It’s that time of year again. After Presidents’ Day furniture sales, it’s only a hop, skip and a jump to Lent.
Lent. Cool picture. No explanation. Photo: Relevant Mag
Last year I gave up gossiping. This year, something harder.
First, I’m not Catholic. My closest association is several years of Sunday night mass as an undergrad at St. Louis University. Protestants weren’t allowed to take communion, but we got plenty of free wisdom from the Jesuits. There were no “Hallelujas” or “I feel the Spirits!,” but those priests could preach.
Second, you’re not supposed to showboat during the Lenten season. It’s a time to reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice and love. (I was reminded of this in a church bulletin a few years ago. No zoot suits that year.)
Let's make Lent count! Photo: someecards
Third, I like to do something transformative. Reducing my salt intake or doing 100 crunches a day doesn’t do the trick. This isn’t a Take 2 for a failed New Year’s resolution.
So, at the risk of showboating and public failure, I’m going to share my Lenten commitment: No complaining.
I’m an expert complainer commenter. I can “comment” on a traffic jam, loud talker, open mouth chewer or otherwise irritating trait, behavior or situation. So this is a big deal for me (not that it’s a burden…that would constitute a complaint).
Furthermore, I enjoy complainers. Joy Behar is my favorite lady of The View. That’s evidence enough. Her long list of dislikes is endearing to me. It adds character.
But then there are the Andy Rooneys of the world. Their volume is on 10…and their noisy nozzle is always set to “spray.” Complaints are dished indiscriminately about everything from tiny newspaper print to oversized grapefruit. This type….not so lovable.
So in an effort to fall somewhere closer to Behar than Rooney, I’m squelching my sour thoughts. Who cares? So what!
I sometimes think I like the SNL Joy better than the real one!
haha, loved this, although, I have to put my 2 in here. cronic complaining… ah, never mind. lol
great blog.
http://valentinedefrancis.wordpress.com
You are a brave, brave soul…
I wish you luck. These days, with so much beautiful fodder for complaining, I’m not sure what I’d do with myself if not for that outlet. Oh wait: Perhaps blog more…
Great post — nothing to complain about there!
No showboating?!? Booooo!
Best of luck staying off the complain train.
I dig your blog.
lol, love that SNL clip. I too like Lent. One could say love it. Such a beautiful time of the year.
Thanks for the great post!
I happen to be quite a complainer myself. Repeated noises especially. And I hate traffic jams. And people who act like they know everything. And when my coffee has more milk in it than coffee. And other stuff I’m sure you wouldn’t be interested in.
I also complain about stuff that doesn’t matter to me but matters to others. Sometimes I think I do more than my fair share of complaining. In fact, it totally wouldn’t be wrong to say I complain for others.
Congratulations on being Freshly Pressed!
Ashley, aka TheEverydayMuser
http://www.theeverydaymuser.wordpress.com
I interact daily with a wonderfully cerebral bunch of Christian bloggers so I’ve been considering Lent from differing perspectives throughout our blog sites. I wanted to read what a person would say about this season who was not from my inner circle. When I saw this on the wordpress opening page, I was delighted. Thanks for allowing me into your world. I enjoyed it very much since complaining is an issue for me, and I love the Jesuits, as well. (Have you ever checked out http://www.sacredspace.ie?)
I spent last evening trying to figure out why the definition of Lent is the 40 days of penance and sacrifice before Easter beginning on Ash Wednesday. When I counted from Ash Wednesday to Easter, I got 47 days. I learned (on Wikipedia, that top spiritual site for explaining the mystical, ha!) that you don’t count the Sundays as they are considered mini-Easters. Who knew?
Be blessed,
Dawn
I never heard of Freebie Sundays until the last 10 years. When I think of all the Sunday’s I could have been loading up on chocolate and soda, the child in me has a retroactive tantrum. I’m suffering a massive no-Coke headache right now and longing for Sunday.
I second your resolution – no complaining, though artfully complaining is a difficult habit to give up. Especially since it can be so carefully hidden in witty sarcasm. Is it still complaining if it induces laughter?
And it does sometimes feel like a second New Year’s Resolution! I’m not Catholic, my closest association being years of Catholic school, which has somehow left an indelible imprint that Lent must be followed, that it’s one of those rare, understated occasions that doesn’t include buying gifts or flowers or chocolates.
I am glad to know I am not the only one sharing her Lent purpose. If you have a chance, feel free to visit http://bit.ly/hZGJe3. I Like Lent too!
I like lent as well. In fact I look forward to this time of year. It’s a time to replenish and build resources for the year to come. Out with the old in with the new and improved. A time to purge what one has been holding on to. And a time to meditate on what one desires to be.
The only whining I’ll enjoy is a Chateau Mouton Rothschild…
congrats! on being FP.
spread the humor: charlywalker.wordpress.com
My son announced that he will be giving up his Bible for lent . . . my husband is a pastor . . .
I do like the idea of giving up gossip and complaining. Much more meaningful than chocolate, and much less likely to be missed.
