Lent for Life

Image: David Castillo Dominici / freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=3062

I was whining to my mother the other day, “I really sucked at Lent this year.”

After I took a harder look at the commitments I had made and how I had been doing, I realized I was perhaps being overly critical – which is common when Achiever and Maximizer are in your ‘Top Five’ strengths.

Even so, I couldn’t shake a woe-is-me feeling about Lent. Then it struck me; in year’s past I had given up things. I would go 40 days without beer or pizza (no small act of will) as a testament to my love of God and a desire to grow closer to Him. This year I had focused less on sacrifice and more on behaviors and actions that I hoped would become habitual, like praying the rosary or seeking to see Jesus in others.

Historically I was accustomed to a jolt of energy in the last week of Lent. A feeling much like nearing the end of a laborious workout. But building habits doesn’t have a finish line. And when one of your Lenten goals is to dissolve pride, a cry-baby ego asking for a pat on the back was proof that I would need much more than just another week to make good on what I’ve promised God.

So while I’ve been able to enjoy pizza and beer, it appears I’m taking the extended Lent course. And my ego will have to do without the high five, because Lent (and Life) simply isn’t about me.

Lip Service

Today is International Women’s Day. And as you may have seen on Facebook and Twitter, there is a campaign to celebrate the date by wearing red lipstick. Or, by a catchier turn of phrase, to #RockTheLips 

While I’m all for an excuse to go glam, at first I questioned what lipstick really had to do with female empowerment. I understood that women joining together to wear a striking red gloss on a single day would make a statement and heighten awareness. But was it just something fun to do? I’m not sure why, for me, the celebration of women required more than just donning a red hue on my lips.

I was pleased then to see that the movement was ultimately encouraging supporters to participate in a micro-lending platform that could help women achieve their entrepreneurial goals. Many of these worthy candidates were from Mongolia, Paraguay and other far-away lands. And most weren’t impacted in the least by my red lips saying rah-rah for the date. But the meager contribution I made (that didn’t cost me a dime; by simply logging on to Kiva I received a $25 credit) could quite assuredly be life changing for them. 

Though red lipstick may be a fun and frivolous way to celebrate International Women’s Day for me, it’s also a reminder that women around the world are doing their best to advance their lot in life by whatever means they’re given. And perhaps throughout this year, every red carpet lip pout or glam model pucker will be the gentle reminder I need to think about those women and check back in to see who could make another $25 go farther than I could ever imagine.  
So, happy women’s day and may our eyes and our ears be opened by a little red lipstick.