Every year I give up something for Lent, but this year I’m finding it hard to think of something.
Often I give up chocolate but really I think that’s cheating as I don’t actually eat much of the sweet stuff.
In 2008, I did give up chocolate but then because I couldn’t have any I ended up craving it and when Easter finally came, I ate more than I would usually.
One year I gave up crisps (or chips as I think you call them here) and I didn’t miss them at all and haven’t started eating them again.
I occasionally pick at them if they are out at a party but I can’t remember the last time I had a bag of crisps.
I do have too many Starbucks’ hot chocolates and could cut down on that warming drink but then I would probably just drink more tea instead.
Lent is the traditional 40-day period of fasting, prayer and penitence before Easter.
It began on Wednesday after Shrove Tuesday — the traditional day to use up all the fat in the house by cooking pancakes.
Unfortunately my husband and I didn’t have time for pancakes on Tuesday so we actually had them on Ash Wednesday.
In the British radio soap The Archers, which I have mentioned in my column before, Alan, the vicar, is planning to spend Lent in a tent in the parish — much to his wife Usha’s despair.
The idea is to make sacrifices in his every day life and also raise awareness of the plight of refugees.
Last year while I was working at the Shropshire Star, I wrote a story about a family in Pontesbury (a village near Shrewsbury), who had a very good idea for Lent.
They decided to go green and cut back on all processed foods. Instead of buying tasty treats, the mother either made them or gave the children more fruit.
The children walked to school instead of getting a lift with their father, who rode his bike to work.
The money they saved from the household budget was donated to charity.
I thought this was a fantastic idea as it really taught the children how if they cut back a little bit, they are not only being healthier but also helping the environment and other people.
The idea of giving up something for no particular reason other than to show you have the motivation to do it seems a bit pointless now when you look at this family.
In fact, it might be better to take something useful up for Lent instead of giving up something.
You could decide to do more recycling or walk to work or volunteer somewhere in the community.
I’ve heard another call in the news for people to reduce their carbon footprint.
Since moving to Canada though, I think my carbon footprint may have increased as now I’m driving a 4x4 instead of my small Volkswagen Polo.
Maybe I will try to walk to work more often during Lent — and perhaps that will be easier as hopefully it will keep getting warmer as it moves towards Easter Sunday.
Rebecca Lawrence can be reached at 691-1258.
