Lent 2012: Giving Up Unhealthy

I find that Lent is the only time of year that I have enough self control to follow through on giving up things that would otherwise be something I enjoy even if it's not the greatest for me. It is the one time that I'm not just doing it for myself. It has been nice to go through this with friends who are going through the similar journey. My 40 day journey this year will be "giving up unhealthy". 

While wrestling thorough what to give up this year, I kept running into the idea that everything was so connected. Let's say I wanted to give up being negative (which I do), I would then think "well when I don't get enough sleep, or exercise, or eat right, this is almost impossible". All of the character building things I wanted to do revolved around my lifestyle as a whole. Having a sound mind to make wise choices for myself is so difficult when the rest of my life is off kilter. 

I started seeing a councilor a while back and she was saying that I am too hard on myself. After one session she gave me some homework. She asked me to do things for myself. She wanted me to ensure an early bedtime was a regular occurrence and that 30 minutes before I wanted to be in bed I would start getting ready. Like when you were a kid and you had a routine. The point was to focus on taking care of and doing things for myself.

I tried this and it really made a difference. I immediately didn't feel like I was always rushing around so much, like I didn't have any time for myself. Since then I have been really trying to enforce a 10 o'clock bedtime. It makes life so much easier, and happier.

Our bodies are so interconnected with our mind and soul. This is why for lent this year I am going to take a more holistic approach. Here is an outline of my ambitious venture. 

Physical

Food:

I am going to try and avoid anything processed or refined. Including grains and sugar.

I will consume:

• Meat (not deep fried but any other preparation within reason)
• Fruit & Veg 
• Quinoa
• Honey & Maple Syrup
• Minimal Dairy

 I will not consume:

• Grains
• Legumes (lentils, chickpeas etc)
• Refined Sugar (white, brown etc) - including candy.... 
• No Processed Foods (unless it has been home canned by myself, a friend or other reliable sources)
• Booze

Exercise

My goal is to exercise a minimum of four times per week in any of the following: 

• Ballet
• Yoga
• Gym

Mental/Spiritual

My goal is to find a balance. I want to be more loving, patient and humble. I want to learn to keep my mouth shut when I'm pissed off. 

Mental

• Bed By 10pm
• Waking Up at 7:30am
• Think Positively, Don't Get Lost In Negativity
• Give Me A Break: Show Grace to Myself.
• Controlling My Tongue: Swearing, Negative Talk, Gossip etc.

Spiritual

This is all made possible by daily focus on the reason I am doing lent in the first place. Sacrificing for the sacrifice that was made for me. 

• Daily Meditation
• reading, praying, stillness, etc.  

AMBITIOUS?! I know... I want to be a better person. A person worthy of the call.... y'know?