One Secret to a Working Mom's Success: Keep Standing

Me, standing in Barbados Those of us who live our lives out loud on the internet subject ourselves to scrutiny. Some comment, "Nobody's life is perfect. These posts must be fake," Those making those comments might even be close to us because they "know our business" and they whisper and gossip and say, "she's so fake".  To those who may read my blog and make such comments, (the trolls) know that I hear you, see you, and completely disagree. 

Drinking My Way to Fat Tuesday...

The other day I finally looked at a regular calendar. Usually I look at an Outlook calendar where the holidays aren't illuminated. However, when I glanced at the regular calendar I realized that Ash Wednesday is this coming Wednesday. WOW! Time has really flown by in 2012. I can't believe that Lent will start in a few days.

Although I am not Catholic, I will still be figuring out something to give up for the Lenten season.  I believe  in the concept of Lent. I understand the benefit of sacrifice. It's probably a function of four years of Catholic school. (I also am really comfortable with the concept of guilt, but that is a topic for another post!)

I generally give up something that has become a part of my routine that I'm not altogether pleased with. For the past ten years my Lenten sacrifice has involved giving up alcohol in some form or fashion. I have given up hard alcohol, all alcohol, alcohol during the week--almost any way that you can give up alcohol.

Like a lot of lawyers, after I began practicing law I took up drinking.  Most lawyers drink on a consistent basis. When I worked at a firm giving up alcohol was not well received, even though I practiced in the Bible Belt. I distinctly recall a fellow associate saying, "Just have a drink!" when I refused one during Lent. It's funny how one's personal choices can create hostility in others.

For the past six months I have been enjoying a glass of red wine nearly every night.  I get home after work. I play with the baby. Andre bathes the baby. I nurse her and put her in her crib.  Then, I go downstairs and have a glass of wine.  Then I Tweet. That has become a ritual, my routine.  I look forward to it. It makes me smile. And I quite enjoy it.

Reading the calendar and seeing that Lent is coming soon has me thinking about what I should give up this year.  I've been thinking a lot about my ritual, that nightly glass of wine. Because I enjoy it so much I think that I should probably give it up for Lent. That would be a sacrifice. 

Perhaps. because of those thoughts, I feel like I have been drinking more.  This whole weekend I have been drinking wine like it is going out of style, like it is going out of fashion--like they won't be making anymore after Tuesday.  Subconsciously I think I've been drinking so much wine because Fat Tuesday is during the week and I am working on Wednesday.

As I am writing this post the baby is asleep, I am enjoying a glass of red wine, and Andre is in the kitchen doing the dishes.  This is about as close to perfection as I get on any day. 

When Ash Wednesday comes I will have to define perfection differently. Perhaps I will start drinking decaffeinated Earl Grey tea for Lent.  We'll see.  However, I do know that giving up my red wine after work will be a sacrifice.  And for Lent, that is more than OK. Until Wednesday, CHEERS!!!

Don't judge me.
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Comments

Kathy said…
I haven't decided what I am giving up yet but I agree it must be a true sacrifice so that we may re-focus that energy on strengthening our fellowship and relationship with God.
You have me thinking now!
Anonymous said…
It is tough to give up something that you enjoy. I have done bread and pasta and that worked out fine. Not sure what I'll do this year. You got me thinking even more.