Great Post.
Good luck to you. I haven’t even thought about what I might give up for Lent. Hummm…Blogging while at work?
Crystal
The notion of actually giving something up is so un-American. Very counter-cultural . It’s a good exercise to decide what matters most to us and shed it for a while to see how much it really does matter to us.
Thank you for the laugh. I never knew Fred went on The View but it was great. Congrats on being freshly pressed. BTW, I have no idea what I am giving up for Lent this year.
I’m not a fan of The View, nor of Joy Behar…but if Fred Armisen is dressed up as Joy, you better believe I’ll be watching.
Best of luck on giving up complaining for Lent…especially if you get caught in a traffic jam.
very funny and endearing post. that’s a tough lenten resolution, but a great goal. in this day and age i feel like the internet has become such a complaining platform, it’s always good to spread some positivity! good luck!
I would have never thought about doing that. Good luck with it.
Definitely loved your blog
I think it’s great that you’re trying to take on something for lent.
Nice! You know what’s funny? I think you have a slightly clearer understanding of lent than half the Catholics I’ve know. Thanks for making me smile!
Yes I like the SNL Joy better as well because it’s just a skit and only lasts a few minutes every random Saturday. The real Joy is daily, on TV for way too long and she usually has no point as to why she dislikes things, except to be controversial.
So, after reading this blog I decided to give up the real Joy Behar for Lent…and I finally have a Lenten commitment that I will have no problem keeping.
Good post, I love the way you took the topic of Lent and gave us your insight. Congrats on being Freshly Pressed.
Blessings,
Ava
xox
Thank you for a humorous take on the ol’ 40 desert adventure haha. I’m catholic and I wasnt sure what I was going to give up this year. No complaining is a great idea. Does bitching on twitter count though? Great post and congrats on Freshly Pressed!
And all I gave up is my drug of choice: CHOCOLATE
Congrats on being freshly pressed! Nice article.
I’d like to give up complaining as well, but don’t know if I could!
I’m giving up laziness and overeating. I tried last year with success for three months. I’m going to do the same year and see if it last for 6 months.
Pray for me!
So what? Who cares? Loved it. I wish you luck, I find it hard not speak my mind but if you can handle it then I salute
haha I love the creativity! I am giving up energy drinks and coffee for lent :/
I really like the idea of giving up something that is the root cause for a lot of our problems.
I’ve given up alcohol. You’ve inspired me to give up complaining too.
Great post… And I have to agree with Andy (mostly because he makes me laugh).
Complaining is my forte and would be hard to give up. So I commend you for even trying. As a Joy Behar fan myself, if you can strive for a little Joy in your life, the rest will follow!
Congrats on being freshly pressed!
SNL ROX!! it’s very very funny all the time.
I love that people are starting to consider Lent as a way to look inward. I found out that there is a Buddhist Lent that lasts three months, so what’s 40-something days?
I am a somewhat wayward Catholic who decided to give up Facebook for Lent. It’s a weird experience and I’m just on day two.
http://thisprodigaldaughter.wordpress.com/
I should add that I realize you are probably being somewhat tongue-in-cheek, but if your committment is a valid endeavor, we all know it is a difficult one in an age where we can all flaunt our views so easily. I’m definitely trying to adopt that as well. I think complaining is human nature and should never be given up entirely, but by giving it up, an awareness could develop.
Good luck to you! Lent, I would like to add, is also about conversion. You are correct in it is not New Years Resolution, Take 2. Resolutions are almost always about some way to improve yourself – you are asking yourself to do something that is good for you. Lent is another matter altogether because conversion is altogether a different matter. Conversion is a response to the request from that small still voice that we so often ignore, “Follow me.”
No complaining is a bold endeavor! I gave up coffee and Facebook!
I am actually looking at Lent this year as an opportunity to re-examine my relationships. I’ve been ignoring my closest friends and deeper down, I’ve been going through life on autopilot. I was raised old-school Catholic but became a Lutheran (we also observe Lent) many years ago. The idea is to understand that life on this earth is a limited time offer (from dust you were made, to dust you shall return) and God has a purpose for our lives in the time that we’re here. Heavy stuff. I realize all too much that my cynicism and incessant whining do get in the way of the Really Important Stuff.
From a spiritual point of view it doesn’t hurt to take a look at Psalm 51:
“Create in me a clean heart, oh, God, and renew a right spirit within me…”
Prayers are in order for all of us as we seek God’s will and purpose in our lives.
I too gave up complaining for lent I am hoping it won’t be a huge struggle, but I find myself surounded by complainers even more so since I took on this “change”. I have found it a challenge to not complain when a group of others are. I have become “Pollyana” for the next few weeks.
While I am not Catholic, I have worked at a Jesuit University and really embraced some of their “preaching” if you will. Thank you for sharing. Good Luck!
I agree. Cool pic.
Oh, wait, this is about Lent. Not the pictures. Well… my take on Lent requires a whole blog post, not just a little comment box and they aren’t too wonderful to warrant even that.
