Upcoming Lenten Journey

Fortunately, I have a bit more time to think and plan for what I would like to strive for in my Lenten journey this year.  Ash Wednesday is considerably later this year (March) than the last few years (February).  However, I am rather all over the map in regards to what I should do at this time.  

A Lenten Fast in my Catholic faith incorporates the following concepts:

A primary goal of fasting during Lent is to repent, or turn away from sin, and to prepare for Easter. Fasting is a traditional way to signify sorrow for transgressions and to express humility for failures. It is a way to discipline the body and train the mind and increase understanding of faith. 

Components of a Lenten fast include:

Repentance - feeling sorrow and the offering of reparation for failures to be good and kind. 

Self-control - displaying the ability to make good and kind choices. 

Prayer - fasting can facilitate prayerfulness and contemplation.

In reality, the ideas of a Lenten journey are to become better as a person, become more prepared for Easter, and to (arguably in an exceedingly small way) model and shape one's life to attempt to model the fasting of Christ.

* * * * 

With the above, I can literally chose from a near infinite number of options in which I could work to try to become a better person, become a kinder, more caring individual, and lose at least some of my many, many failings.

Two ideas have been mentioned here that do each have merit for me to consider adopting.  Yet each is rather in conflict with each other in some fashion.  These two ideas revolve around my persistent thoughts about my pipes and pipe tobaccos.  In the now seven full years in which I have abstained from my pipes and pipe tobaccos (sans my Dad's 100th birthday), I initially entered into my effort to abstain with the full belief that as time passed, the desires for, the memories of, and the interest in my pipes and pipe tobaccos would dissipate.  That has proven to be inaccurate.  I now believe that regardless of whether I smoke my pipes or not, I will very likely continue to desire, continue to have memories of, and continue to have deep interest in my pipes and pipe tobaccos.  So, with that in mind, three different ideas have been suggested (or thought of):

1.  Pat suggested that perhaps I would benefit from a Lenten fasting from ABSTAINING from my pipes and pipe tobaccos.  

And, in my mind, this seems delightful to consider.  It is almost akin to a "Get out of jail free" card in Monopoly to my mind.  I could dive back into the journey I have missed.  As was suggested, though, if I view it in the light than I am fasting from abstaining in order to better understand my attachments to the pipes and pipe tobaccos... that could be a good thing.  But, in the same vein, if I were to do this, but not really follow through in the focus on examination, thought, and understanding of  the "whys?" I could very easily fall into gluttony and hedonism as my focus with fasting from abstaining.  I think it could be a rather narrow tightrope to balance upon.

2.  Another suggestion is that I could instead fast from the "Retiree's Cigar Group" during Lent.  

In this mode, I would, I guess, be focusing on introspection of my motives for smoking a pipe.... in an environment devoid of the influence of the weekly cigar indulged in with the group.  And, I can see potential merit in this as well.  Yet, I had that sort of environment for years PRIOR to starting to attend the "Retiree's Cigar Group" and during that time the findings of my introspection were, at best chaotic, and at worst unsuccessful.  Perhaps the thought is now that I have been indulging in a cigar weekly that to abstain would in some way perhaps replicate my original period of abstaining from my pipes and if so, this may offer me new insights.  

* * * * *

Yet, in idea #1 (fasting from abstaining) I do think there is a very real risk that a) I would simply fall into a very easy sense of gluttony and hedonism and would wallow as happily there as a pig does in mud, or b) even if I would strive to begin abstaining again at Easter, would I have literally "fallen off the wagon" and not be able to return?  I do not know if I would chose to return to the state of abstinence.  It was quite difficult that first time.  Perhaps it would be even more difficult a second time?  

And, in idea #2 (fasting from the "Retiree's Cigar Group), I would feel especially a sense of loss of the friendships I have made.  When I went there yesterday, there was only one fellow from the group there, and because I was especially late, he was only able to stay about 15 minutes.  I did chat with the owner a bit as well, but then I went to the upstairs loft and quietly read by a brightly lit window for another hour and a half.  Even that little bit of friendship time felt enriching to me. And, yes, the cigar was entertaining as well.  It was not a pipe, and a pipe would be several logarithmic levels more enticing and wonderful.... but the cigar was nice.  But, perhaps it is the WHOLE of the experience that has the significance.  The "Retiree's Cigar Group" seems in some way to be a mechanism to get me to "slow down" if you know what I mean.  When I left late in the late afternoon, I felt exceedingly relaxed, and more "present" in myself than I know how to adequately put into words.    

* * * * *

So, while the above two seem to each have merit as possibilities, both have considerable worrisome aspects to me as well.  They are still both options for this upcoming Lent, but I am also beginning to try to look more broadly as well for other things that could form part of my Lenten journey this year.  I have sometimes in last Lents attempted and strove for up to three different foci.  I am not sure if I have the energy for that many challenging foci or not this year, but it is an option.

PipeTobacco

PCS - 7

Contentedness Score - 5