What Should I Give Up For Lent? - A Conversation Between My Mind and My Conscience

Lying in bed last night I went through this tried and true mental discernment on what to give up for lent. It was so comical because I swear I think the same things every year. This year I'm going to make progress in self-displince somehow, but that how is still a big question. But I had to laugh at myself because, this, this is what goes on in my head: 


MY MIND: So Lent is coming up, what do you think I should give up, Heart? What are my biggest, most gripping struggles that need a good kick to the curb? What discipline would really realign my spiritual life? What small sacrifice could I give up for Lent? What would St. Catherine of Siena do?

MY CONSCIENCE: Well, where should we start? You want me to run through the regular list of usual suspects? We could always start with chocolate, that's what most people find to be a good sacrifice. How bout giving up chocolate?

MY MIND: Chocolate!?! Unless we're hiring a nanny for the hours between 3 pm and 6 pm then I'm going to not give up chocolate for the sake of my children.

MY CONSCIENCE: Ok, then. Most people are also willing give up alcohol as a fitting sacrifice for Lent, that would probably make us all kinds of holy.

MY MIND: I still can't give up alcohol. I'm still getting over having to give it up for some 45 months of pregnancy. I just did the mental math and that should give me 30 years worth of Lents. So there.

MY CONSCIENCE: Fine, fine, fine. Let's look at other things that may be bringing us down. What about your social media time? We spend a lot of time on Facebook getting made at stupid people, this is probably something we could cut down on.

MY MIND: Gosh, yes. If I eliminated Facebook I'd automatically cut out 50% of my cursing. But I'm home alone with small children aaalll daaaay. Come ooonnn. {long pause} Fine, I'll think about addressing social media on my phone, but I can't go whole hog, I can't do it I tell you!

MY CONSCIENCE: We could also take this opportunity to address exercise. You know how we did better working out to that Rosary workout? It seems we need a little spiritual motivation to make the exercise thing happen? What about some form of exercise for 40 days, every day? It would be a sacrifice because we're lazy, but if we prayed while doing it that would be even better! It'd be building two habits and disciplines at once!

MY MIND: Exercise. Everyday. Yes....maybe...but exercise....everyday. It's so awful sounding that sounds like a very effective sacrifice. Good option, Heart.

MY CONSCIENCE: Of course, there's always television. We could stop watching television?

MY MIND: What?! Don't you remember Better Call Saul just started? And I just started watching Friday Night Lights on Netflix?? Plus, I feel like I've actually gotten better with tv the last couple years, we're just watching a little before bed most nights...it's not that much time and we veg out together...it's good for our marriage, really.

MY CONSCIENCE: You're doing a lot of rationalizing, Head.

MY MIND: Uh, that's what I do.

MY CONSCIENCE: There's also good things to start doing like not yelling at the kids, keeping the kitchen clean, or stop all non-essential spending. Or sackcloth, ashes, giving up eating food. But I'm not sure if that's really what the Holy Spirit is telling me, maybe I'm overreacting, maybe I don't know what I'm feeling? What time is it?

MY MIND: I don't know man, it's like, past 11... I really should be sleeping I'm so exhausted...wait what time is that doctors appointment tomorrow...did I put that laundry in the dryer...ok good talk, Heart, let's figure this out later....zzzzz....

MY CONSCIENCE: Phew, I'm tired too. Lord, let us have a good Lent. Amen, goodnight.

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