February 10, Ash Wednesday- Set my intentions for fasting this Lenten period:
I've pledged to fast from indifference, and embrace awareness and compassion instead. But how exactly do I do that? My goals are to:
- Become more aware of the suffering of others, near me and far away.
- Become more patient with the time it takes to heal.
- Become more knowledgeable about how choices I make may affect people who are far away, so that I never see their suffering.
- Take some compassionate actions to help those who are hurting.
February 11- Study my buying habits:
Today I will read about the worst products to buy, at this site: Child Labor, Slavery and Your Shopping Habits. I want to understand how I support child labor and slavery, and set myself some goals.
February 12, Vasant Panchami- Eat a simple meal
Today I will read about the worst products to buy, at this site: Child Labor, Slavery and Your Shopping Habits. I want to understand how I support child labor and slavery, and set myself some goals.
February 12, Vasant Panchami- Eat a simple meal
February 13- Donate winter clothing:
This February I have been clearing away the clutter in my home and donating things I no longer need. Today I will donate a bag of sweaters to the Catholic Family Services Winter Clothing bin.
February 14, Valentines Day- Journal and Pray:
What has my experience of fasting been so far this Lenten season?
What insights have I had? Spend an hour in prayer; pray for all those people who are suffering. Pray that we might all be strong and healthy, and free from pain and injustice. Reach deep for compassion and new understanding.
February 15- Teach about child slavery in Africa:
I'm teaching a camp today about Africa, and we will discuss the chocolate industry, child labor, and our buying power-- and then sample some fair-trade chocolate!
After my long day of teaching yesterday, I'm going to show compassion for myself and my poor achy body. First I will do my physical therapy exercises, then get a wonderful massage, then take a nap, and then a bubble bath. I will let go of the idea that I need to be effective and productive everyday, and the idea that I should be strong and push through the pain.
I've been fasting from "cheap chocolate" for many years, because of the way it drives countries like Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana to use children for cheap or free labor. Even though the cocoa industry has been making an effort to improve things, a recent report says that two million children are still engaging in very dangerous work in the cocoa sector in these two countries. You can read more about that here.
I'm teaching a camp today about Africa, and we will discuss the chocolate industry, child labor, and our buying power-- and then sample some fair-trade chocolate!
February 16- Show compassion for myself:
They say the first way to ease suffering is to become aware of it and understand it. Well, my accident in December was an eye-opening experience! I'm not really a patient person, and I have gotten impatient with people who don't "get over it", but now I know that it takes VERY LONG to heal from something like that.
I'm learning to be patient with myself and my healing process, and to accept the suffering I do on a daily basis- accept the pain, lack of energy, frustration, and disappointment.
After my long day of teaching yesterday, I'm going to show compassion for myself and my poor achy body. First I will do my physical therapy exercises, then get a wonderful massage, then take a nap, and then a bubble bath. I will let go of the idea that I need to be effective and productive everyday, and the idea that I should be strong and push through the pain.
February 17-
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February 19- Volunteer:
Today I went to the school to volunteer for several hours, to share a fun project with kids.
Today I went to the school to volunteer for several hours, to share a fun project with kids.
February 20- Talk about my practices:
Today I went to a retreat, and we were all asked to share our process for settling in to worship. I shared one thing I do, which is to look around the room, name each person in the circle, and say a little prayer. My prayer today is "May you be strong, healthy, and free of pain".
Spend an hour in prayer; pray for all those people who are suffering. Pray that we might all be strong and healthy, and free from pain and injustice. Reach deep for compassion and new understanding.
I am trying to use this experience as a reminder of how suffering comes and goes... At one point today, when my head was splitting, and my body aching, I thought I felt worse than the worst I felt after being hit by a van in December. Can that be true, or do we all just forget how pain feels until it roles around again?
Spend an hour in prayer; pray for all those people who are suffering. Pray that we might all be strong and healthy, and free from pain and injustice. Reach deep for compassion and new understanding.
Today I went to a retreat, and we were all asked to share our process for settling in to worship. I shared one thing I do, which is to look around the room, name each person in the circle, and say a little prayer. My prayer today is "May you be strong, healthy, and free of pain".
February 21- Journal and Pray:
What has my experience of fasting been so far this Lenten season?
What insights have I had?
Spend an hour in prayer; pray for all those people who are suffering. Pray that we might all be strong and healthy, and free from pain and injustice. Reach deep for compassion and new understanding.
February 22-
February 23- Cancel everything and stay home sick:
Last night I was hit hard by the flu (It felt like a truck hit me, and, yes, I do know what that feels like!) and so today I slept all day. It's 6:30 p.m. now, and I finally feel strong enough to sit up for moment.
I am trying to use this experience as a reminder of how suffering comes and goes... At one point today, when my head was splitting, and my body aching, I thought I felt worse than the worst I felt after being hit by a van in December. Can that be true, or do we all just forget how pain feels until it roles around again?
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February 28- Journal and Pray:
What has my experience of fasting been so far this Lenten season?
What insights have I had?
Spend an hour in prayer; pray for all those people who are suffering. Pray that we might all be strong and healthy, and free from pain and injustice. Reach deep for compassion and new understanding.
From my journal: One thing I've re-learned this week, as I suffer through this flu-bug, is that pain and suffering are interminably boring. Not only am I bored myself, but I bore everyone else because I have nothing else to talk about.
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