Some people may wonder," What is she up to now? What motivated a 40 day fast?" The answer isn't a simple one. It isn't just one thing. It's really a culmination of events that led up to it. Here is how I was motivated, and then how I plan to implement it.
1) I have been
working on a spiritual themed book I'm writing. It seems to always get pushed
to the background, or sometimes I become unsure of myself and avoid it
altogether. I needed to find the time? Where was it? I realized I spend a great
deal of time on social media because I am a social person ( Well, kind of) I
consider myself an introverted extrovert. (Someday I will explain). So maybe
some kind of social media break would jump-start my writing. What would be my
excuse then???? I hope I don't find another one. Yikes!!!!
2) As I was considering the idea recently of giving up social media so I could write more, I came across this great article. It is geared to my Latter Day Saint friends, yet has great suggestions for any faith. I found it was so helpful at sparking the idea of a fast. Mormons fast the first Sunday of every month and give the money from those meals to the poor through a fast offering. Similarly to Lent, we renew our covenants every Sunday to live devoutly when we take the sacrament and repent. It wasn't that I wasn't aware of fasting, or giving up vices, I just had never done it like this. So my heart reeled with eagerness..."Yes, Let's do this!" I chose from one of the option's given in the article of giving up Facebook for 40 Days. From what I understand you don't just give up a vice or distraction, you must replace it with good works. Something to fill that void. That's where writing my book filled the emptiness perfectly. I also saw a challenge Russel M. Nelson recently gave in a talk that would help me grow closer to my Savior during this time of writing. I will study my scriptures the way he advises, and this is all starting to fit neatly together, like a carefully configured puzzle.This will help me in a spiritual aspect. Here are the 2 article links if you want to check it out!
6 Ways Mormons Can Enjoy the Spirit of Lent
I Studied More Than 2,200 Scriptures about the Savior in Six Weeks:
3) To take on a huge project like writing devotedly, I have to have physical energy. I have had multiple issues with energy since suffering from a accident and injury a few years ago. I fight muscle pain, tenderness, and exhaustion daily. To sit at a computer an write is difficult and must be done in short spurts of time to avoid aggravating my injury.It breaks my heart this has taken such a toll on my love of writing. So I discovered that there are many ways to improve energy. One is to eat less sugar. The topic has been written about all the time. The drain sugar is on our whole well being. I will admit with no reservation what so ever I am addicted to sugar. I am very familiar with vices, and how difficult they are to give up. I also know it would change my life to have more energy. So I decided to add the element of reducing refined sugar during my 40 day fast. This is not the main focus of my fast, it just feels like the right time to try it. This will help me in a physical aspect. Here a couple of links to help kick the sugar habit!
Photo, Roberto
Caruso.
The 7-day plan to help kick your sugar habit
I Quit Sugar
4) The next distraction I have had writing is all the clutter in my life. I recently have taken an interest in the past year looking into the minimalist lifestyle. I have to admit going completely stream lined minimalist is too much for me. The idea is intriguing. I think less stuff is less hassle, less distraction, more freedom. There is a sense of abundance that can come from keeping just what you love. I have been following the 333 Project for a few years. I love it! Then I watched the movie The Minimalist on Netflix. The next day The 40 Bags in 40 Days popped up in my Facebook feed. I clicked on it. I was sold!!! I am already using my 40 days fast as a time to focus on improvement, and this seemed simple enough to do in a short period of time. I will get more mental clarity for writing, and guilt free feeling of purposefulness by de-cluttering, so I can spend time writing my book with a clear conscious and a clear home. I am filling out the worksheet from the 40 Bags website to plan my de-cluttering work.This will help me in the mental aspect. Here are the links if you want to join in!
40 Bags in 40 Days De-cluttering Challenge
40 bags in 40 Days Printable
So that brings me to
tonight...This is the Eve before the fast. For some it is it is part of Marti-Gras,
I think some call it "Fat
Tuesday" or Shrove "Pancake
Day". I guess I will go have my last sugary stack of pancakes
drizzled in butter, finish my de-clutter planning sheet and pull out the
garbage bags for clutter, set up my scripture study corner, sharpen my pencils
and put up my Facebook Fast Cover Picture. I will not be logging into Facebook
from Ash Wednesday until Palm Sunday. I will however be blogging about how my
fast is going to make myself have some accountability. So my blog posts will be
automatically uploaded to Facebook without me logging in so I don't break my
fast. I will miss all my interaction on Facebook so much. I think I am even
going to miss the birth of the baby giraffe. Boo hoo!I know sacrifice brings
forth blessings. Am I ready for this challenge???? You bet I am!!!!
Designer
Life Coach
TheEmpoweringGift@gmail.com
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