thoughts on the meaning of Lent though you’ve captured it so eloquently.
So for now, I’m resting in thoughts that will hopefully bring to focus what I can do this Lent that will bring me closer to God.
Oh Lisa, what a great question!! As a former Catholic, I think this question has greater power and more meaning for me. Thank you!
Oh friends, what lovely words you all share! I love the question BB offers — “What are you embracing (being called to embrace) and/or what is asking to embrace you/how is God asking for you to let God embrace you!” Sooo lovely. Thank you for sharing, dear ones. Your comments are always encouraging to me.
Maim, I don’t know you, and I don’t wish to intrude. I just want to say THANK YOU.
I’ve given up so many things for lent to prove my devoutness…it’s been so hard. And I understand Lent represents also the suffering of Jesus, but what good is doing that if I’m just suffering and going through the motions in the meantime? I have a lot to think about. Thank you.