Happy Easter!
Yes, I know - a couple of hours early. I was out this afternoon and discovered that while I've been hiding at home with a cold, spring has arrived. The magnolia trees are blooming (one of my favorite signs of spring) and everything seems neon green.
This is an interesting Easter for me. It's the first time I've "given up" something for Lent. Growing up I always thought that was a Catholic thing, but I've been learning a lot this year and decided the time was right. I've learned a lot of both spiritual and practical lessons.
Practically I've learned that our whole society revolves around sugar. Seriously. It's in everything - medicines, pasta sauce, juice... the list goes on and on. We also seem to organize so much about what we do around caffeine and sugar. Every work meeting seems to come with cookies and coffee. Every church activity revolves around sugar and caffeine. Even juices often have added sugar. I've also learned how few vegetarian options there are out there. And memo to work - a tuna sandwich is NOT vegetarian.
Spiritually I've learned not to keep putting things off until I'm perfect or until I'm sure I'll succeed. That's sooooo not the point. I had tried doing this several other times for medical or weight reasons and failed miserably. Yet, this time I didn't feel like I was deprived. I spent more time celebrating what I could eat.
I also learned that a lot happens when you're not looking. I was fretting that I hadn't spent the time in prayer that I should have been. Yet now I realize how much I've grown over the 5 weeks. Spiritual adventures rock!
For a long time I couldn't figure out why people would fast. Seemed like something who's time had passed. It's nice to know I still have a lot to learn.
Unfortunately, the end of lent is messed up with a bad cold. I haven't been able to focus on Holy Week because I haven't been able to focus at all. I'm hoping for a fast overnight recovery so I can celebrate Easter Morning in style (hint - it will start with Earl Grey tea with milk and honey).
So, Happy Easter! And here's to new traditions and making the season more meaningful.
This is an interesting Easter for me. It's the first time I've "given up" something for Lent. Growing up I always thought that was a Catholic thing, but I've been learning a lot this year and decided the time was right. I've learned a lot of both spiritual and practical lessons.
Practically I've learned that our whole society revolves around sugar. Seriously. It's in everything - medicines, pasta sauce, juice... the list goes on and on. We also seem to organize so much about what we do around caffeine and sugar. Every work meeting seems to come with cookies and coffee. Every church activity revolves around sugar and caffeine. Even juices often have added sugar. I've also learned how few vegetarian options there are out there. And memo to work - a tuna sandwich is NOT vegetarian.
Spiritually I've learned not to keep putting things off until I'm perfect or until I'm sure I'll succeed. That's sooooo not the point. I had tried doing this several other times for medical or weight reasons and failed miserably. Yet, this time I didn't feel like I was deprived. I spent more time celebrating what I could eat.
I also learned that a lot happens when you're not looking. I was fretting that I hadn't spent the time in prayer that I should have been. Yet now I realize how much I've grown over the 5 weeks. Spiritual adventures rock!
For a long time I couldn't figure out why people would fast. Seemed like something who's time had passed. It's nice to know I still have a lot to learn.
Unfortunately, the end of lent is messed up with a bad cold. I haven't been able to focus on Holy Week because I haven't been able to focus at all. I'm hoping for a fast overnight recovery so I can celebrate Easter Morning in style (hint - it will start with Earl Grey tea with milk and honey).
So, Happy Easter! And here's to new traditions and making the season more meaningful.
posted by Joy at
6:37 PM
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