In the Episcopalian tradition, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter. Because I am Episcopalian, that is how long I will be observing Lent. Here is what I plan on doing for Lent, in accordance with invitation from the Book of Common Prayer (p. 265) to observe Lent “by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word”:
- Starting Lent with a day off from work today.
- Giving up alcohol, starting today until Holy Saturday night. Over the last year, I’ve probably consumed more wine than I ought, so this isn’t a bad thing – at all. Plus I’ve gained a lot of weight, thanks/no thanks to wine, so again this isn’t a bad thing – at all.
- Reading The Little Book of Lent: Daily Reflections from the World’s Greatest Spiritual Writers, compiled by Arthur Howells. I searched this morning for just the right devotional to use for this Lent. As I’ve already been practicing daily meditation and journaling, I didn’t want something too involved. Nothing quite hit the right note for me, and I’m not sure if this completely fits what I’m looking for, but the selections are short so I think it will do.
- Reading Tears We Cannot Stop: A Sermon to White America by Michael Eric Dyson, starting today and then at least once each weekend until, and including, Easter weekend. I’ve had this in my Kindle library for at least a year, if not longer, but now I feel it’s time – and not a bad thing, starting here in Black History Month.
If you are a Christian and observe Lent, what are your plans for the season? If you belong to another faith tradition, do you have practices within it to reflect on our faith daily and/or periodically? Anything you read for your particular faith? If you have no faith tradition, how do you relax/meditate/stay calm?
Like last year, I used my post on my Lenten Plans 2019 as a template for this post.
Still an unfinished person... 
I plan to continue my early morning routine that combines meditation, stretching/walking/yoga, and reflection.
Good luck with your plans.
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All sound good, Deb. 👍
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First off, I appreciate that you included inquiring about all faiths and no faiths! I am not a religious person, but definitely find ways to have quality introspection time. I read, go for walks, stare at nature. Actually, this last one is probably the best. I sit on my outside furniture and watch birds come to my bird bath. It’s relaxing and takes my mind off all the worldly issues.
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Nature is a great way to relax. In other seasons, I enjoy getting out. Right now, not so much. 🙂
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I’m starting a lent study but not really giving anything up.
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What book is the study on?
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Blessed Lent! I am a Christian, but Christian Orthodox, so following a much older tradition. We start Lent on what we call Clean Monday, a day of very strict fast. For me this year, it will be March 15 (yes, our Easter/Pascha will be on May 2!) I haven’t thought much about it yet.
Food wise, the whole Lent is very strict for all, for all the days of Lent (no meat, no fish, no dairy products, no eggs – actually this is how we fast every Wednesday and Friday of most of the year, even outside fast periods, and we have fast periods before each big feast).
I want to try add longer daily prayer time, and also spiritual reading before reading novels or other nonfiction books.
I’d like also to post more spiritual notes on my other blog: https://myrtleskete.com/, where I haven’t posted since July!!
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