Will it be booze? Smoking? Facebook? Maybe those wallet-thinning macchiatos you've been treating yourself to in the afternoons?
Ash Wednesday heralded the start of Lent for Catholics. For 46 days between now and Easter, many will abstain from something in honour of Jesus' sacrifices in the desert.
Many secularists have jumped on the bandwagon, using Lent to take another crack at those failed New Year’s resolutions – 46 days being a walk in the park compared with the rest of your life.
At Lent, everything is on the table, from Timbits and Twitter to swearing and texting while driving. Susan Boyle is giving up chocolate, and collecting whatever cash she saves for charity.
“This year, I'll be turning off my e-mail after work ends. I'll sacrifice my digital addiction in the hopes of recognizing the real world a little,” writes the Washington Post's Melissa Bell.
Others are taking more retro approaches.
Like the Trappist monks of Germany’s Paulaner Brewery did 300 years ago, beer blogger J. Wilson has decided to subsist on doppelbock, a strong lager, throughout his fast.
Historically, doppelbock was sweet, serving as a kind of “liquid bread” for the monks when solid food was verboten during their fasts.
Mr. Wilson will blog about his experience, but the Christian man insists he isn't being flippant.
“Getting drunk is not on the agenda. It’s not a cavalier action I’m taking, and it’s going to be difficult. To think I can go without food for 46 days without noticing is insane. There’s a real spiritual element I’m interested in exploring. … There’s a deep correlation between the church and beer, especially in Europe.”
What are you giving up for Lent this year? Do you think the occasion should be used for non-religious purposes?
