On Lent

[dragonlady7]

this is really a footnote to another post, but thought it deserved its own page, so here it is.
I was raised Catholic, but not very Catholic, as my mother was and is Dutch Reformed, and I went to non-religious schools. My father is also a bit of a freethinker as Catholics go, so when I talk about Catholicism my views are probably a bit unorthodox. Catholicism isn't a guilt-fest for me, it's actually a refreshingly universal and simple framework as taught by my father, and so Lent is a solemn but affirming season. Jesus spent 40 days in the desert fighting temptation, and we are encouraged to remember his suffering as an inspiring example. What's so inspriring about it? Well, he was the Son of God, and still he had to suffer to achieve perfection. So, don't feel bad that you're not perfect. Take the season as an opportunity to reflect on things you'd like to improve about yourself, not as a reason to deny yourself things you want for no reason. It's not to make yourself suffer for suffering's sake, but to deprive or challenge yourself for the purpose of reminding you why you're here and trying so damn hard.
I tend to prefer to take on a challenge instead of undergoing a deprivation for Lent. I try not to eat meat on Fridays and such, but I'm not going to give up chocolate or sex or any of the little things that keep me sane. No. Last year I worked out every day during Lent (and it got me nowhere, but I did it, dammit); this year I'm going to adhere rigidly to my production schedule for this freaking novel, and maybe something awesome will come of it.
So, that's Lent for me.