Lent

[Everybody Wang Chung]

A brief reflection: This is what I'm noticing as I continue to detox from toxic media by abstaining in observance of Lent. In the beginning it was easy to rebel against my inclination to watch politically related news. Then it got harder. I did see headlines and youtube video thumbnails but made an effort to look away before reading the whole caption or whatever. So politically speaking,I knew bits of things, but not the full story of anything. Ex: Clinton's testify. Yeah, I get what that was about but I didn't read or listen to the statements Hillary Clinton made afterwards or portions of recorded testimony if that's something that's been released. In other words, I have no idea what the details are and guess what? I don't care either. No matter what's being served up at the White House publicity buffet...it's only purpose is to draw attention or turn it away, if you get what I mean.

I think we might be in a war. I read a couple of photo captions on CNN and guess what? I don't care. It's just one bs bit of chaos making after another intended to do just that...create chaos. I dunno...we did something to Iran. Don't care.

I don't care to the point that I'm not even getting independent politically related videos in my youtube feed any more.

So has it been difficult to abstain? Yes. But the truth is as I see it right now, it's been more like an addiction than an effort to remain informed. Trump is so redundant it's basically SSDD and I don't think it'll change. He's only got so many tools in his little chaos making tool belt and now that they're on repeat 24/7 for a second term...there's nothing new under the sun. Could my attitude change? Sure it could. We'll see.

This exercise in observing Lent isn't about giving something up forever but (I think) working against temptation. Like Jesus in the wilderness, being tempted by Satan. I think that's the whole point of Christian believer's observing Lent. To kind of walk along side the Savior by trying to experience something that he experienced. Maybe trying to follow his example in the way he responded to the temptations. If I recall correctly, each time a temptation was issued, he went directly into the Word.

Well, I haven't really done much if at all actual research for Lent. It's kind of interesting to approach this in the exact reverse of what I'd normally do. I'd typically jump in with both feet as fast and hard and deep as I could so I could appreciate every nuance of the experience. With Lent, I'm really taking from the experience whatever I find in it.

So far, it's turning out to be an experience of strengthening my spiritual muscles and finding freedom.

If that's not what's supposed to happen for Lent, please don't tell me anything to the contrary. I'd really like to not be influenced by anything else besides what I perceive.

And if it seems like I'm making more out of this than needs be, all I can say is some weighty in real life has been happening all around me this whole time and that probably deepens my perspective...but not in a bad way at all.

I think what you're doing is a great idea Jersey Girl. I'm going to try a social media fast as President Nelson invited us to do when he first became the prophet.

Ajax,

You've inspired me. I'm going to follow the wise counsel of Elder Mark E. Petersen, by instituting a temporary "spicy food fast" to ensure I do not accidentally tamper with the machinery of my sacred fountain.

[Jersey Girl]

How are all my Lentils doing with their process?

Have you been able to stick to it? Do you feel it's been beneficial for you and if so, would you like to share it? Did you fall off the wagon and stay there? Fall off the wagon and get back on again? Did you shift gears in a different direction? How's it going for you?

[Doctor CamNC4Me]

I bought 3 cigars for my birthday because it was a real milestone for me. I’d share why, but I’m afraid some swine will trample those pearls so it’ll suffice that I had good reason to do it. I’ve been cigar-free since. I appreciate not smelling like burnt tobacco and saving a few bucks, though.

Have I learned anything? I mean I like not wondering if I’m going to get a form of cancer from tobacco use, though the odds were fairly low to begin with. Life is always better when you’re being healthy, whatever form that takes,

- Doc

[Jersey Girl]

Oh this is so good, Cam.

I bought 3 cigars for my birthday because it was a real milestone for me. I’d share why, but I’m afraid some swine will trample those pearls so it’ll suffice that I had good reason to do it.

Hey. It's your process and your reasons. You do what you do, right? Congrats on reaching your milestone! Totally understand the pearls before swine. I've often written on the board only to wipe the whole post for the same reason. Other times, I just post it anyway because who cares what I put on here?

But cool on the 3 cigars. How much does one cost if you don't mind saying?

I’ve been cigar-free since. I appreciate not smelling like burnt tobacco and saving a few bucks, though.

Oh yeah, of course. My mother's uncle was an Irish cop on Newark. Such a great guy. One of the best men you could ever know. He used to smoke Dutch Masters cigars and they came in those old cardboard boxes with the flip lids. He gave me a box to put my crayons in and I loved it. I actually like the smell of cigars on account of him but I'm not often around them. Funny how a smell can invoke treasured memories even if it's a smell that's objectionable to others. Oh and he used to slip off the paper bands and give them to me to wear as a ring. I didn't know how rich I really was back then. I have some of the best memories of anyone I know.

Stop with the stories, Jersey.
No.

Have I learned anything? I mean I like not wondering if I’m going to get a form of cancer from tobacco use, though the odds were fairly low to begin with. Life is always better when you’re being healthy, whatever form that takes,

- Doc

That's it's own kind of freedom, isn't it? Something is going to jump up and bite us all in the ass eventually. Good on you for giving yourself some peace of mind in your own way. I'd say that's a good result you had there.

[Jersey Girl]

I asked for a report from the Lentils and I don't even know where to start my own. Just before I resurrected this thread we had a family medical crisis involving life support. One minute we're all praying for recovery then suddenly Karma jumps in, flips the script entirely, and ends up going nuclear on the actual patient and, I don't know. If I even tried to list just the topics we've been faced with no one would believe it. Seriously, I could write the topics on little puzzle pieces, throw them on the floor and say "Here, try to make a picture out of this." and you'd be like...what? It's been like watching the twin towers burn to the ground floor by floor. So... I may/may not have resurrected the thread as an escape from the Karmatic fall out but...overall I've stuck with the plan with a couple of slip ups.

