NPR: What Are You Giving Up for Lent?

What Are You Giving Up for Lent?

I just strolled down 5th Avenue and saw a lot of people which smudges on their foreheads.
After all our Mardi Gras festivities yesterday, I am surprised I forgot today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent.

Traditionally, the 40 days of Lent were a pre-Easter period of fasting...but now most people who observe the holiday give up something near and dear to their hearts to help them consider growth, penitence and simplicity. In the past, I've given up gossip websites, chocolate, beer. I better get on the stick and decide about '08. What about you?

Alison Stewart

10:02 AM ET | 02- 6-2008 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

I tried to give up chocolate before Lent, cuz I'm avant-garde. But I only lasted a week. I feel like my whole life is Lenten these days, so I'm not giving up anything.

Sent by Tricia, NPR | 12:08 PM ET | 02-06-2008

I'm giving up Bacon, Egg and Cheese sandwiches, which are a staple of my morning diet, unfortunately.

Sent by Matt Martinez-NPR | 12:08 PM ET | 02-06-2008

I am giving up diet coke. I have been considering it for a while but haven't been able to commit. Then I read this article about how metabolic syndrome is tied to diet soda. http://snipurl.com/1z44w
Goodbye sweet DP...I'll miss you friend.

Sent by Caitlin Kenney NPR | 12:14 PM ET | 02-06-2008

I'm giving up wine under $10 a bottle and broccoli. And I really like broccoli.

Sent by Rachel Martin, NPR | 12:29 PM ET | 02-06-2008

Inconsequential television i.e. Law & Order reruns, local weather ... wait, must one be Catholic to give things up?

Sent by David Hollis, Hamilton, NY | 1:02 PM ET | 02-06-2008

Me, I'm giving up self-pity. That and refined sugar.

Sent by Sarah G | 1:45 PM ET | 02-06-2008

I'm giving up sweets. Oh, and reading blogs that ask me what I'm giving up.

Sent by Spamboy | 1:50 PM ET | 02-06-2008

Ahh, this calls for a bit of the ol' Father Ted...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzzCPHdpISo

Sent by Michael Calanan, SLC, UT | 2:16 PM ET | 02-06-2008

I am giving up sodas, which means I have been drinking more tea at work to avoid caffeine withdrawal.

Sent by Joe | 2:22 PM ET | 02-06-2008

Caitlin - it's not just diet soda! http://snurl.com/1z4hf
Rachel - what's wrong with broccoli? Just for the discipline of it?

I will attempt to give up procrastinating. As I am finishing up my thesis, I think this will be a gargantuan task. But the benefits should be outstanding if I can pull it off.

Sent by Summer | 2:38 PM ET | 02-06-2008

Hmm... since I study Buddhism, I guess I am working on giving up attachments, but that's not just for Lent! :-)

Sent by Kerstin Upmeyer (Kittydew) | 2:39 PM ET | 02-06-2008

One of the benefits of atheism: I'm giving up nothing.

Sent by Maura | 3:03 PM ET | 02-06-2008

I'm giving up Coke in particular, and junk food in general, but that is because of the impending visit of a friend, and just happens to coincide with Lent.

Sent by Kathy, Amherst VA | 3:05 PM ET | 02-06-2008

no way these are my addictions and I'm so not giving them up.

But I have to say cheaper then $10 bottles of wine is a good one.

Sent by scott (manhattan7) | 3:26 PM ET | 02-06-2008

For the past couple of years I've knitted things for charity during Lent, rather than giving up something.

Sent by Susie | 8:53 PM ET | 02-06-2008

i'm giving up complaining about other people. you have no idea how hard that is going to be!

Sent by shawn (@seamusspeaks) | 10:02 PM ET | 02-06-2008

I gave up sarcastic remarks a few years ago and ended up mute for 40 days. The following year, I tried to give up Catholicism for Lent, but the idea broke my brain, so now I give up wine, chocolate, and DVDs (yum) each year.

Sent by Fern, San Diego CA | 2:44 AM ET | 02-07-2008

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