I am giving up!

It is time for lent. I know because I heard this conversation recently.
“Ya'll want some gum?”, “oh, not for me, thanks. I gave up sweets for lent”. Really? Not chewing gum counts as a sacrifice? I have no idea what the current standard is for “Catholic approved” sacrifices, but it just sounded a litte....superficial to me. However, after thinking about it I realized how wrong I was in judging this girl. (Maybe I should give up on judging strangers..mmmm?)

Throughout history people have designated a certain time of the year as the right moment to engange in sacrifice and penance in order to become better human beings and reach a state of peace or balance. It seems to me that this practice has recently turn into a time for giving up on things that, either are bad for us, or control our behavior. This idea seems like a reasonable one, but one I have always struggle to put in practice, because the obvious things to give up just seem silly. For example, if I have to choose something to give up during this time, it certainly isn't gonna be meat. Fish is expensive!! I mean I do eat fish, I love fish. But exchanging ground beef for salmon or shrimp is no sacrifice at all (except for my wallet), so in order to come up with a good “sacrifice” I am looking for something that will fall under this criteria:

A. It should help me be a better person
B. It should help others or ease their lives
C. In the long run, it should be healthy and something I can maintain.

Here's my list of what I am giving up (not just for lent):

1.I am giving up on lost socks. Truly, they are not coming back. I have no idea why so many decide to split up and try to make it on their own, but that's it. I officialy liberate the abandoned socks to pursue their new lifes as single socks. It's ok, if they want to go on and choose to become a “white with stripes and blue with squares” couple its fine by me. Go and mate little abandoned single socks, you are free to roam. Criteria B

2.I am giving up on NOT having chocolate everyday. I mean, who are we kidding? I love it. It makes me happy, at least for those 5 seconds. It makes me younger cause it is full of antioxidants. It motivates me to work out (how many push ups equall one extra dark chocolate square?). So, I am keeping it. I am not fooling anyone, certainly not me. Chocolate is good, let's be honest. Criteria C

3.I am certainly NOT giving up coffe. It is also full of antioxidants and smells delicious, but most important: I am a better person with coffe. Really, no coffe: no brain, no energy, no smiles. Can I cut back a little? Maybe, but I have not heard one convincing reason why I should. Yes, I do sleep well, and no my stomach doesn't hurt, in fact my hands stop shacking after the second cup. Also, I am supporting the agricultural development in Costa Rica. Criteria A and B

4.I am giving up on finding a job. I have a job! I am a full time mom, housekeeper, delivery service, finder of the lost sock (see?), cook of amazing chocolate brownies, etc, etc. I am sticking to doing the things I love, in fact, no.. I am passionately pursuing the things I love! If I can find a way to make money doing them, great! That would be incredible. I have the huge blessing of having a husband who really loves what he does for a living and gets paid enough for me to be able to spend time taking care of my family so there: I am no longer feeling guilty for not having a paycheck! Criteria A, B, C

5.I give up my obssesion with the idea of perfect. Yes, it has taken me 35 years to realize that that basket full of socks it is only gonna keep growing, we all have strong powerfull habits, and if I don't start now and try to be or do what I love, there's not gonna be another chance. I might never be the best writer, the best painter, the best cook or the best nothing.. so what? I am not perfect, no one is. Everyone looses a sock once in a while, and it's ok. Criteria A, B, and C

Mocha coffee anyone?

Cheers!