2/11/14
I decided to give up chocolate for Lent. Originally I wanted to do it in January but I realized I wasn't ready when I saw how much chocolate I had stored. It was then that I realized Lent would be a good time to give up chocolate, even though it would be two weeks longer than January.
2/24/14
Just from some of the Catholics I've known through out my life, I learned that Lent is the time for giving up something and eating fish and avoiding other meats on Friday. (I doubt I will do fish, because my breakfast place doesn't offer fish for breakfast.)
And if by chance I accidentally eat some chocolate during Lent; I will just pick myself up and get back on the wagon. Because if I wait too long to forgive myself, I'll miss the wagon entirely. I might have to catch another wagon and it wouldn't be the same.
I've found out when I said I couldn't do something; I was able to do it, much to my surprise. And take it one day at a time. That is my plan for abstaining from chocolate.
2/26/14
I googled "Ash Wednesday" and I found that Catholics can't eat meat on that day and that is like Fast Sunday. One good meal and two snacks that so not add up to a meal. Well, almost like Fast Sunday. Mormons abstain from eating for 24 hours, which is two meals.
3/3/14
As I was leaving work, I realized that tomorrow is my last of chocolate for six weeks. I don't know if it hit me what I am giving up. I LOVE chocolate. I imagine it will be hard, but I made a choice. So maybe I will find options that aren't chocolate. And when the six weeks are up, how much chocolate will I consume? Will it be less or will it be more?
3/5/14
I made thru the first day of no chocolate. I was tempted when my co-workers and I went to the Park Building to say good bye to a co-worker in our division. There was chocolate cupcakes. At first I thought I could have one and then I remembered I gave up chocolate for Lent. Luckily there were other pastries available, so I was able to leave with some coffee cake. I am grateful for other options.
3/7/14
Yesterday, I found a co-worker gave up soda for Lent. My co-workers have been supportive. One co-worker didn't know when she gave me a chocolate cupcake covered with peanut butter frosting. I took it and told her I gave up chocolate, but I thanked her for offering it to me. In the afternoon, I licked off the frosting and put the rest of cupcake in a bag. When I got home, the cupcake went in the freezer. Hopefully I will remember to eat it on Easter.
3/11/14
It's been a week without chocolate. Just five more to go. It has been hard, but it also been easier than I thought it would be. I'm learning to look for other options. And it has helped to be positive.
3/24
My co-worker caved in and had a soda. She was at a friend's house and all there was Pepsi and can a beer, so she picked the lesser of two evils and drank the Pepsi. Instead of jumping back on the wagon, she is drinking soda. But I am glad that she went without soda for as long as she did.
This reminds me of when we doing something not quite right and we give up. I've done that. After a year of working on being a team player at work, my boss told me that even though I had improved, I still wasn't a team player. I gave up and quit trying. I decided it was a goal that I would never obtain, so why try. I failed, so why keep trying. But we aren't asked to be successful, but to be faithful.
4/9
Ten more days and I'm looking forward to chocolate. I miss it. It is getting harder to resist, because it has been so long and it so close to the end. Reminds me of enduring to the end; staying faithful to the commitment I've made. It makes me realize a bit what engaged couples go thru. It probably gets hard right before the wedding. "Hey, we getting married tomorrow, why is one day." If I had chocolate now, it would be harder to forgive myself. Why get back on the wagon, when the destination is so close.
But it getting easier too. I only have ten more. I can do this. The light at the end of tunnel is visible. I wonder what chocolate I will eat first?
4/12
Last night after the dance concert, we stopped at Cold Stone for ice cream. When I looked at the menu, I panicked. Most of the menu items contained chocolate. But just like a month ago when I stopped in Top It, I looked for items that didn't contain chocolate. I may not many choices, but I can choose something. It is important in life to focus on what we have; it helps us to be more positive. Counting our blessings helps us not only be grateful, but realize the richness in our life. The only true broke person is one who is more focused on what he or she doesn't have instead of being more focused on what he or she has.
4/19
My last day of being chocolate-free. It seems weird. Friday night after work, I put some granola bars in my bag. As I was getting into the cupboard, I moved the granola bars that I put in the back during Lent and moved them to the front. I took one out. It felt strange to think I could have this Monday morning for a snack. I didn't feel the guilt when I bought some Fiber One brownies at Costco today like I did before Lent.
I think when I break my chocolate fast, I will eat a Moritz Ice Cube. I remember eating those as a child; I think some of my birthday pennies for the Primary Children's Hospital purchased some Ice Cubes. I don't think I will be able to eat the Brown & Haley Mountain bar I purchased in Tacoma, February 17th. Brown & Haley shipped those to the soldiers who served in World War II. My dad served in Alaska and I bet he enjoyed a few.
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