Getting Up & Giving Up

I'm a morning person.  Week days I get up around 5 and do my exercises (or walk when this long, cruel winter finally ends) before I get ready for work and get the rest of my family up.  I like the early morning.  And I like that the change to Daylight Saving time means longer days.

But today, when I got up and the clock said 6 and I knew it was really 7, it was painful getting up.  I guess I'm getting a bit lazy on the weekend.  I've been sleeping in.  And by sleeping in I mean sometime after 7. (Although I've been really decadent a few times this year and slept past 8!)  I just did not want to get up.  But I did.  There were things to do (such as laundry; although I skipped this morning's exercise routine).  With a cup of coffee (have I mentioned that my husband makes the best coffee in the world?), I have gotten my act together.  The sun is shining and I'm glad to be up with this beautiful new day.

Besides Daylight Saving time, this past week also brought Lent.  As a adult, I decided to observe the season.  I don't recall how long ago I decided to make the decision, but it's been at least 20 years.  Every year I give up something I really love.  And aside from my family (because there was no way I could give them up!), I really love chocolate.  I am truly a choco-holic!  Letting it go for 40 days is NOT easy.  I've been known to have dreams during the season of Lent about chocolate!  (Yes, that's how serious I am about my chocolate!)

But giving up chocolate also makes me appreciate it more.  There is nothing sweeter than that first taste on Easter morning!  When I was younger, I used to stay up till midnight just so that I could have that sweet taste.  These days, sleep means more to me than chocolate.  (Although with this recent cold that I've had I've given up ALOT of sleep and it's not something that I recommend!).

During the season I TRY to remember WHY I'm not eating chocolate.  It's not just about giving up, it's about remembering why it's important to do so (at least to me).

This season, I'm also trying to do something else (although I have to say that I'm not applying it as well as I should be).  A friend passed this on to me and I wish I could give credit to whoever said it/wrote it.  But I can't (although if anyone knows who it comes from please let me know.)  It's something to think about, and it doesn't jut have to apply to Lent.

 Give up resentment and become more forgiving.
Give up hatred and return good for evil.
Give up complaining and be more grateful.
Give up pessimism and become more hopeful.
Give up worry and become more trusting.
Give up anger and become more patient.
Give up pettiness and become more noble.
Give up gloom and become more joyful.
Give up doubt and turn to God.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

We Have Taken America Back

Image
Back to a time when all men (and women) are not created equal.  Where women's healthcare is determined by men's laws and not by medical professionals. Where education tells only the "winning" side of the story and truth does not matter.  Where banning and burning books is a social event.  Where people who are "different" than those in power can be mocked, shunned and hurt with no real consequences. Where lies are acceptable and integrity is  just a word on a page We have moved into a time where rage is the rage.  Where hate is not just normal, but accepted and even cheered. Where leaders can ask to have their "enemies" killed and no one will bat an eye.  Where it's "funny" to see someone struggle.  Where felony is applauded. Where compassion is not shown and caring for others is looked down upon. We have taken America back to a time of pain and suffering for many.  Back to when the "haves" can have and the have nots don'...
Read more

It's Not About Starbucks (or is it)?

Image
  About a block and a half from my home in a major intersection.  At the southeast corner (which is nearest to me), is an empty building.  Back in 1995 it was a Bank of NY (I remember this because they didn't shovel/de-ice their parking lot well and my husband fell and broke his ankle one Monday morning.  I recall this clearly because we were not yet married and it was the first day of a new job for me.  I had gotten on the bus to work and he was catching a later one; only he never got there.  Instead he ended up laying on the ground until an employee came to open up the bank.  Then he had them call an ambulance AND my mother who took control of the situation until I arrived home that night blissfully unaware of what had happened that day.)  It eventually became a Chase Bank; the second one in my small little town.  It eventually closed.  I'm not sure when but it's been empty for quite a long time.  (I do know that it was open in 20...
Read more

As Is

Image
  Today I want to discuss what I think it is a relatively simple concept, but may be difficult for some, even an attorney who might have once, over a decade ago won a  prestigious award  for young lawyers .  That term is "AS IS." As you may know, I volunteer in a thrift shop.  Everything we sell, from all the donations we receive, is "as is."  The items are not brand new.  They are not perfect.  That doesn't mean they aren't any good or worth something. They are sold "as is."  Buyers should go in knowing that. (After all you are shopping in a thrift shop!)  In some cases, particularly when we are offering higher end products, we will actually write on the price tag, "as is." Such is the case of two designer purses that I purchased from there this summer.  (I'm a purse-aholic!  Don't look in my closet.)  They were reasonably priced (especially when you consider the name brand), but each had an "as is" clearly marked o...
Read more