Lent

Today is Mardi Gras - or Fat Tuesday - representing the day before Ash Wednesday, when Lent begins, and a day during which you gorge yourself with whatever vice you have decided to give up for 40 days. And then Easter represents the day on which you get to gorge yourself again. I've decided to give up chocolate. Since I've had Oliver, I have literally eaten chocolate every day. Dark chocolate unless unavailable. I haven't tracked it per se, but I know I've had a consistent stash, and consistent consumption. So, this will be a sacrifice to give up! Since I actually just realized today that Lent begins tomorrow, I wasn't able to prepare properly with a last portion of salted chocolate caramels. But, I have sufficiently made myself sick with a mocha (normally just drink a latte), half a sleeve of Thin Mints (the other half I ate last night - cruel timing, Girl Scouts, just cruel), and all the remaining chocolate chunks from the pre-made cookie dough I use as one of my chocolate stashes. I feel gross.

Now Lent is a religious observation (while Mardi Gras may be decidedly immoral at times) and I would not consider myself religious. But I attended a Catholic high school and grew up among other religious influences and have grown to appreciate many traditions and celebrations. I certainly don't hold back from celebrating Christmas! And spending more than a month giving up something you previously enjoyed or took for granted is at the very least an opportunity for self-reflection and a personal challenge.

Bring it on.