Students use Lent as time for dieting

The Lenten season is upon us, and people everywhere are looking for ways to better themselves. I have seen numerous Facebook statuses declaring what my friends are giving up for Lent, from fast food to TV to Facebook itself.  Despite these declarations to improve themselves, have we forgotten to observe the true meaning of Lent when we decide what we're giving up? 

The 40-day event is supposed to signify the struggle of Jesus when he fasted in the desert for 40 days and nights, evading the temptation of Satan. 

It is symbolic and special to people of the Christian faith, as they try to become better people and find ways to become closer to God.  While the old school tradition was to fast for 40 days — save for Sundays— I'm sure somewhere in time people realized that this wasn't healthy, so they adapt, and take up new traditions to show their devotion to their God.

The current fad seems to be to use Lent as a means to diet.  Sort of like a New Year's resolution, but since it's supposedly under God's watchful eye, people can blend their desire to look better with their religious fidelity.  They both last about the same amount of time, and people seem to give up the same things:  Sweets, soda, or fast food.  Do people really care about their relationship with God, or is Lent the perfect opportunity for the final push toward the spring break body we're after? 

While I think that it's good that some people decide to give up things that are tempting to them, more people need to recognize the underlying meaning of the Lenten period, which is to become closer to God in some way. 

An alternative to giving up sweets could be to not only give them up, but to set aside the $3 a day you might spend on a doughnut and latte and donate it to a charity of your choice. 

Or, instead of giving up fast food, take that daily trip to Jack in the Box or Sonic, but give your bacon cheeseburger to a homeless person.  This way, not only are you doing something that improves your health, you are helping someone less fortunate than you.
Lent is not only a time when we can part with something as a way to better ourselves, but also a period when we can add something to our daily lives that might make us more upstanding people.  Vow to say a prayer every day, or volunteer for five more hours a week.

I think of Lent as a 40-day timeframe where I see if I can succeed at some sort of personal challenge.  Last year, I tried to go 40 days without screening my phone calls, which is much more difficult than you might think. 

This year, I'm going to see if I can make it all the way to Easter break without waiting until the night before an assignment is due to get it done.  As a senior who has perfected the art of procrastination, I think this is something that will definitely help me in the long run.  Also, if I can make it until Easter, I can probably make it to finals week.

 
If you have decided to give something up for Lent, more power to you for volunteering to undergoing 40 days of constant self-improvement.  But remember that on top of trying to better your physique, it's important to use the time to challenge your communication and interpersonal skills as well.