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

[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.