I am not religious. Not even a little bit. I am probably atheist leaning towards agnostic or maybe it the other way around. I think there’s something, I’m just not sure what it is. I do believe that the conscious of the universe it to big to be explained in fairy tales and parables. And whatever it is its not interested in people fighting over the right path to it. But this ramble has really nothing to do with it my feelings towards religion. In fact, I think a lot of ‘religious’ practices have great value.
One of the ones I’ve adopted or I should say kept since I was raised Catholic, is the observance of Lent. I like the idea of consciously performing some self sacrifice, some denial of gratification. Many religious practices have this concept, Ramadan in Islam, Yom Kippur in Judaism and I could’ve adopted any I just picked Lent since I’m more familiar. (However, I really like the principle of atonement in Yom Kippur)
So today is Fat Tuesday and I’m sitting here with my Pepsi, chocolate mini-donuts and Twinkies. Hey don’t judge me it is FAT Tuesday. So this year I’m going to try and forgo refined sugars and starches. Its good self discipline and may actually help me give up a few pounds. So no French fries, sodas, pizza, mashed potatoes, cookies, chocolate, bread, pancakes, hash browns, pasta.
As much as I will miss those things, the point is to really to sacrifice. I could give up sex, sex with Olympic swimmer twins, sunning in St. Tropez but you can’t really give up something you don’t have. So this year I am also going to give up…..drum roll please…. Vodka! Ok, I’m not an alcoholic (or I’m an alcoholic in denial) but I don’t drink beer and I don’t drink fru-fru girl drinks. I’m just a simple Vokda tonic (with a twist of lime) kind of girl. I’m Vodka-T. They even make Vodka Tonya’s at the place I hang out. So for this year its no Vodka. Now I’m not giving up alcohol completely. I’m not Jesus!
I’m going to limit my alcohol in take to Red Wine (like Jesus). My reasoning is its technically a fruit. Its healthy. Most of the places I hang out have crappy wine and that by itself limits my intake. And, as much as I love a good red wine, wine gives me the worst headaches in the morning which is another preventative measure. (p.s. if anybody knows of way to prevent those please give me the antidote)
I even have Chaddy trying to give up something. He’s giving up soda. I think next year we’ll try to give up TV.
I have a two week cruise during Lent so I’m not sure how successful I’m going ot be but I’m going to give it my best shot!
