So Lent begins today, and

I'm not going to do 40 days of Lenten posts this year.  I've tried that the past two years, and I always end up with something going wrong (computer breaking, family sick, etc.)

But I have been thinking about what I want to do with this year during Lent.  I like the idea of having 40 days to do something.  40 days is not so long if it is something hard to do and that you don't really want to change, but long enough to start making it a habit if it is something you want to change. 

And I don't know if I am actually going to "give something up" this year.  And I'm not going to make sure and do something something specific every single day.  I am going to be a little more gentle with myself and go for something a little more open-ended. 

Here are some things that I've thought of doing for the next 40 days:

- Trying to get to bed earlier at night.
- Doing some walking outside each week
- Finding a time to do something special with each member of my family
- Reading more
- Writing more
- Making time to do something with a friend or two
- Trying to pause before I start speaking when I'm annoyed
- Cooking more
- Working on a business plan for both my freelance writing/training business and for Simply Living In The City
- Starting some seeds indoors

I'll report at the end of the 40 days to let you know how my "Gentle" Lent went this year.

Tomorrow Begins Lent . . .

A couple years ago, I was going to do a series of posts during Lent that focuses on the main activities of Lent - prayer, fasting and giving. ( I was inspired by Elizabeth's , author of Real Learning book, blog. She did this back in 2009 too.) But after a few days of posts, I got very sick, and then we got a terrible computer virus, and it just didn't work out.

So I'm going to try it again.

Anyway, so every day, I'll discuss what I'm going to do in terms of prayer/mediation/etc., fasting/sacrificing and giving for that day.

I'm also going to use this Lenten period as a time to focus on the 7 Areas of Wellness (Remember this post?) For the next 40 days, this is what I'm going to do in each of the Seven Areas of Wellness:

1. Emotional - Write in my journal every day.
2. Environmental - Walk or bike whenever possible for the next 40 days. Including grocery shopping.
3. Intellectual - Read a book each week for the next 6 weeks.
4. Physical - Jog six days a week and eat only whole foods.
5. Social - Sign up for a class through Parks and Rec or the community college of something non-academic that interests me.
6. Spiritual - Learn more about meditation.
7. Vocational - Send a resume, job application or network five days a week for the next 6 weeks to try and find another source of income.

Sorry, I've been sick - Lent Day 13

All mine today.

Fast - No chocolate today. This is a very real fast for me. I don't know about the rest of you, but I will surely notice it.

Pray - Search, Ponder and Then Pray.

Give - Give each member of your family at least 5 hugs today, and at least one at an unexpected time.

Lent Day 7

Elizabeth's Fast and Give and my Pray.

Fast: Don’t read blogs or message boards today. Ask God to make you aware of how much time you have gained and to show you how He wants you to fill that time.

Pray: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering” (James 1:5–6). If you have any questions about any member of your family, ask Him and it shall be given to you.

Give: Go outside and play with your children. Don’t just watch them, engage.

Lent Day 6

My Fast, Elizabeth's Prayer and Give.

Fast: I will get quieter when I feel like yelling today.

Pray: Read a passage from Scripture and then sit, without saying or doing anything, for 10 minutes.

Give: When you make dinner for your family tonight, make it good enough for “company.” Because they are.

Lent- Day 5

The Fast activity is mine today, but the Pray and Give are Elizabeth's from 2/28.

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Fast: I will not watch TV today.

Pray: Don’t just tell God you love him. Show him.

Give: Treat your children’s feelings with the same care and sensitivity with which you expect others to treat yours.

I am not Catholic

(I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, in case anyone was wondering) and I don't know that much about it, but I have been checking on the Real Learning Message Board for a couple of years, and many of the women that post on the board are Catholic, and I've learned many things.

In the LDS church, we do not observe the Lenten season, or even things like Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, or Good Friday, but we do observe Easter. But last year, I decided to give something up for Lent to help me focus on Jesus' sacrifice.

This year, I'm focusing on the main "activities" of Lent - prayer, fasting and almsgiving - and choosing a few simple ways to bring them into our home. I was inspired by Elizabeth's , author of Real Learning book, blog to do this. Here is the suggestions she had for prayer, fasting and almsgiving on Ash Wednesday.

Pray: Listen. God is speaking to you right now. Stop interrupting.

Fast: Skip reading magazines, blogs, or anything else in the world that inspires self-pity instead of self-confidence.

Give: People are more important than things. Remember that your time and your attention are more valuable commodities to your family than your accomplishments.

I'll be honest, somedays I'll copy what Elizabeth is doing for her day, but other days, it will something specific to our family's situation. (I will credit Elizabeth when I use her suggestions though!)

So for the next 30 some days, my posts will probably be frequent but short. I'm sure I'll throw in some "regular" Simple posts too, but I want to let people know.