Giving

As in giving up.

As in 'What are you giving up for Lent?'

This is a question that plagues me every year, and now that it's the night before Ash Wednesday, it's officially crunch time.

I sometimes have difficulty in understanding the whole giving something up for lent.  I get the whole need to sacrifice during this time and making our lives a little uncomfortable, but what if we flipped the whole idea?  What if instead of giving something up, we chose to do one good deed (more if you're so inclined) a day?  What if you chose to make the world, at least your little corner of it, better by simply giving instead of giving up?

I like to think that Jesus would approve.

Perhaps, for Lent, you try something new and give one thing up and give one thing away.

You could give a smile.

You could give advice.
You could give a much needed hug.
You could give the gift of time.
You could give thanks.

I know the past few months I have zeroed in on my faults and lack, and honestly,  I'm ready to turn that around.  I'd like to turn my focus on others and see how I can help make their lives better.  I know karma has a beautiful way of giving back to me when this is done, so I am going to go for it.  For the next 40+ days, I am going to find a way to make someone's life better every single day.  I'd love to say that I'll blog about it every day, but you know me better than that.  I will try to as much as possible, but every and day are two words that haunt me.

They are words that procrastination laughs at.

So what am I giving up?  Well, that's a bit more challenging for me.  I'm leaning towards candy and snacking in between meals, but who knows.  I'll wake up tomorrow and know what it will be.  I know that a good night of sleep will lead me in the right direction of what I need right now.

"Once there was a tree.
And she loved a little boy."

I wish you all a wonderful Ash Wednesday, and may you find more ways to give during this time.