Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Ash Wednesday

I know I have promised D.C. blogs (and they are coming), but today is Ash Wednesday and I figured that that should hold priority.

I have thought about and revised my Ash Wednesday “resolutions” over the past few weeks and have come to the conclusion that I will give up:

1)Ice Cream (I really don’t need it)

2)Any baked good that I don’t make myself (forcing me to practice and perfect my baking skills)

3) Complaining

I did give up complaining last year and it worked so well that I thought I would try it again and really focus on what I say and think. I really don’t have much (or anything) to complain about and so I am going to try not to complain for the forty days of Lent and longer. There are better ways that I can express that I don’t like something or that I am not comfortable and so I will work on that.

Last year I also gave up all baking and baked goods. While that worked really well, I really do want to improve my baking skills. Also, just because I bake something doesn’t mean that I have to eat it. I WILL HAPPILY GIVE AWAY ANYTHING I BAKE! I want to get people’s opinions of my food. If you have ideas, requests, or simply want to be a guinea pig, please let me know!

I am also giving up ice cream because it is something I eat far too often that really doesn’t need to be in my diet. I am going to try to find healthier alternatives and try to cut back or cut out the night time snacking.

In addition to all of this, I am going to try to add something to my routine. I have not been exercising enough lately and so I am going to try to fit in at least 30 minutes of exercise twice per week. There is a gym only a few minutes’ walk away from my first class on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and there is no reason why I can’t get to campus a little bit earlier to squeeze in some exercise.

Throughout the forty days, I am going to try to be conscious of why I am giving things up. I am going to be spiritually aware and really focus on the why and the who. I am not only doing this to better myself, but to also better my spiritual connection and relationship with God. I have been a very dormant Christian in the past few months and I really need to focus on what should be a huge aspect of my life. While I am certain it’s not all going to come at once, I can make the effort to take small steps towards strengthening my faith.

The D.C. blogs should be coming up in the next few days. There will be at least six, so be prepared to read quite a bit!

Until Next Time!