I've managed to stay away from toxic media reports until last night. I watched a short interview with Corey Booker and Rachel Maddow about the war. Then today I watched something else, I think it was Lawrence O'Donnell also about the war. I can sort of tell what's going on but as usual, it looks chaotic. What I think happened was the US entered an undeclared war on Iran for no good reason and now buddy boy is out there blowing stuff up, the price of gas went nuts so something about oil, and I saw a quote about "taking Cuba". If he "takes" Cuba would he be open to suggestions as to where he can actually put Cuba?

Be nice, Jersey.
Why should I?

Other than those things listed, I've stayed away from it.

Continue to work on my 40 Day Bible Study which matches the Lent timeframe nicely. Set up my new prayer journal. Still having problems even thinking about writing my own inner thoughts in the journal because what if someone actually reads it? I'd be mortified. I tend to keep my inner life...in. I've collected up some new verses of scripture from the 40 Day Bible Study. These are verses where the context and meaning of words was discussed and gave me a chance to reflect on them in a different way which I always appreciate. One thing I enjoy about the Bible studies that I do from this one resource in particular is that you're not told what to think or believe. Each element is there for your consideration so it's kind of open ended in that regard.

Since I wasn't binge scrolling politics I had tons more free time which I put to good use. Taking care of various tasks...some that were left to procrastination, some that were more enjoyable. Taking my time and not rushing through things to the next youtube video. I really got addicted to following the political stuff. My in real life is so much more satisfying to me and without the constant onslaught of reports for profit that jerk us all around and keep us clicking in, I've experienced a level of contentment and focus that I haven't in a very long time. Like even with the family stuff going on I've managed to stay focused on just what needed to be done as things were taking place so it's been mind blowing and manageable at the same time. So...I guess you'd say I've been more present which is what I was a goal I wanted to work towards when I authored that first Log Off thread I did a while back.

Still not sure I've done justice to the purpose of Lent but like I said, I sort of rushed into it as an escape. I like that it's given me a chance to put the breaks on the runaway train that is our 24 hour news cycle. That really is some kind of evil the way it's intended to draw your attention and does it so well.

This whole time when I've been tempted to look in on a video or read a report, I'd find myself going "I can't. I said I wouldn't. I made a commitment. If I do it, what good is my word? " Gave me a chance to hold myself accountable. That's gotta be worth something.

[Jersey Girl]

Moon watcher report: The waxing crescent moon is now at 0% illumination which means...it's dark out there, duh. Since it's waxing (not waning) it's going to start pumping back up, become visible again, and go through the waxing gibbous routine until it busts out of it's humpiness and becomes fully FULL again. It's true. I have no life.

[Res Ipsa]

Got sick and had to give up my lent project. But I'll be back to walking daily in a day or two. It really felt good to do that.

[Jersey Girl]

Got sick and had to give up my lent project. But I'll be back to walking daily in a day or two. It really felt good to do that.

Sick? Darn it. That's good that you intend to resume your walks when you're fully recovered. It's gotta be good for body and mind to get outdoors and away from well, everything we attend to each day. I've found that it's good to do one's due diligence and be informed, but
given the fact that news is marketed to us it's too easy to fall for the intentional hooks and get so caught up in it to the neglect of more important aspects of our lives...like the aforementioned body and mind. Without balance I think we run the risk of turning into anxious nervous wrecks...speaking for myself there I guess.

Best to open the door, shove yourself out, breathe fresh air, get some sun and touch grass whenever possible. Talking to wildlife never hurts either.

I was sick for 2 weeks in the middle of this Lent observation as well. Hope you recover well and are able to resume now that more pleasant warm weather days are upon us.

[Jersey Girl]

Lunar stuff: Waxing crescent is at 6% illumination. You still can't see even a hint of it yet but the darker the night sky, the more vivid are the stars and planets. I don't know how it all works. I don't want to know. I'd rather watch it all and romaticize it because it's awesome, and gorgeous, and magical. Full moon in less than 2 weeks...12 days.

Oh swear not by the moon, the inconstant moon that nightly changes in her circled orb...waxing and waning, full, crescents, humpy gibbous etc.

I remember during COVID when we howled at the moon from our properties out here and that one night when the coyotes replied. What a life!

I need to check on meteor showers. They'll be coming up before I know it.

[Res Ipsa]

Got sick and had to give up my lent project. But I'll be back to walking daily in a day or two. It really felt good to do that.

Sick? Darn it. That's good that you intend to resume your walks when you're fully recovered. It's gotta be good for body and mind to get outdoors and away from well, everything we attend to each day. I've found that it's good to do one's due diligence and be informed, but
given the fact that news is marketed to us it's too easy to fall for the intentional hooks and get so caught up in it to the neglect of more important aspects of our lives...like the aforementioned body and mind. Without balance I think we run the risk of turning into anxious nervous wrecks...speaking for myself there I guess.

Best to open the door, shove yourself out, breathe fresh air, get some sun and touch grass whenever possible. Talking to wildlife never hurts either.

I was sick for 2 weeks in the middle of this Lent observation as well. Hope you recover well and are able to resume now that more pleasant warm weather days are upon us.

Thanks, Jersey Girl. 5k walk set with a buddy tomorrow.