Written by tricia linden

I’m not giving up Chocolate.

Ah, the romance of self-sacrifice! The idea that we would give of ourselves to become a better person for ourselves and for others. Yes, a romantic idea indeed.

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent in many Christian religions. I was raised as a Catholic and for years I have followed the annual Lenten ritual of giving up something for Lent, the 46 days preceding Easter. (It’s only 40 if you don’t count Sundays!) 

While I’m no longer a ‘practicing Catholic’ I still observe Lent. It’s somewhat of a holdover from my traditional Catholic upbringing, but now I make the effort more to satisfy my personal preferences rather than to comply with religious tenets. I appreciate the idea of that I can choose to ‘give something up’ as a demonstration of my own willpower over the choices I make. I like to muster the determination needed to make a commitment and see it through to the end. It requires that every day I be aware of my choices.

For years I’ve given up liquor and chocolate, but not this year. This year I’ll continue to give up liquor – it’s not like I’m a really big drinker – but instead of chocolate, I’m giving up cakes, cookies and pastries. I know I could give up the chocolates, I’ve done it before, many times and I’m certain I could do it again, should I so desire. But I’ve never tried to do the cakes, cookies and pastries thing before, and this year I wanted to do something different. At least that’s what I tell myself.

I’m sure it has nothing to do with the BIG box of chocolates sitting at home in my cupboard. At least that’s what I’m telling myself.

Anyone else out there who still observes the Lenten ritual of self-sacrifice? Just asking.

Enjoy always, T

9 thoughts on “I’m not giving up Chocolate.”

  1. Hi Tricia, I’m catholic, also. Not as good as my younger days in the practicing but do observe Lent. We got away from the ‘church’ more than we wanted to when the kids’ extracurricular activities started holding events on Sundays (and some school events, too) and jobs started demanding it too. Those are not excuses, per se, but eventually became so. Times changed and church got caught in the web of change, also. The thing I’ve given up the most over the years is coffee….a tough go usually.

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    1. ohhh noo, coffee! Say it isn’t so. I gave up coffee whenever I was pregnant, which might explain why I only did it twice…. Give up coffee for being pregnant, I mean. Anyway, we’re all doing the best we can – and if you can give up coffee, cheers to you. 🙂 Enjoy always, T

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  2. Ha! Yes we’ll say it has nothing to do with your big ol’ box of chocolate! You should do what I do and give up lint for lent! But then I’ve never been a Catholic so I allowed. 🙂

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  3. Well, Tricia, I have nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award and I hope you are able to keep up with it considering your recent incident trying to catch BART….and of course you can find that at http://thomag2.wordpress.com Congratulations…..tom

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  4. I’m with you. I’m a lapsed Catholic but I always do something for Lent just to challenge myself. If there’s a payoff, it’s because I’ve done the work. I can pass on chocolate, cookies, cakes etc, plus coffee, but the question is: can I pass on wine for 40 days. Last time I lasted NINE days!

    I need HELP to surpass those measly nine days. Do you need a buddy?

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    1. You can pass on chocolate?? God bless you woman of wonder. Now the wine thing, Nine days and trying, I’m sure you can do better than than – or not. I’m not saying it’s easy but I keep trying. Enjoy always, T

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    1. You’re a better woman than I am. IF I had those things in my life I doubt I would be able to give them up! OOOhhhh I get it…. Enjoy Not giving up – giving up wild men and expensive sports cars…. always, T

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