Lent Day 8

Today feels like I'm now in the territory of lent when sacrificing all my potential addictive behaviors now becomes work.  I'm over the initial excitement of the idea of Lent and I'm at the point where I realize the things I'm sacrificing include things I didn't necessarily realize would be included.  Like, the Indian food of paneer.  Seems so harmless, but it is in fact, dairy.  Or those little hard candies that people keep in a dish on their desk.  It seems so natural to pick them up and suck on them.  Of course we all know there's sugar in them.  I knew what I was getting into when I started this, though.  If this journey of Lent was easy everyone would be doing it and it wouldn't be considered a sacrifice.

Today's Focus:  Shopping addiction feeds upon the same chemicals as sex addiction and food addiction.  Yes, it's that dopamine, again. Whether it's trying to win an eBay auction, getting a pair of shoes on sale, or, for some shoplifting.  I have to be honest I'm in a little foreign territory.  That's not to say I've never been excited about some key purchases - especially related to my sporting goods.  I definitely know what the rush feels like, but it's never been unmanageable.  Do you know if you've crossed the line?  Do you need a quiz to help to know for sure?

Today's Postive Action:  Start a journal, if you haven't started one already.  Track how the season of Lent is impacting your sleep, your health, your weight, and your outlook on life.  Keep bible verses and quotes that resonate with you.  Draw, doodle, and just in general express yourself.

Lord, we had misplaced our faith in so many things that brought short-term happiness and become addicted to the many activities that produce dopamine.  It started so innocently but then the progressive nature of addiction took over.  Once in a while was no longer enough and the behavior became more frequent.  That which used to be enough no longer satisfied our cravings and we "needed" more.  Slowly the costs became very expensive - we lost the most valuable gifts we are blessed with.  Love and joy and peace.  Thankfully Lord you gave us tools to shake free of our addictions and rebuild that which we had squandered.  You gave us the 12 steps to grow closer to you.  And in doing so we restored the relationships we had destroyed.  It did not come easy, nor did it come back quickly.  Nevertheless, with time, work, sacrifice we were blessed with the life You had intended for us.  Through this we learned of Your grace.  For this we are forever Grateful.  Praise be to God - Hallelu Yah.  Amen.

Thanks for letting me share.