The Beginning of Lent...

I'm Catholic and I'm not afraid to show it. Every year Catholics and other Christians around the world show that they indeed believe when they bear their ashes on their foreheads every Ash Wednesday. The ashes are basically a way of showing our repentance in an outwardly way. This Ash Wednesday I had to work, so of course I had to be questioned over and over again on what I had on my forehead. But I didn't mind. I'm not ashamed to be Catholic or to show it. And my priest isn't afraid to have us show it either. Some of us get to walk around with small crosses made of ash on our heads, but not my priest, he makes sure that everyone sees.

As part of Lent, I'm giving up a bad habit that has pretty much overtaken my work life: swearing. I didn't swear until I started bartending and now it's like second nature. It makes me sick! I try so hard to live a positive life, but working in the bar scene has made it hard for me to keep negative words out of my mouth. So I'm trying. Trying hard to not swear. I have a swear jar at work and at the end of Lent, I'm going to donate the money I have collected to the church. One dollar for every swear. So far I have $4 in the jar. I'm hoping, with all the positive thoughts in my body, to keep the number low. Granted I would love to give more to the church, but I really want to kick this bad habit. Granted my customers won't make it easy for me, but I'm going to really try over these next 40 days to keep my mind and my words on a positive path...

My next part of Lent is also beneficial to my well being. I'm going back to a pure diet and my mom is joining me in this new venture. Anyone else want to join? We're going shopping on Friday and taking weights and measurements. The one key thing to my pure diet is, NO WHITE! No white bread/pasta, no sugar, no processed foods. I'm at my happy weight. I love the weight I'm at, but I really want to start having the body that I want. I want to be firmer. Tighter. More energized. I'm making it a point to do at least 20 minutes of conscious exercise everyday. Whether it be my pilates dvd, a brisk walk/jog, or just some weights, I'm willing to make a true effort to get a little harder in all those places that jiggle just a little too much for my liking. Everyday. Everyday I'm going to work hard to at least get these 20 minutes in. Will you join me? Before you sit down on the couch or maybe after that little rest, make an effort to get up and move. The key to everything is doing something. Anything. I can't wait to start feeling the results. It only takes 11 days to start seeing real results. If we can't dedicate 11 days to ourselves then we really don't deserve to see the benefits. I'm willing to dedicate these next 40 days to sacrificing those sweets, that extra serving, or that piece of white bread, in order to show some self control. As Americans we've become so use to overindulgence and we really have forgotten how lucky we are. Now I'm going to prove something to myself and to my God. I'm going to prove that He is in control and that I am in control of the life that He has given me. He sacrificed everything. I know that I can do 40 days... maybe this will be the eye opening moment that I need in order to lead a lifetime of healthy years to come.