In Preparation of Lent

This will be year two for me to try to give up TV for six weeks. Last year didn't go so well. So, for inspiration, a list!

Things I might do instead of watching television:

-play with the cats
-play with the dog
-floss
-keep the house clean(er)
-write more blog posts
-pray
-repaint bedrooms
-play piano
-read
-talk on the phone
-exercise
-go on dates
-garden
-eat less/ sit less/ computer less

Oh yeah, and do that Lent thing. Because here's the deal about Lent: it's not about the thing you took away, it's about what you do instead of the thing you took away.

"Lent is a season of preparation for the celebration of Easter and has historically served as a time of preparation for a new move of God in one’s life, symbolized by Jesus’ resurrection, celebrated each Easter.  During this time we move towards more fully entering into Jesus’ life, suffering, death, and, therefore, resurrection. It is a time when we make more room in our lives to focus on Jesus by giving up things that bring us comfort or distract us.  The idea is to then spend that time/energy/money with and for Jesus. It is also a time when, through clearing extra things out of our lives, we may become more aware of our own sin and/or our deep need for Jesus." -http://vcfp.org/sermons-resources/program-handouts/ways-to-observe-lent/

Besides the traditional "giving something up" practice, you could also:

-Make a Crown of Thorns
-Make a Prayer Chain
-Consider a Lenten Gift Offering
-Take Inventory and Lighten the Load
-Give TV the Night Off
-Read a Lent Devotional

(All suggestions taken from: http://vcfp.org/sermons-resources/program-handouts/ways-to-observe-lent/)