Stout, Stout, Get it Worked Out!
Box Office Review: American Teens Are Morons
Books for L.A. Nerds: Saints of California
Intrepid L.A. Foodies Tackle 11-in-11 Nocturnal Challenge
'Kick a Ginger Day' Spawned At Least 5 Attacks on Redheaded Kids
by Rory Freedman
Don’t let your panties get in a bunch because I’m writing what seems like a “religious” blog.
Typically when people ask me what religion I am, I say “vegan,” because my decision to abstain from eating, wearing, and using animals has shaped me more than anything else in my life. And these principles have affected every aspect of my life, including my spirituality.
One of the benefits of choosing veganism as my religion: I can make up all the rules myself. Obviously, rule number one is, “Don’t contribute to the suffering or deaths of any animals.” And rule number two is, “Adapt any practices from any other religions that you like.” I gotta tell you, I think I’m, like, such a genius for this. There are so many cool religions out there with so many beautiful practices. As a vegan, I get to enjoy all of ‘em without any limitations. And that’s how this little Freedman got into Lent.
To be honest, I don’t even know the real particulars of Lent. All I know is, for forty days people give something up or take something on. And I think any opportunity for self-improvement is great. Last year, I tried to give up swearing for Lent. Shit, that was hard. Here’s what I’m up to this year:
- No talking negatively about myself or anyone else.
- No offering unsolicited advice.
- Start each day with a “gratitude list”—five things I’m grateful for.
- Pray for someone each day.
Oh my God, the negative comment thing is tough. I never realized how many negative thoughts I have about others or myself in a twenty-four period. And I’m not making myself wrong for this. I’m just really noticing how frequently my mind goes there if left unchecked.
And if I’m thinking the worst of people, I can’t help but want to fix them and tell them what to do. My tongue is practically severed from having to bite it so much; apparently, I love offering guidance to people who aren’t looking for any.
I’m just so thankful to notice these things about myself for forty days. And I’m definitely gonna put that on my “gratitude list” in the morning. Some other things I’ve expressed gratitude for so far: my bed, my dogs, the good date I went on, being self-employed, my friends, having the time to go hiking and to the gym almost every day, and being healthy.
It’s easy to take our health for granted. But after learning that my friend has stage-three colon cancer at the age of thirty-two, I recognize what a gift it is to feel well and worry-free. So today, I prayed for her—that she’d get healthy, be strong, and know that she isn’t alone.
So whatever religion you are or aren’t, know that Lent can be a time to better yourself, your life, or life for those around you.
(Shit! Does that count as unsolicited advice? Shit!)
Rory Freedman is the author of Skinny Bitch. She lives in Los Angeles. Photo by zesmerelda via Flickr
add to stumble upon
add to reddit
tweet this
post to facebook
I think the things you are giving up are commendable.
I've given things up every year for the past 5 and yes it's hard, this year I gave up meat and desserts and it has been difficult (especially during girl scout cookie time, I have a box of Samoas waiting until April 8th in my cupboard), but the things you are giving up are not only for yourself, but you are doing good things for others--which in the end means a whole lot more than abstaining from cookies. =)
try being mexican and giving up tortillas.
to the skinny bitch--i've become vegan for lent. but damn girl, you're doing it up good! congrats to you!
and to the comment by KE, all girl scout cookies (including my favorite, tagalongs) freeze very well.
Amen, sistah! :) Keep up the great work!
Best,
Colleen
--------------------------------------
Colleen Patrick-Goudreau
Founder & Director
Compassionate Cooks
P.O. Box 18512
Oakland, CA 94619
510.531.COOK (2665)
www.compassionatecooks.com
Compassionate Cooks is dedicated to empowering people to make informed food choices and to debunking myths about vegetarianism through cooking classes, lectures & workshops, articles and essays, podcasts, and cooking DVDs.
"Be Kind to Animals...Don't Eat Them."
-------------------------------------------
What a great, thoughtful thing to do for Lent. I have given up physical things (meat, chocolate, etc.) but never a behavior like "thinking negative thoughts." It's an inspiring idea.
hi rory!
on monday i just gave up my thirties. spirituality is most useful in aging and facing death, finding the beauty in the present moment, breathing in and breathing out.
all actions arise from our thoughts, so it is a good goal to give up negative thinking, but very hard to practice. negative speech arises from negative thoughts. the way to reduce them is to sit (meditate) and observe your mind, and learn to "know thyself". we all have every range of thought and emotion, it is the ones we dwell on that can make us happy or miserable.
anyway, good luck with lent! check out my latest project - the vegan bus.