It’s Ash Wednesday again and you (may or may not) know what that means: yup, today is the day when the charcoal bunny hops to the houses of all practicing Catholics and smears an ashy cross on their foreheads. This is an ancient custom in which we are exhorted to remember that we all come from ashes and to ashes we shall all return. The visual effect of this is something akin to the zombies in “The Serpent and the Rainbow”. To me it has always looked a little creepy. Today also marks the beginning of the Lenten Fast, or Lent where traditionally Catholics abstain from eating red meat until Easter weekend. While this obviously means different things to different folks (or nothing at all to some of you) to me, I tend to think of it as the last mass celebration of faith that hasn’t been commercialized to death. Yeah, I know, major chain restaurants are gonna start pushing their fish and poultry menus, but, other than that, you’re probably not going to hear much about it. That, by itself, was enough to catch my attention – particularly in a culture where political correctness dictates the how and why of mass-market holiday cheer and trendy, conglomerate churches close their doors to the faithful on Sunday because it was also Christmas morning… and no one wants to go to church on Christmas, right? feh
In any case, my personal religion (and interpretation thereof) is fairly fluid; not a strict set of doctrines and laws but rather a loose set of guidelines that I use in my personal relationship with God. It’s in this vein that I participate in Lent by giving up for 40 days something or things that I like. This year I have a veritable laundry list:
-1. I will give up smoking. (yikes)
-2. I will give up beer and malted beverages. (Wine and liquor are okay, its just beer that is not good at all for my doughy physique)
-3. Unhealthy snacking. I will be allowing myself a day of celebration every week where crap-foods are allowed. Remember, moderation in all things. Except smoking. That’s right out.
-4. I will give up fast food. Yup, this one is gonna kill me.
-5. Pornography and all the happy stuff that goes with it. I shan’t elaborate=)
-6. Lastly, I will be giving up a bit time each evening to sit with my boys, perhaps with my guitar, and quietly interact with them.
So there it is, my contribution to spiritual harmony during this holiday season.
LaChaim!
12 comments:
-4. I will give up fast food. Yup, this one is gonna kill me.
Chris have you seen Supersize me? For that matter have you read Fast Food Nation? It might help with this one (maybe 3 also). :-)
And when are you coming to see us?
once you get 1-2 weeks w/o fast food, it starts to get really easy.
5? wow
5. Pornography and all the happy stuff that goes with it. I shan’t elaborate=)
Wha... but... you... I... I don't even know who you are anymore! What have you done with my friend?!
"If God had intended us not to masturbate, he would have made our arms shorter. -George Carlin"
Not that I'd trust ol' Geoge as a spiritual advisor or anything. Just sayin'...:P
The one thing I didn't say is: Dude, you have my total and complete support in all of this and if I can help shoulder the burden, lemme know.
Oh yeah...that too. I agree with Evan completely. That's totally what I meant, duh. ;)
Happy Birthday Chris Taylor!
I love the "Britney says" sidebar. We should make WWBS t-shirts with some of her stupidisms on the back
Hey, Happy Late Birthday, old man! Sounds like you had a great birthday. Wish we could have been there to celebrate with you! What's been going on lately? I see you haven't updated in awhile...
Did you forget 7. Not post things in my journal. Cuz it seems like you picked that one. :-)~
Okay Honey...these guys are really starting to creep me out every time I check in on your blog there they are...just staring...and grinning...with ash crosses on their considerable foreheads...they have to go so...
POST!!
Love ya babe
Come out, come out wherever you are......! We miss you! Consider this a formal request to get your ass posting again.
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