Thanks for the ideas/suggestions.
As far as this being God or religion, I guess that's not really what I'm after. I'm after God. And I know that God is not always found through religion. But I know that any opportunity to bring you closer to God isn't a bad thing. If it was something different intending to honor other gods or cultic practices that I was trying to "transfer" over I may have more hesitation in taking part, but as a whole the practice of fasting for Lent is intended to prepare the heart and bring a person closer to God. The other rules that go with it (I don't even really know them, sorry), I know are similarly intended but not my choice of how I will honor God during this time and not something I feel is essential. I hope that explains it without any condemnation towards those who do hold to those practices. As I said, if you're after God- then an opportunity to bring you closer to God isn't a bad thing (now, doing it because you're told to and obeying because "it's the rules", well, if that's how you see it then maybe study your own heart and motives in participating... just a thought :) ).
To those who gave some suggestions, thanks! It's interesting to hear what others are doing (or not doing, as the case may be) right now and I appreciate the ideas :)
Tonight I committed... I'm going to fall off of the "online planet" of blogs and forums and I've put all of my "google reader" blogs as minimized except those marked as RR parents that are adopting. Occasionally I'll hit the 'mark all as read' so I don't have 10,000 unread blogs in a few weeks! I said "see ya later" in my online forums too. For now my 'online time' will be mostly e-mail, blogging (yes, I'll still be posting here- just not reading other blogs that aren't related to RR!), and my RR families.
That said, I feel like I'm losing touch with a lot of friends, some of whom are in 'tricky' health situations, and so I want to say that if you have a prayer request please e-mail me to let me know so I can pray for you. I don't want to stop supporting others and I really enjoy each of the families that I follow! I'll be back soon :)
Thank you for your thoughtfulness. I am a cradle Catholic who now finds a great deal of meaning in the MINDFUL following of my church's Lenten practices and traditions. These things can be done in a rote fashion and certainly then all meaning is lost. The important thing is to do it with your heart and if you can't then my feeling (like yours) is that you needn't do it at all. On Ash Wednesday we always listen to the scripture that tell us not to be like the Pharisees and "rend our garments" when we fast, but rather to wash our faces and present a cheerful face to the world and give our sacrifice to God alone.
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