My thoughts about Lent-negativity & complaining

I recently did a 22 day juice fast…not for any reason other than I needed it.

While I’m a Jesus lover, I usually don’t get into all the religious holidays’ rituals and have never done anything in my 44 years for Lent.

By definition, Lent is the Christian observance of the liturgical year from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday.

Usually this is a time when believers spend more time in prayer, repenting, going to Mass or service and a time of self denial…basically giving up something.
Some give up smoking (though I could never understand why they didn’t stay not smoking after the 40 days? I mean, you gave it up that long why not keep being smoke free? but hey those are just my thoughts), some will give up chocolate, others meat…
Some will give up TV or gossip.

I’ve never done anything for Lent…ever.
Mainly because I always found it funny in a sarcastic judgmental kind of way…
Like all these people will be different for 40 days but yet once Easter is over and done with they just go back to their old ways…
smoking, gorging themselves with candy or whatever food they did without for 40 days and making up for those 40 days in a matter of days!
Yet during Lent they wear their holier than thou expression on their face because they are denying themselves a luxury while others aren’t, they’re following tradition while others aren’t, they are somehow more blessed because they’re giving up something…
Shouldn’t it be about the reasons why and your heart being proper in why you’re giving up something?
Moreso than the what’s in it for me attitude?

I did mention I am in fact a Jesus loving Christian right?!

I fast when I’m moved to…not because religious tradition dictates I should.
If you do something, you should do it for the right reasons not just go through the motions trying to impress people and yourself with your almighty-ness.

Anyhow, I did get to thinking though that I really need to quit complaining and having negative thoughts.
Yes, that will be hard for me especially seeing how as soon as I get on the road with the people who don’t know how to drive my complaining becomes evident very quickly!

I was (still am) going through a lot of stuff which I found myself complaining about every time I started talking to friends…
but, you know what that’s not what I should have been doing…
I should have been standing in faith, trusting that everything will get worked out and counting it all joy!
Yea, there I said it…
and yes it is hard to count it all joy as nonsense is surrounding you and trying to take you out…
but just means brighter days are ahead and I have that to look forward to!

So, from this point (as soon as I hit publish) I am going to try to not complain and not be negative…
(or at least as much as I do now! being honest…)
yes, I’m sure I’ll fall short…but we all do…
nobody is perfect…just Christ Jesus…
But, I’m good with that because I’ll do what I can and actually think before I speak…
about others, about myself, about traffic, about inept customer service, about this ghettofabulous condo I live in…
and will continue it well past Easter or any other date…

What about you?
Wanna try to stay more on the positive side with me?

Question of the day
Do you try to stay positive all the time or most of the time?
Do you have any traditions?