When the big picture keeps getting darker, it helps to zoom in.
...As Ash Wednesday approaches, I find myself thinking again and again of that ordinary miracle, that commonplace resurrection, that everlasting antidote to the temporary perfidy of a red-faced man hollering out his hour on the national stage. For Lent this year, I would like to give up the news — I would like to give up the president himself for Lent this year — but life in a democracy does not afford such luxuries.
Instead of giving up something for Lent, I’m planning to make a heartfelt offering. In times like these, it makes more sense to seek out daily causes for praise than daily reminders of lack. So here is my resolution: to find as many ordinary miracles as a waterlogged winter can put forth, as many resurrections as an eerily early springtime will allow. Tiny beautiful things are bursting forth in the darkest places, in the smallest nooks and deepest cracks of the hidden world, and I am going to keep looking every single day until I find one. Margaret Renkl
Instead of giving up something for Lent, I’m planning to make a heartfelt offering. In times like these, it makes more sense to seek out daily causes for praise than daily reminders of lack. So here is my resolution: to find as many ordinary miracles as a waterlogged winter can put forth, as many resurrections as an eerily early springtime will allow. Tiny beautiful things are bursting forth in the darkest places, in the smallest nooks and deepest cracks of the hidden world, and I am going to keep looking every single day until I find one. Margaret Renkl
I like the idea of giving something for lent, may have to try that out myself.
ReplyDeleteWhat she is giving up for a lent is very motivating to me in the sense that I too want to give up the news. A break from focusing on the outside world to focus on myself is much needed I think.
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Lent is an interesting time of year. As a practicing Catholic, I'm glad that the faith has a place in it's calendar that endorses personal sacrifice in an attempt to not only replicate the 40 days of fasting and withdrawal to the desert by Christ, but it also can be therapeutic and lead to self improvement. This lent, I am going to give up milkshakes, sodas, and I'm going to try and limit my time using my phone/laptop.
ReplyDeleteI feel like we should practice giving up things for lent but on a daily basis. If we free ourselves from all attachments we will all find true happiness.
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