Lent; notion of self-discipline

The season of Lent has not been well understood by many.For many of us growing up, Lent meant “giving up candy.” Lent has traditionally been marked by penitential prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Some still observe a rigid schedule of fasting on certain days during Lent. As part of self denial, most people observing lent practice vegetarianism, several also give up things they like most such as chocolates, pastries etc, or forgo one or more regular meals a day.

Lent starts on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 22, 2012) and ends on Holy Saturday(April7, 2012), 40 week days, Sundays not included.
I still miss the Carnivals in Goa, which comes from a Latin phrase meaning "removal of meat," is the three day period preceding the beginning of Lent. The streets of Goa used to go into wild festivity, eating, drinking, merrymaking, street parties, skits, floats, etc. But it wasn’t until I hit late twenties; I did realize the significance of lent. Fasting/abstinence in some form or the other is part of a lot of belief systems, and I personally feel this may be God's way of instilling some amount of discipline in man. To see someone overeat on something you love, and to be able to resist joining in would require self control and discipline wouldn't it?
My purpose of observing lent is to refocus on spirituality in a culture that has increasingly secular values; to keep my sense and sensibilities awake. I do not want to go on a ‘preaching and teaching’ speer. But there is something I would like to share, I cannot sleep when the wind blows…flabbergasted as to what it means????…the story goes thus….A young man applied for a job as a farmhand. When the farmer asked for his qualifications, he said, "I can sleep when the wind blows." This puzzled the farmer. But he liked the young man, and hired him. A few days later, the farmer and his wife were awakened in the night by a violent storm. They quickly began to check things out to see if all was secure. They found that the shutters of the farmhouse had been securely fastened. A good supply of logs had been set next to the fireplace. The young man slept soundly. The farmer and his wife then inspected their property. They found that the farm tools had been placed in the storage shed, safe from the elements. The tractor had been moved into the garage. The barn was properly locked. Even the animals were calm. All was well. The farmer then understood the meaning of the young man's words, "I can sleep when the wind blows." Because the farmhand did his work loyally and faithfully when the skies were clear, he was prepared for the storm when it broke. So when the wind blew, he was not afraid. He could sleep in peace.
While there was nothing remarkable amazing in the young farmhand's preparations, he just devotedly did what was needed each day. Consequently, peace was his, even in a storm. I want to adopt this way of thinking both at work and back home. I tend to keep things to the eleventh hour…starting this lent, I want to be a bit more organized with life.This may involve early rising or time spent away from a favorite hobby or activity.
As the the season of spiritual preparation for Easter begins in 2 days, Mega goes Veg, by choice, rather than an obligation! I never drink alcohol, nor smoke so I do not have to carry out restrain on intoxication.
Wishing all my christian ILS a rewarding spiritual journey this lent.

 

Hi rkji
Many thanks, I was fortunate enough to have friends from different faith, states, languages...I learnt such a lot from all of them (in fact more than what I imbibed from the books). Gave me a global perspective , and taught be the great truth that every religion conveys the same message of love and tolerance. Thanxxx for those wishes.
Mega

 

Hi knbg
At the onset let me do the honours , your post and fbs keep IL shinning....to that I raise a toast ( if u are done with fixing your coffee, I raise the coffee mug).
I firmly believe, all said and done, everything melts down to the all purifying furnace of spirituality, some may agree the rest my disagree, but them I can only speak for myself. ThnxxxMany for stopping by.
Mega

 

Hi Pallavi
Thank you for your warmth and wishes. Nobody is perfect and I am not even close to being one....will start a bit by bit....hopefully one day I might get closer.
Take care and gnite
Mega

 

Dearest Bhargs
Not able to keep in touch with you as much as I would please, blame it on work pressure! Yeah.....it's lent time again, a year has whisked by......yesterday marked the official beginning of lent 2013, and I am a veggie again!
My children are skipping junk food, their own decision ; no choco, candies, chips, Pepsi , fizzy drinks! They go veg just the last 10 days!
A bear hug to your sonny....and to you!
Mega