Another Lent begins tomorrow, also known as Ash Wednesday, 40-days of fasting and prayer to match those spent by Jesus in the desert when Satan tempted him. By my count 40-days ends Palm Sunday, so Lent is really 47-days long as it continues through Holy Week ending Easter Sunday.

Catholics fast tomorrow, eating only one meal and do not eat meat on Fridays throughout the Lenten period. Many give up something minor like chocolate or another favorite food. One year I gave up media. I did not read the newspaper, news on the Internet, or magazines and I did not watch any TV. It was amazing the transformation that made in my life. Prior to that Lent, I always felt I had to keep up with the news. I had to know what was going on. I was an information junkie. It was a very difficult Lent, especially since my wife thought I went overboard and tried to tempt me with watching programs with her. I read books at the table in the other room so we could at least see each other.

That Lent was like a purification process. I realized I did not need the news in my life and I discovered that all the negative news was actually dragging down my mood. I felt uplifted without all the fear they “sell” in the news weighing me down each day. I stopped paying so much attention to it until I started this blog. Now I read the news regularly to find positive news to post. I have felt more edgy lately as the fear creeps back into my psyche from all the negative headlines. I am tempted to stop reading the news, but feel I am providing a valuable service for everyone, so I continue my mission.

This Lent I challenge you to take give up something more meaningful, more difficult this year, like smoking or any other bad habit. Or, if you are really up for the challenge, skip giving up something altogether and do good deeds each day of Lent instead. Your life will never be the same, but much better when you discover what you can do with a strong will. You can do anything.