Giving Up

Growing up as a kid, each lent called for us to Give Up something. As I recall, my parents were pretty hands off on our decision, because it was our decision. However, each of us had to actually Give Up something.

Some of us cheated. Not a lot, but just a little.

We might look over the TV guide and Give Up watching a night knowing that there wasn’t much on anyway. Some of us Gave Up a dessert, which for me was a difficult one because I have such a sweet tooth.

Lent changed for me as I got older. I’m not sure how I came to it, but I assume it was in high school, maybe in college or beyond, and probably from something I had read or heard.

Instead of Giving Up, I began To Do instead.

Notes to cheer people up. Smile more. Sometimes going through a fast food drive through, I’d pay for the car behind me and drive off before anyone could flag me down. Nothing big, mind you, but something out of the ordinary and perhaps out of my comfort zone.

My reasoning is that Giving Up really was only for me. It didn’t affect anyone else. I realize it’s sometimes good to Give Up something, however I refuse to Give Up bacon or Diet Coke. In fact, if I could IV Diet Coke, I’d be almost in heaven despite all the nasty things I hear diet soda does. I like the taste, so . . .

This year, however, I’m including Giving Up some things for lent. Not your usual things, however.

I came across a post on Facebook that made sense and I thought that if all of us were to Give Up these things, our world collectively and individually would be so much better. It makes me smile just to think about the possibilities.

So this year, instead of this food or that drink, and instead of this TV night or that TV night, I’ve decided to try Giving Up, or to Fast from the following:

·        Fast from hurting words and say kind words

·        Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude

·        Fast from anger and be filled with patience

·        Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope

·        Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity

·        Fast from bitterness and fill my heart with joy

·        Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others

·        Fast from grudges and be reconciled

·        Fast from words and be silent so I can listen

So here’s my challenge to you, each of you both young and old: Give Up and Fast from the above and try the alternative. Honestly and sincerely, I think you’ll like the results. I think we’ll all like the results. And, I think those around us will like the results. All those in favor of Giving Up, smile and nod your head! Something worthwhile to think about . . .

Live Your Life, and Make A Difference!

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If you like Thriller/Mystery fiction, check out my novels:

Available on Amazon for .99 the Lives Trilogy Prequel, Taking Lives

FBI Agent Pete Kelliher and his partner search for the clues behind the bodies of six boys left in various and remote parts of the country. Even though they don’t know one another, the lives of FBI Agent Kelliher and two boys become interwoven with the same thread that Pete Kelliher holds in his hand. The three of them are on a collision course and when that happens, their lives are in jeopardy as each search for a way out. http://bit.ly/Taking-Lives-JLewis

Stolen Lives, Book One of the Lives Trilogy:

Two thirteen year old boys are abducted off a safe suburban street. Kelliher and his team of FBI agents have 24 hours to find them or they’ll end up like all the others- dead! They have no leads, no clues, and nothing to go on. And the possibility exists that one of his team members might be involved. http://bit.ly/Stolen-Lives-JLewis

Shattered Lives, Book Two of the Lives Trilogy:

Six men escaped and are out for revenge. The boys, recently freed from captivity, are in danger and so are their families, but they don’t know it. The FBI has no clues, no leads, and nothing to go on and because of that, cannot protect them. http://bit.ly/Shattered-Lives-J-Lewis

Splintered Lives, Book Three of the Lives Trilogy:

It began in Arizona with death and it ends in Arizona in death. A 14 year old boy has a price on his head, but he and his family don’t know it. Their family vacation turns into a trip to hell. Out gunned and outnumbered, can this boy protect his father and brothers? Without knowing who these men are? Or how many there are? Or when they might come for him? http://bit.ly/Splintered-Lives-J-Lewis