Lent anyone?

FYI, you're not supposed to tell anyone what you're sacrificing. You're supposed to sacrifice in silence, and go about your day as normal.

QFT

Besides, I don't know if giving up m&ms or Dr. Pepper, or whatever, is necessarily the self-sacriice that was initially intended. I think lent should be changed up that you have to do something (out of the ordinary) good for others for 40 days. Maybe if that means taking that $2/day that you would have spent on Dr. Pepper and giving it to a charity, then that'd be cool....in my opinion.

FYI, you're not supposed to tell anyone what you're sacrificing. You're supposed to sacrifice in silence, and go about your day as normal.

QFT

Besides, I don't know if giving up m&ms or Dr. Pepper, or whatever, is necessarily the self-sacriice that was initially intended. I think lent should be changed up that you have to do something (out of the ordinary) good for others for 40 days. Maybe if that means taking that $2/day that you would have spent on Dr. Pepper and giving it to a charity, then that'd be cool....in my opinion.

We do things like this in my family. The reason for Lent is lost among today's fad/restrictive dieters.

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QFT

Besides, I don't know if giving up m&ms or Dr. Pepper, or whatever, is necessarily the self-sacriice that was initially intended. I think lent should be changed up that you have to do something (out of the ordinary) good for others for 40 days. Maybe if that means taking that $2/day that you would have spent on Dr. Pepper and giving it to a charity, then that'd be cool....in my opinion.
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We do things like this in my family. The reason for Lent is lost among today's fad/restrictive dieters.
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You have made a valid point.

FYI, you're not supposed to tell anyone what you're sacrificing. You're supposed to sacrifice in silence, and go about your day as normal.

QFT

Besides, I don't know if giving up m&ms or Dr. Pepper, or whatever, is necessarily the self-sacriice that was initially intended. I think lent should be changed up that you have to do something (out of the ordinary) good for others for 40 days. Maybe if that means taking that $2/day that you would have spent on Dr. Pepper and giving it to a charity, then that'd be cool....in my opinion.

Some people aren't religious and are doing it to better themselves or see what they can accomplish. I see nothing wrong with that!

Who are you to judge where the money goes? They may give craploads of money to charity throughout the year. Blah blah blah - just get over it.

Then don't call it a Lenten sacrifice. The original intent of Lent is to sacrifice something that takes you away from God or do something out of your ordinary to bring you closer to God. That is what makes a Lenten sacrifice religious. It is also not something that is supposed to be announced. You sacrifice in silence because only the Lord needs to know what you are doing. After all, you're doing it for him.

If that is not the reason for you giving up something, then don't call it a Lenten sacrifice. Call it a short-term goal.

FYI, you're not supposed to tell anyone what you're sacrificing. You're supposed to sacrifice in silence, and go about your day as normal.

QFT

Besides, I don't know if giving up m&ms or Dr. Pepper, or whatever, is necessarily the self-sacriice that was initially intended. I think lent should be changed up that you have to do something (out of the ordinary) good for others for 40 days. Maybe if that means taking that $2/day that you would have spent on Dr. Pepper and giving it to a charity, then that'd be cool....in my opinion.

Some people aren't religious and are doing it to better themselves or see what they can accomplish. I see nothing wrong with that!

Who are you to judge where the money goes? They may give craploads of money to charity throughout the year. Blah blah blah - just get over it.

Then don't call it a Lenten sacrifice. The original intent of Lent is to sacrifice something that takes you away from God or do something out of your ordinary to bring you closer to God. That is what makes a Lenten sacrifice religious. It is also not something that is supposed to be announced. You sacrifice in silence because only the Lord needs to know what you are doing. After all, you're doing it for him.

If that is not the reason for you giving up something, then don't call it a Lenten sacrifice. Call it a short-term goal.

I meant my previous statement as "focus on yourself, don't worry about others!"

I used to actually partake in Lent every year, now I just do it for the things I find as a vice. Just ignore it, there's nothing earned out of complaining about it. Also, maybe find the good out of how popular it has become? Just my thoughts.

I actually am catholic. I am doing the following..

(4) crossfits a week
(4) runs a week with a min of 20 miles a week (except for cut back weeks)
(100) crunches a day min
No white.... potatoes, pasta, bread etc.
(1) ONLY diet coke a day
(1) gallon of water a day

Working on my body mind and spirit this 40 days of lent... and I hope to reach my health and happiness goals that way!

FYI, you're not supposed to tell anyone what you're sacrificing. You're supposed to sacrifice in silence, and go about your day as normal.

QFT

Besides, I don't know if giving up m&ms or Dr. Pepper, or whatever, is necessarily the self-sacriice that was initially intended. I think lent should be changed up that you have to do something (out of the ordinary) good for others for 40 days. Maybe if that means taking that $2/day that you would have spent on Dr. Pepper and giving it to a charity, then that'd be cool....in my opinion.

Some people aren't religious and are doing it to better themselves or see what they can accomplish. I see nothing wrong with that!

Who are you to judge where the money goes? They may give craploads of money to charity throughout the year. Blah blah blah - just get over it.

Then don't call it a Lenten sacrifice. The original intent of Lent is to sacrifice something that takes you away from God or do something out of your ordinary to bring you closer to God. That is what makes a Lenten sacrifice religious. It is also not something that is supposed to be announced. You sacrifice in silence because only the Lord needs to know what you are doing. After all, you're doing it for him.

If that is not the reason for you giving up something, then don't call it a Lenten sacrifice. Call it a short-term goal.

I meant my previous statement as "focus on yourself, don't worry about others!"

I used to actually partake in Lent every year, now I just do it for the things I find as a vice. Just ignore it, there's nothing earned out of complaining about it. Also, maybe find the good out of how popular it has become? Just my thoughts.

I'm not really complaining about it. I'm just trying to educate what it means to give something up for Lent. It mostly amuses me that people say they are doing something which they really know nothing about. I can't really comment on the "good of how popular it has become" since it is being largely distorted the more mainstream it gets.

Last year I gave up just sugar and dropped 8lbs... it was crazy.

This year I decided to give up sugar, processed foods, fried foods and alcohol. Mind you, I've extended it from 40 days to 55... I'm on day 4 today and it's going surprisingly well.

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I'm not really complaining about it. I'm just trying to educate what it means to give something up for Lent. It mostly amuses me that people say they are doing something which they really know nothing about. I can't really comment on the "good of how popular it has become" since it is being largely distorted the more mainstream it gets.
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Not all of us are Catholic (I'm not) so we do not have the same rules or requirements that they do. There's actually nothing in Scripture about Lent. As far as fasting, Jesus just said to not make a big deal out of it publicly so others would look at you and say, "Oh, look, the poor spiritual dear. See how godly he/she is because he/she is fasting." (my paraphrase, obviously)