By Helen S., Teen Portal Staff Writer
I don’t believe you have to be religious or even Catholic to practice self denial during Lent. I, myself, am not really religious (I am “supposed to be” Catholic, but I carry many different beliefs with me, including aspects of Buddhism and Hinduism). Still, I am stoked about Lent because it’s a time to challenge myself and see if I can follow through on giving up something.
It may sound strange but I really like the idea of sacrifice and denying something I like to do or eat for 40 days and 40 nights. This year, I am going to go vegetarian, and if I like the experience, I will continue forsaking meat even after Lent ends.
I feel like Lent is kind of a stepping stone toward making a change that I want to make. Many people may rely on making New Year’s resolutions to improve themselves and their lives but I find Lent much less intimidating. And once I survive without something for over a month, I often realize I can continue making the sacrifice.
In past years, I have given up chocolate, candy and nail polish. In all honesty, I haven’t always kept up the sacrifice post Lent. But, even if my 40 days of denial didn’t result in a more permanent change, I still felt accomplishment from passing the test I set out for myself. You might want to try it for yourself.
Some Background on Lent:
If you don’t know what Lent is, it’s primarily an observance for certain Christian faiths. It lasts 40 days and includes fasting, prayer and self-denial. The 40 days represent the time that Jesus had to spend in the desert, where he endured temptations from Satan, like the seven deadly sins: lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy and pride. Each Sunday during Lent (there are six leading up to Easter) represents a “mini-Easter,” or a triumph of Jesus over sin and death (since he rises after the third day of burial). This year Lent lasts from February 25, which is “Ash Wednesday,” until Saturday, April 11, which is the day before Easter.
