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).