Lost and Not Yet Found

I have misplaced the file where I have written responses to comments.  I think perhaps I left it on my computer at home instead of transferring it to the flash drive that I normally do.  I tend to do this with all my files.... I may work on one computer or another, but I try to faithfully transfer things I do on one machine to the other via a flash drive.  When I find where the file is sitting, I will get up the "comments" post I had been promising.  

Thinking about the upcoming Lent, I really need to give thought to what my plan will be during this season.  I feel I need to try to find ways to accomplish a few different things:

1.  I want to evaluate AT LEAST ONE area in my life that I feel I need to fix or improve in myself.  And, when I figure out which one or more are most meaningful to try to fix or improve..... to develop a plan of attack towards fixing them.  

2.  I want to determine AT LEAST ONE new way I can work to serve others, and I want to find and actively and consistently become involved in that sort of service in a long-term, permanent way.  

3.  I want to find a way (perhaps scheduled) to spend some time in quiet and peacefulness to try to wrestle through some worries, fears, and some potentially excessive expectations about what retirement may be like.

The above seem to be the items I want to figure out in the next several days.  I suspect I may end up writing about the above here as well, as Lent progresses..... but first I have to figure out my parameters.  

• I had thought about potentially giving up my once a week cigar with the fellows for Lent.  But, ultimately, I have decided to not do this as I feel psychologically the friendship I have there is too important to my well being.  
• There are so many failings and weaknesses I have that I am not sure how to narrow the focus to one or a couple that I feel I could potentially make some true, tangible progress on.  I think the key is I have to find the one-or-more items that I have at least some sense within myself that I CAN muster up the energy to work to fix in myself.  
• I want to find some form of service that I can manage within my rather hectic schedule, but I would be especially pleased if I could figure out a way to find a form of service that different or outside the realm of what I try to do now.  

Hmm.  And, there are so many things to think about and consider as I approach eventually retiring.  It boggles the mind in many ways.  I have to try to put those issues down here on paper to make them more tangible for me.

• And, as I am now approaching what I believe is EIGHT full years fasting away from my pipes and pipe tobaccos (sans the single bowlful on my Dad's 100th, 101st, and 102nd birthdays).... I am wondering and beginning to think that maybe I need to "re-evaluate" this fast.  I am not feeling particularly sure about it anymore.

So many things to think about.  Such a brief time before Lent starts.  Even though the start date is intermediate  within the dates it has fallen (it is not overly early).... for some reason, its impending start has caught me off guard a bit.  I do not feel ready.

PipeTobacco