#173 - lent, again

it seems like it's always lent. well it is here once again, on wednesday. i didn't really give it much thought this year, as i have already given up shopping for 2009. that is going really well, haven't bought anything except food and 1 gift for someone. i think this year instead of focusing on the giving up of something i will do another part of it, which is the getting closer to god part.

i am not catholic or even christian, i like to think i'm kind of buddhist. so why do i even practice lent? i don't know. why do i practice gift-giving at christmas? i am a damn conformist! i'm not going around with an ash cross on my head on wednesday but i do love the idea of lent. i started in college and just kept doing it every year. 40 days is a pretty long time and if you can do anything for that long it kind of becomes a habit. then if i like it i will continue and if not, well it was good for those 40.

this year i will practice my spirituality and do things to get closer to god. while for more people this means prayer, for me i think i will try different things. i will try to pray (i've tried it before....not so much) but i really want to do some meditation. i may even try some yoga again. the idea for me is to do something everyday to get me in touch with my spiritual nature and the god within me. it may include reading spiritual literature or listening to a buddhist podcast.

i am going to do buddhist things for a christian tradition. i like to mix my religions up! so anyway, that's my plan for lent. pray, meditate, yoga, read, listen, spiritualize!

on a totally unrelated note, i watched a great movie yesterday called "into the wild" it's based on a book by jon krakauer (also wrote "into thin air"). it's based on a true story about a guy who basically goes to alaska to live in the wilderness and be free of society and its rules. he burned the last of his money, hitchhiked around, rode trains, met people, lived life and ultimately he chose solitude. the soundtrack was amazing, music by eddie vedder. the main character was played by emile hersh who is quickly becoming one of my fave new actors (he also played alongside oscar-winner sean penn in "milk"). i'd definitely recommend it!