TEN simple things you can do this Lent (that does not require you to stand on your head)

Sadly Lent has been painted with the same brush every year; its purple and that translates for many to being a downer. I have long advocated for a change in mind-set. Personally, the transformation for me took place when I read the collect (opening prayer at mass) in the old translation of the missal on the first Sunday of Lent. It read, “Lord we thank you for this JOYFUL season when your renew heart and mind.”

So Lent is most certainly not about what you can’t do but really about what you could do. It’s a time when you get affirmed and encouraged to make positive changes. You can’t defeat the darkness of your life by sitting in the room and cursing the devil. What you need to do is strike a match, a flame of love for God, by loving others.

To achieve the results we so desire, we must prepare ourselves and while Lent is often seen (not necessarily) as preparation for the Holy Tridum, culminating with Easter, we need to be in preparatory mode before we enter the season itself. We need a preparation for the preparation and that should begin right now!

So what can you do this Lent?

1. Head to confession on or before Ash Wednesday!

You don’t have to look like the cat that ate the canary all through the season on Lent! So why wait for the last week before the Holy Tridum to go to confession? You can’t share sacred space with the devil. If this time is LENT to you by Jesus then wipe the slate clean and don’t share air space with satan. The season of Lent is not a time of visitation (by the Lord) but habitation. He wants to dwell in you. God does not want a part of you; he wants all of you beginning with your heart. This lent, have a heart to heart conversation with your one true love, Jesus.

2. Clear your closet – sharing is caring

Many of us have things that we truly don’t use. Look through your stuff and you will find things that you have not used for more than six months. If you have not used it you don’t really need it. Make a list of 40 things that you have and can share it with others.