Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Oreos and Jesus.

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday.
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent
 and is celebrated forty days before Easter (not counting Sundays)

Not gonna lie, it's my favorite Holy Day as a Catholic.
Ever since I was a little girl. 
my brother and I at our 1st Communion
my hair was so red

Maybe it's because we get to sing Ashes, or maybe because 
I know Easter and therefore Spring is coming.

The past few years I have given up meat for all of Lent
but it always makes me feel run down and too skinny
so I am going to nix that this year.
I am having a hard time deciding because I know I can't slip...
it's kind of like a New Years resolution but shorter.
and you can't break promises to Jesus :)

I will probably give up these.
but I also want to do more

 so when I saw this on Kind Over Matter today it was perfect

practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty

Make a card at home & send it to a friend for no reason.
Give a compliment about your waiter / waitress to his / her manager.
Give a huge tip to someone when they least expect it.
Write notes of appreciation at least once a week.
Give a piece of fruit to a delivery person.
Tape the exact change for a soda to a vending machine or a payphone.
Pay the toll for the person behind you.
Leave flowers in front of someone's house.
Bake cookies for your neighbors.
Put quarters in the laundry machine for the next person.
Send cards with beautiful messages to anonymous people.
Leave chocolate on the desk of your co-workers.
Deliver a cooked meal for the entire family.
Hand-craft some jewelry for women at a battered women's shelter.
Have a clean-up party at a park.
Decorate your front porch with art.
Before you get off the bus or train, leave an inspiring book on a seat.
Give a flower to the bus driver or anyone else that looks like they can use it.
Arrange a clothing drive in your neighborhood.
Restrain from criticizing or saying anything negative to anyone this week.
Get kids excited about kindness! 
Print up some inspiring signs & post them around town.



 Are you giving up/sacrificing/implementing anything for Lent?

it's still Fat Tuesday so I am going to go eat the rest of my oreos!








14 comments:

Andy Quirks said...

thanks for this post. i'll probably make a list myself. will hear mass lunch break instead of devouring meat!

xoxo,
andyquirks.blogspot.com

alissa said...

i have never really 'done' lent - but i love the idea of using that time to do more good - random acts of wonderfulness:)

Gwen said...

this is my first year doing Lent.
i am giving up sugar period and im gonna work out more :D

Anonymous said...

this is a very inspiring list! ive always felt after being a child and giving up candy or soda, cutting anytihng out of your life that hurts your relationship with God is better than me giving up carbs...this lent I will try not to be as negative, really make an effort to get to church on sundays(im so bad) and trust in Gods plan more...and do these randoms acts of kindness( I may repost this next week!)

BuenoBueno said...

im not catholic but i like the lent thing.
i could never give up oreos. good luck you can do it!!! hahaha.
i really beleive in you!!!! let us know if you kept it up after 40 days:)
Brandi
xo

Anonymous said...

L.O. V. E. This!!!

Erin Kim said...

i really like the concept embedded in Lent. I'm not Catholic but I'm a rather devoted Protestant and I really think everyone should partake in Lent. As for myself, I think I'm going to give up facebook for a while. Haha. and your list is so inspirational, i may have to make one myself. thanks so much for sharing! and best of luck! i think this is an inspiring post for everyone. :)

g'bless ya,
erin :)

Jacque said...

I have always loved Ash Wednesday and Lent too! Self denial in order to grow closer to Christ which I think is beautiful! I love your idea to practice random acts of kindness!! Really sweet! I'm giving up meat and dairy this Lent along with promising to pray and read the bible more. I just discovered your blog and love it!! It's so cute! Glad I stumbled across your little space on the internet!!

Salt said...

I'm pretty non-religious so I don't give things up for Lent, but the random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty is something that I should be doing every day. Thank you so much for posting this! (And enjoy the rest of your Oreos!)

Unknown said...

Great post! I love the pink filled Oreo!Have a sweet day!

Alli (One Pearl Button) said...

I love those ideas - so wonderful!

Lyndsy said...

I gave up chocolate, beer, fro yo, ice cream, gelato and pinkberry. I heart Easter as well!

Unknown said...

ooh! such a good idea- I believe I'll follow your advice! I gave up chocolate, but it's nice to know that people realize Lent isn't just for giving things up, but also improving their way of life in general...and giving of themselves is the perfect way to do that :)
Love it.

Amanda said...

Hi!!! Just wanted to stop by & thank you for posting about our blog, it means so much to us!

Peace to you! xoxox

Post a Comment