Lent

We are well into Lent now, but I wanted to share my Lenten resolutions, so that I have somewhere to be accountable to I guess:

1. Go to Mass every Sunday of Lent. No excuses. No being too tired, lazy, busy, etc. I've found evening Mass to be the best fit for me. I'm not a morning person at all, always been more "me" in the evening. I love that there have been Masses going on all morning in the church, so it smells extra church-y. I love that smell! Plus it is far less crowded, which I like. Even the days when I don't want to go, once I'm there I'm always happy I went. One hour a week to just be quiet, reflective and prayful gives me an extra boost to start the week. Plus, what is greater than turning to total strangers and wishing them that peace will be with them? I love that part. Everyone looks at me with such compassion and genuinely gives me good wishes, without knowing me. Very cool. Whether you are religious or not, that's very cool.

2. Stick to our diet. Bryce and I are on Weight Watchers, and man is it hard to stick to!

3. Get our house organized. We keep making excuses for our apartment not getting together. After seeing this house I can no longer blame the square footage of our place for it's non-homey feeling. This house is amazing, and only 382 square feet. It's so well thought out and not cluttered at all. It inspired me to get our house more organized and more like home, less of a basement apartment. I need to stop thinking of it as "just an apartment", like it's not worth making our home. The reality is we plan on being here for many years, so it is definitely worth our time and effort to make our home. Again, no more excuses!

4. Forget. This one is hard. I can hold a grudge like you can't imagine. I always forgive, but don't forget. Seriously, it's insane how I can hold onto things. Did you call me a poopie-head in 2nd grade? Give me a weird look in high school? Insult me 5 years ago? I'm probably still angry about it. And it's exhausting carrying around grudges! So one Sunday in Mass as I was saying "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us" I was thinking, what is forgiveness without forgetfulness? It's not truly forgiveness unless you forget, also. Let go of it all, don't hang on to the memory of what upset you. So I've been working on forgiving more easily and also truly forgetting. Who am I to seek forgiveness if I can't truly forgive in return? I'm hoping to be able to let things slide more easily, and not let them fester inside me, because then it becomes toxic. Forgive and forget right away, and I will feel lighter, less bogged down - and who doesn't want that? I certainly do.

So I guess I'm giving up excuses, junky food, laziness and grudges for Lent. That sounds like a tall order doesn't it?