Lent

[jay]

The Lenten season is, for Christians, a time for self-reflection, introspection and change. Working on one's own stuff, and contemplating greater truths. Attitude adjustment. Observantly, one embraces some added discipline during the season, not out of some self-abnegating impulse but as a focus and means of facilitating reflection. Traditionally this has included self-denial disciplines (like forgoing favorite consumables or recreational activities) and/or active disciplines (getting up for morning exercise, volunteering or charitable acts, study).

I know that one of my own issues is that I'm counter-suggestive, wary of trusting others regarding myself and bridling against anything that faintly smacks of control. I tend to (slightly arrogantly) presume that I know what's best for me, more than any external individual or group.

So, at patgreene's suggestion, I'm going to choose a Lenten focus -- by not choosing it myself. Leaving it in others' hands, some of whom I've never met in person. A meta-level discipline, in effect. First I'll ask for suggestions, then in a couple of days post a poll, then be bound by the results until April.
[Poll #110855]

Comments

[patgreene.livejournal.com]

Well, actually, you made the suggestion... I was the one who commented that it would be an exercise in humility, which might not be a bad thing.

Suggestions

[hopeforyou.livejournal.com]

I didn't know if my suggestions would fit into the poll textarea, so here I am =)

I suggest that you actively pursue:
- Telling JL "NO" and asking him NOT to call you at HOME at 6 am or, frankly, any other time or place outside work.
- Going on holiday with Pat for a few days, and letting N take over the household during that time.
- Asking others for things you want without concern for potential rejection or keeping score.
- Treating yourself equally well as you would treat others.
- Taking more walks with me. We're behind, and I need the exercise. This would be an act of altruism on your part, but good for you, too.

I suggest that you stop:
- JL from dictating your priorities at work.
- Eating as much healthy food as you do -- and consuming some of my Aussie junk food.
- Spending extra time at work -- and going home or going out with Pat and friends instead.

So those are my two cents...or maybe ten cents, since they got rid of 2 cent pieces in Australia several years ago...

[trinker.livejournal.com]

If you were to come and ask me "what can I do in the next 40 days that will improve my life?", which I guess is what you've done, I'd suggest this:

Work on finding a way to value yourself, and in so doing, value your partners *for finding value in you*. I have a sense that you often devalue yourself and in so doing start to believe that your partners must be flawed if they love you. Find a way to love yourself. I suggest starting with The Art of Happiness by the Dalai Lama.

[7patches.livejournal.com]

There was not enough room in the answer space for my response:
Actively persue gratitude and humility for your Higher Power.

[dancing-star.livejournal.com]

I've only meet you once in person, but in your LJ what I can read of it, you seem very down on yourself, depressed. So My suggestion going on what little I know is that you need to find postive good things you like about yourself, and list 3 to 5 every day for the rest of Lent.

[geekchick]

dancing_star suggested: "you need to find postive good things you like about yourself, and list 3 to 5 every day for the rest of Lent"; I think that's a faboo idea (although I know how hard it is to do and might suggest at least starting with at least one thing a day and adding more as you think of them).

Yes!

[dawnd.livejournal.com]

Great idea. Let me add my voice to the growing chorus. And I agree with Geekchick--might be better for you to start with ONE thing each day, and add to the list daily. By the end of Lent, you should have at least 40 things that you think are good about you. And that's gotta be a useful list.

May I also suggest that if you get completely stuck, you can ask for input from other people. NOt that you can do this every day, or it will negate the exercise. But rather than allow yourself to be stuck in a down moment, solicit suggestions for general areas to look at, perhaps.