Yesterday was Ash Wednesday. I’m a practicing Catholic, admittedly not as much practicing these past couple years as before. Sometimes I let life get in the way. Do you ever find that happening?

I’d put yesterday in the category of a good Ash Wednesday. Thankfully, mass fit quite nicely as lunch between the daily work. Father Lynn, who has meaningful homilies, talked about the perspective shift these past years from “Giving Up” to “Making a Positive Change” with Lenten observations. I’m all about the positives. While there are positives that can be found in the “Giving Up,” it has always struck me as a negative take on a potential positive time in the liturgical calendar.

So how does this Ash Wednesday homily trickle down into my life?

We’re trying to work up to some juice fasting, or at least to see if it makes sense. This year the fasting aspect of Lenten observations has a renewed interest. In my research, many sources discuss the importance of giving the body, mainly the gut, a break. Or the importance of feeding the body with certain vitamins and minerals to cleanse certain vital organs. The scientists and nutritionist don’t speak much to the religion and vice-versa. There is definitely a connection. So at this point, I’m game… but…

We ate a single meal yesterday, dinner. A couple juice sessions got me through the day… It.was.HARD.

It was so much harder than I expected. Mostly because this formerly skinny girl has adopted some really bad food habits… Habits that would have put me in the chubby girl category those years ago. One of my Ash Wednesday revelations… in working from home over these past five years… I eat for hobby, for routine, out of boredom. Brother, am I really that person? Yep. Fess Up, Fix It & Move On.

Oh BTW… my scale read 3 pounds less this morning… a little scary…

What Positive Change are you making this Lenten season? Me? On the personal side of Lenten observations… one of mine is breaking this crazy relationship with food.

Let me know how you’re doing and I’ll do the same.