What is Lentspiration?

Every year, I give up something for Lent. Usually it's cheese. For me, there is nothing harder to cut out than cheese - believe me, it is my achilles heel. This year, however, as I pondered what to give up, I realized that for me Lent has actually become more about self control regarding food than honoring God. Doesn't that defeat the purpose?

This year I am going to try something a little different. My natural disposition in life is that of a snarky pessimist. It suits me well most of the time, but lately I have been too much of a negative nelly. I have been blessed in so many ways: I have a secure job, a wonderful husband, two beautiful kids, and a safe home with a warm bed to crawl into every night. My problem is that I have become way to focused on the things I don't have, pretty much all related to money: the luxury of not living paycheck to paycheck, the fact that we cannot afford a family vacation, having to look at the checkbook before ordering pizza, living off canned soup for lunch while my friends eat out. It's time to refocus.

There are two books we keep on the back of our toilet in the guest bathroom (which in our house is the universal bathroom) Don't Sweat the Small Stuff by Richard Carlson and The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. Both inspirational, both filled with things with which I want to reprogram my mind. It hit me yesterday on Ash Wednesday, that this my Lent project for this year will not be a sacrifice, but an undertaking. I call it "Lentspiration." Yes, it is a silly name, but it encapsulates the sentiment I am looking for: an undertaking to look at the positive- the things I DO have- and to lose the anxiety and quit focusing on what I don't have.

Will my project work? I don't know. But I cannot wait for the end of the next 40 days to see. I hope you enjoy my journey with me.