The Challenge Begins

Lent: a 40 Day period of preparation for Easter Sunday and one of the major liturgical seasons of the Catholic Church. A penitential season marked by prayer, fasting, abstinence, and almsgiving (Catholicism.about.com)

As many of you may know, I have created a challenge for myself this Lent. The past two years I have successfully "given up" Facebook for the season of Lent. The first year I promised myself that I would only go on Facebook once a day, check my inbox and notifications and add a picture to my 40 day photo challenge. (That year I rediscovered that Lent's 40 days does not include any of the Sundays). Last year I had my room mate change my password so that I would not be able to access Facebook at all. Both have worked for me; however I must say I was lacking in the self control aspect both years. This year I am giving up Facebook on my own accord. No one will be changing my password and I will not go on once a day. (However, I will go on periodically for academic reasons... i.e. to view videos from various rehearsals.)

So why am I making this blog you may ask. The answer is relatively simple: without Facebook I should have ample time to devote to other aspects of my life.

One of my closest friends started this 30 day challenge because she believes that if you do something every day for 30 days it becomes a habit. I am modeling this Lenten blog after her example. I am challenging myself to complete my own list of tasks every day in the hope that (1) without Facebook I will find myself with more time to devote to these things and (2) they will become every day habits in my own life well after Easter. 

As Maria would say...

These are my 40(ish) days to a fresh prospective. 

and by that I mean here is what I intend to do every day:

Avoid Facebook

As I have already stated, I am way to addicted to Facebook. I get into a habit of having it open on my computer 24/7 and I cannot go on my computer with out refreshing the page. While I do use it as a wonderful means of contact with friends and family, I become too dependent on it. I hate how it turns me into someone who cares so much about what they look like to those around them by checking to see what my profile looks like the the rest of the Facebook world. 

Show two people how much they mean to me

I take people for granted all too often. I want the people in my life to really see and know just how much they mean to me. I want do take the time to reach out to those that I love and make sure they know just how much I care about them. I like to think that this will create a trend of people showing each other that they care for one another. 

Help out a stranger

All I want to do here is lend a hand to someone who is not expecting it. As a society, we do not expect those around us to be kind and generous. I want to change that. Ever read Pay It Forward? If you have not, you should. i want to start a chain reaction of kindness. 

Take three pictures of three beautiful things

I am surrounded by beauty every day and I feel like it is always passing me by. My hope is that pictures will help me to remember the little things that put a smile on my face every day. There is always something, and I believe that later, looking back at these pictures I will smile again remembering something small that was good for the moment or for a while. 

Look up at the sky

I know I don't do this every day. I want to make sure I open the shades in my bed room every morning because I have one of the most beautiful views from my window. I want to take a minute to look up as I am frantically running from point A to point B every day. I want to appreciate all the beauty God has created for this earth and all of the beauty that man has created around it.

Read for pleasure

I cannot even remember the last time I was able to take time to do this regularly. Every night before I go to bed I want to be able to read for a bit. Naomi recently lent me the book Heaven Is For Real and I have not been able to find the time to read more then the prologue. I plan to at least finish this book and one other before Lent is through. 

Take ten minutes to dance improvise 

Dancing is what I love, and I always feel better after I just dance around for a few minutes. Here's to hoping that I am able to do this every day and leave feeling a little better, a little happier, and a little less stressed.

So feel free to take this journey with me. I plan to be updating here daily with my progress so that I make sure I stick with this plan.