Oh how wonderful! I love it! And what a great thing to give up. I may just have to copy that one. I’m a bit of a complainer….if you haven’t read my blog. But where do you draw the line between complaining and I guess blogging?
I think giving up complaining might be one of the most difficult things one can do. I tried going for an entire day once without saying anything negative. I discovered two things: I had nothing to say. And that’s because virtually everything I would have said was meaningless in the big picture. I think we all might have to just stop talking.
I like Lent too. And I’m trying not to say negative things, tricky isn’t it??
God Bless
x
Oooohhhh. That’s a hard thing to give up. Good luck with that. All though you can complain in a positive way and maybe that won’t count.
I complain about modern art, fashion, and other things to numerous to mention. Now that I have retired, I have no one to complain to except my dogs. Does that count? Congrats on your being Fresly Pressed and blessings to you on your lack of complaints.
It’s good to see so many people following Lent.
Pray for me. Me and all my party loving friends (All my party loving friends and I?) are giving up alcohol.
And we’re going to be complaining about it.
That’s a great lenten giveaway!
Great post try fasting for 30 days really easy once you get used to it lol
You’re right. Those Jesuits can preach!
My husband would LOVE it if I were to give up complaining for Lent. I just don’t think I could do it though.
Great post! Congrats on being Freshly Pressed!
I agree. Cool pic
I’m that type of person who never complains about anything even if you drop a brick on my foot. I was wondering why people were walking around with crosses on their foreheads, goes to show you I don’t know much about it. I’d probably give up a similiar vice if I wanted to tough on myself: no being negative. That is definitely not easy!
So what, who cares? That was too funny and she is a hilarious complainer. Now Andy Rooney….he is a depressing complainer. I love 60 minutes but I can’t stand watching him. It’s like a grumpy old man who complains about everything! So I usually turn it off at the end. Besides, those eyebrows drive me crazy!! I just want to trim them so badly. I’m afraid he can’t see past those bushy hairs. Great post.
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Congrats on being freshly pressed.
I have given up alcohol – and trying not to complain about it.
http://givingupforlent.wordpress.com/
Good luck!
I’m giving up Facebook! And you know what? So far it hasn’t been that bad. Like you, I like Lent. It’s like a second try at those new years resolutions that fell through.
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most people give up eating meat for lent… giving up complaining is something new. nice blog
Love your post! I’m giving up cursing. Though I have slipped a few times… haha.
Great post….love the comparison from Baher to Rooney…..So Funny
I like this post and the cleverness of the point. But now I’m wondering: how can a community of bloggers survive without voicing “complaints?” It kind of takes the fun out of posting? Doesn’t it?
http://www.NYCMatters.com
Good luck in maintaining your commitment on not complaining – I can’t ever imagine accomplishing that. This year’s Lent, I’m giving up Facebook and fast food.. going quite good so far.
Hi, just found your blog on Freshly Pressed. I loved it and am going to subscribe! So fun to read. BTW, I AM a Catholic
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Lent is nowhere Biblical, it’s a tradition of out of the Catholic Church, their influence is upon the other prost.; there is a scripture that tells us that the rudiments (things adopted from heathen practices) of the world will produce a low no show in the teachings of GODHEAD, see Acts 17:16-34; Romans 1:20 & Colossian 2:9 (the word GODHEAD is the correct meaning of the word Trinity). So much has creeped into the RCC & it’s two Tonto’s that the Christians as a whole have begun to question more. What is the worst that could happen now? An order to burn the Bible, or the living Saints of whom we are.
Love the Bible, the Godhead, and the Saints gone before us; but pray those who would choose to blind us to pagan ways. Favor w/GOD in Jesus’ name is better than all the treasures of the world. The same folks who laid down the palms for our LORD JESUS are also the same ones who cried, put him to death ask yourselves whose side are you on. It cost nothing to set aside a time of fast, & GOD see the heart of man w/o the traditions. Traditions are nothing but bulls & goats. Isn’t Jesus suppose to be the final sacrifice. That’ is why the “Veil of the INNER Court was split from the top to the bottom. Lent in my opinion has nothing to do w/a deeper relationship w/Christ Jesus. It cannot save us from eternal seperation from God.
Good luck on that. I feel that is something I should do, but being that this is the first time I’m actually participating in the Lenton season, I wanted to do something I could actually see all the way through. I’m not Catholic either, but my mom is Catholic and the guy I was dating is so I decided to educate myself a little more. I decided to give up meat. Cliche i know, but thats one of the only things I indulge in. Let us know if you made it at the end.
I totally agree that Lent is not a second chance at a New Year’s Resolution. I am Catholic and this year the priest stressed the three things we are to do during Lent: pray, sacrifice, and do charitable works. I’m really trying to focus on those three elements this year (and giving up swearing! You would not believe what stress does to my vocabulary!).
Besides, having lived in a Muslim country, I am ashamed at how feeble our version of Ramadan is!
Kathy
http://www.KidCulture.wordpress.com