Lent : So it's that time again

Alright so it has become that time again, no not Spring Break and not Summer time. It is the time of Lent. Lent starts off every year on Tuesday- now Fat Tuesday tends to be a lot of people's favorite holiday because it is the infamous Mardi Gra; the time period were people go out get stupid drunk and do stupid things only to wake up the next morning in their underwear with a billion plastic beads in some weird apartment that smells like stale booze and sex.

Now I'm sure that not everyone celebrates Mardi Gra quite like that for example I will happen to wake up tomorrow in my own room without a billion beads and my pants on. Obviously a win.

But anyway on with the tradition of Lent. Lent is a tradition that is practiced by a ton of people,most commonly though Catholics. Now the beauty of this is that I'm not Catholic (although secretly I think I may be Catholic, kinda like when I run I'm also a Kenyan) , so why would I choose to practice something that forces me to give up something, that I probably really like and/or enjoy. Well the answer is simple, because one year my church decided to follow in the tradition and actually practice Lent and I have practiced it ever since.

Now for my practice of Lent I usually require myself to give up something that I consider maybe not a great habit, such as swearing and something that I enjoy but could be if in excess bad, say drinking. Every year I give up swearing on Lent and every year I never make it the full 40 Days it requires. Some years I feel if I'm lucky to make it through week one.

This year I have decided to give up a few things, I am going to try very hard to stop swearing. Swearing is pretty much built into my vocabulary, but not to the point where I don't sensor myself around certain company. However if I am with acceptable company I swear like a sailor, sometimes a little worse. Something I'm sure my mother finds not only endearing but lady-like as well. (if you can't tell that is serious sarcasm). I have also decided to give up drink, including for Saint Patrick's Day - which is my favorite holiday next to Christmas and that I find an essential part of my Irish heritage. This will be the first year that I do not give myself a free pass for St. Patty's for Lent. I've decided to give up one other thing, but let's just say that one is kinda personal.

This year for Lent I want to focus on becoming the person I would like to be and holding myself accountable for the goals I set, as well as being able to create some healthy habits. Here is to a time period of reflection and growth. May I remember that there is beauty in the struggle and that anything worth having or doing is worth fighting for. May you all be blessed in this upcoming season.