Ash Wednesday

Today is a Christian Holiday, Ash Wednesday.  It signifies the begining of lent or a 40 day period before Easter of prayer, reflection and sacrifice.  The spirit of Lent is that you should give up something that is difficult to give up because it signifies the 40 days that Jesus spent in the desert being tempted by Satan. I have to confess that I don't always participate and some of the things I've given up before are common like chocolate or sodas.  I wasn't sure that I would give up anything for lent this year, but then I had lunch with a friend today and she had a whole list of things that she was giving up! I decided to get in the spirit of things and I am giving up the following:

FAST FOOD: I notice that when I am stressed, I eat out.  And not even at Restaurants where I can order a variety of items.  I usually swing by the drive thru and pick up one of those pre-packaged meals.  For the next 40 days, I will not eat fast food. No loopholes.

BAR TABS: We don't go out and drink often, but when we do end up at Happy Hours, I've noticed that we end up with a much higher bill than if we just paid cash as we go along. So, no more bar tabs from here to Easter. No loopholes for me, but I obviously won't make people who are buying me drinks  pay for them in cash.

NEW CLOTHES: This is the one that I am going to have a really difficult time with.  I will admit to having slight shop-aholic tendencies. It is difficult for me to be going somewhere and not go out and buy a new dress or a new pair of pants.  And I certainly can never resist a good sale. Hopefully this will push me to shop my closet more often.  I don't want to say that I am going to remix my clothes because, let's face it: unless you are Anna Wintour that's what we all do on a daily basis. Loopholes: Gift cards or gifted items. I will personally not purchase new clothes unless I am using giftcards or someone else buys it as a gift (that is mostly for my hubby, he's nice like that.)

Are you observing Lent? If so, what are you giving up?