I'm not giving anything up. I'm going to try and be nice to Mr. jhujenn. Oh 40 days of joy here I come.

that's what i am giving up too!

I have a question, being a non Catholic......although I should know the answer since I graduated from a Catholic high school.....what is the purpose/meaning behind Lent?

I got the easiest explanation yesterday at Mass. Lent is a time to take a step back from your life and re-evaluate how you are living it. You use the time to figure out what things are completely out of control and then pray and/or "give up" something that is contributing to the lack of control. Lent means "spring" in some other language (I can't remember) and in a sense, you are "spring cleaning" your life.

Does that help?

Good call on that definition..I think the priest where I went to mass wednesday had something of that nature in his homily. To add to that when I went through RCIA, the deacon in charge of our program expressed that giving up stuff was a good idea, and to try to continue it past Lent, pick something you really need to improve on in your life anyhow.

This year I am giving up: biting my nails (it's a nasty habit anyhow), & swearing. Both of those are things I want to give up anyway...so I figured it would give me added impetus. Oh, I'm giving up being lazy...meaning I have to get out an exercise at least a little every day.

Nothing!

But I did have pancakes on tuesday!

I'm Jewish, so I'm really not giving up anything. However, I am giving up caffineated drinks (Mountain Dew in particular) because I got really sick the other night from caffiene. But I am going to try and give them up for good, not just lent.

i'm giving up computer games this lent - all of them... civilization, solitaire, free cell... even those evil msn games like text twist and alchemy. i figure that by doing this i will inevitably focus on my schoolwork more...

- marissa

After hearing that definition and talking to another GCer tonight I hve decided to give up men for lent.

BTW, I'm Methodist, what other denominations observe Lent (other than catholics & methodist)?

Going out to the bars. i know, its unusual, but if I focus that 'drinking' time on being at home and furthering my relationship with Mr. AOII, then I believe that is part of really embracing Lent. The more time I spend at home focusing on my happiness, and getting to know my family again. oh yeah, and carbonated drinks.:D I gave up regular sodas for diet ones for my diet, but now I will try to give up ALL carbonated bevs.

About half my Lutheran friends do and about half don't.

Anglicans observe Lent too.