Lent begins tomorrow! For the non-Catholics in the house, Lent is a period of 40 days leading up to Easter during which Catholics (and certain other Christians) sacrifice something to commemorate the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert enduring temptation from the devil (or at least that’s what this Wikipedia entry says).
In case you didn’t know, many members of Team HCG are Catholic. Making a Lenten sacrifice is one of our favorite Catholic traditions because (1) it’s trendy, and (2) people like to talk about it at cocktail parties. Word gets passed around of who is doing the hardest sacrifice and who has already quit. There is talk of the people who choose to “do” something rather than give up something, and everyone usually agrees those people are slackers.
Most Lenten sacrifices involve food or alcohol. CF, for example, is going big this year and sacrificing all forms of candy (including her all-time favorite candy, sour gummy worms (a.k.a. “squirms”), shown above). We give her a week.
I endured my most difficult Lenten sacrifice in 2005 when I gave up reality TV. I do not exaggerate when I recall that it was pure hell (isn’t that the point of Lenten sacrifices, though – a little taste of hell? You think it was EASY for Jesus to go without food and water for 40 days and 40 nights? Or to carry that damn CROSS? Sorry, Jesus, but I don’t think I can make it 40 days without “16 and Pregnant”). In Lent ‘05, I was a first year law student living alone in the metropolis of Carlisle, PA. Reality TV was in its prime, and there was little original programming available. It was all Laguna Beach, ANTM and The Bachelor/Bachelorette, all the time (disclosure: I no longer watch The Bachelor. The chicks got too slutty). All that was really left was Oprah, and I devoured every episode like a recovering alcoholic who got a hold of some O’Doul’s at her niece’s christening. My sister put it accurately when she called me and asked, “Why would you ever take on a sacrifice that might kill you?” It really was that hard.
Since 2005, I’ve tried lots of different sacrifices, including the usual sweets, chocolate, and carbs (the carbs sacrifice was a little more self serving than the others, I’ll admit). One year I even tried to give up cursing, but it was a worthless pursuit. Some of the most impressive modern day sacrifices I know of include giving up all forms of celebrity gossip (Caitlin – you know where I stand on this. I have never known a stronger woman. What would be the point of living?) and Facebook (Woodhouse – did you really miss it?).
The trick in choosing a perfect Lenten sacrifice is to find something that isn’t too hard that you’re destined to fail but is challenging enough to make you feel nervous about giving it up. I knew I had my sacrifice when I felt panicked at the thought of choosing it.
This year, I am sacrificing unnecessary shopping (with a strict definition of what is necessary). Obviously, it excludes boring shopping, like food shopping, gift shopping and replenishing of supplies shopping (i.e., buying more Creme de Corps). To many, this may sound easy. For me, it will be a daily struggle (especially in the era of HCG). No lunchtime jaunts to H&M, no browsing in Sephora for new lip gloss, no weekend trips to New York. No buying stuff because it’s awesome and it will make your life better. It will be a dark 40 days.
Good luck to the HCG readers enduring Lenten sacrifices themselves. Our thoughts are with you.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
HCG, I am having a dilemma today about what to give up. Lent crept up on me quickly so I hadn’t been thinking about it! My first thought was “being angry at people on the subway” but I’m destined to fail at that. Maybe I will take your “cursing” sacrifice. That sounds difficult but not impossible. Other things in the running: 90210 and Law & Order, cheese, pasta, desserts (note: I’ll only be choosing ONE. Choosing all would be like sacrificing my LIFE.). Help, please!
C: Take a deep breath! We feel your panic – we completely forgot that Lent starts tomorrow and had to scramble for a sacrifice ourselves. We agree that you won’t survive 40 days without being angry at all those commuters on the subway (that’s an impossible task). And honestly, we think you can find something better than cursing. Will you really feel “tempted” to curse, or will it simply happen by accident (in my case, I barely noticed I was doing it)? Will you find yourself in the midst of telling a story at a party wishing you could insert the F word? Probably not. We vote for TV or food – whichever you think is the most challenging. I know how devoted you are to 90210 and Law and Order, so those would be great sacrifices. Cheese, pasta and desserts are all strong contenders, too. Desserts would be the toughest for me (40 days without one bite of sweetness?). Choose wisely, my friend.
that picture of the squirms is making me want some! they look so colorful and delicious
Ugh. Now I have to follow through with my candy sacrifice. If I can do this for 40 days, I can do anything. I may also have to give up going to the movies, CVS, Wawa, Mr. Bulky and any other establishment that sells candy products. Easter is a long time away.
CF – I decided to do candy too (and fried food), so I feel your pain. I am also going to the movies TONIGHT so I will be tested right away. You can do it though, hang in there!!
HCG – thanks for the advice. I think candy & fried food is a good choice. Note that it’s just candy, not all desserts – I decided that I need some cookies every now and then. The real question is – is grilled cheese considered fried, even though it has “grilled” in the name?
Chocolate candy (BUMMER) and I am going to try very, very, very hard to not gossip or say mean things. If someone is being ugly to me…I will walk away–walk really, really far away!!
I gave up Twitter and cookies for Lent this year. And, I decided to stick to my cousin’s workout schedule. Now, Twitter sounds like an easy thing to give up. But, it is my first bookmark on my bookmark bar and it is more than impossibly harder than you would think. It’s only three days in, and I feel like I am dying. I know there has been a post about Boots, and I want to die that I am missing it.
what does this mean for the ARC reunion at C’s house? no shopping??!!!!!!
Hoolie: Go buy some squirms if you haven’t already. Do it for CF.
CF: You should share your newly adopted positive attitude about your Lenten sacrifice with the HCG community. Last I recall, you said, “You know what Gina, I don’t even care about candy anymore. This is for God.” Then you quoted the gospel in a weird, convoluted way whereby Jesus was telling you not to be a loser, to put on makeup and not tell anyone you gave up candy. Is that accurate?
C: I think you made a great decision. And NO WAY does grilled cheese count at “fried” food. I would definitely eat it.
CDW: Your sacrifice is admirable! I’ve tried to give up gossiping about others, but I always forget I’m doing it. You’re a better person than me.
Tara: When I first read you gave up Twitter, I’ll admit I wasn’t so impressed (cookies, on the other hand, are my kryptonite). Then CF told me you check it constantly, and I realized how much I check it as well. Stay strong!
Alex: Don’t worry – I already thought about this. We discussed that we wouldn’t be able to meet up in NY until mid-April, which is AFTER EASTER! Though maybe C would prefer we come during Lent so we don’t have to drag her into the city to shop on a weekend. We know how that is such a chore for her (wink, wink C).
HCG & Alex: it’s fine, there’s nothing to do in Long Beach unless it’s the summer anyway!! Someone has to buy me candy though to keep me happy. Therefore, we MUST go after Lent.
For the record- I am THRILLED to get a mention on HCG and I DID miss Facebook last year… for the first 10 days. Then I kind of forgot about it. I decided to go with something more painful this year; all sweets and french fries.
Woodhouse: We are thrilled to have you! I think I would have a similar initial reaction if I gave up FB, and I see how it could be easily forgotten. Sweets, on the other hand, are constantly looming, and I tend to get pretty violent if I can’t eat cookies. I know you will persevere until Easter :)