Lent 2014

Here it is, Lent 2014, and we're a week into the season.  I'm late to post my "goals" for what I want to do this year for Lent.  A comment from a lovely cousin prompted me to get on the ball and write this post.  It's been NINE MONTHS since I wrote last!  Wow, that went fast!

As you know, I love the season of Lent.  It allows us to slow down, reflect, and work on our spiritual connection with the Divine.  So, what will I focus on this time?

• Well, for one, I finally opened the "Incredible Life Workbook" for 2013 on New Years Eve, December 31, 2013.  [And I don't even consider myself a procrastinator!]  I read through it, and felt like it would actually be helpful for me at this stage of my life: I'm settled in my new apartment and it feels like home, I am adjusting to life in my unmarried state, I'll be wrapping up my Masters of Education degree in about a year, and am now parenting a teenager and her inquisitive younger sister!  So, I went through the workbook and crossed out all the 2013's and wrote 2014 in sharpie.  Even by the end of January I had seen how helpful this workbook is.  Heck, even by the end of New Year's Day, I'd tidied up two (2) whole rooms!  It's been great, and I recommend it v. highly!! There's even a FB group based on it, if you want some company along the way.
• I have been struggling with some serious stomach problems for the past year and a half, and started the GAPS Introduction diet, based on the concept of fodmaps.  So far, in the past week, I've had a dramatic reduction in my symptoms, so I'm going to definitely stick with this plan.  As we know, one aspect of Lent is fasting, so I'll be doing this.  Again, for health reasons, not to lose weight.  Plus, it's a good opportunity for me to practice "following the rules," which is not something I gravitate towards naturally.  :)
• Last year I said I would read Proverbs.  I never did.  This year, I'm thinking I'll focus on one of the Gospels instead, probably Luke.  I'll let you know how that goes.
• I've also been browsing this Lenten Practice from the River Church in NYC that I read whenever I remember. And this Lenten Booklet right before bedtime.

There's still lots going on in my life, all of which (even the things I don't immediately recognize as such) are blessings.  This blog is usually the last thing I get to, and my absence sure proves that!  But I've been thinking about using this space as a place to write about the transformation of my ideas as I've gone through the experience of being a student.  I've learned a lot in and out of the classroom, and as my official academic program winds down, I'm finding that my mind is exploding with new ideas.  Well, new ideas to me.  Maybe I'll find a way to carve out time to explore them here.

May you have a Good Lent.