If your eye causes you to sin...

[deckardcanine]

I am observing Lent for the first time in my life. Too bad I got a late start (which is not to say I started in the last few days). In truth, I've never even made a New Year's resolution, so the experience is quite new to me. I figure the sacrifice should be major enough that I feel it, but not enough that I fail it. Ultimately, I chose to give up two things for good measure: (1) substantial quantities of sweets -- figure more than three Gummi Bears a day -- and (2) video/computer games.

It seems to be working. I have suffered on both counts without welching. On the other hand, hardly an hour goes by without me thinking about games. This doesn't seem right. Jesus would not want me to crave worldly things even more. The situation reminds me of Diogenes, who allegedly chose to live in poverty but hated it for making people greedy. What we really need is to detach ourselves both physically *and* emotionally from our obsessions. Isn't that closer to the point of the sacrifice?

The worst part is, I can't tell whether I had the thoughts more or less often before I put the games aside. Much as I hate to admit it, I must be a junkie.

Comments

[richardf8]

Seize the opportunity to do something else with the time. Pining for what you have given up is no different than never having given it up. Use the recaptured time to read some absorbing books or pursue a hobby that does not rely on technology for its production. In short, get something into your mind to fill the void, and the longing will diminish.

[deckardcanine.livejournal.com]

Hm, you have a point there. Right now my time is filled mainly with schoolwork, religious study, and miscellaneous online activity. It's a shame I didn't bring any pleasure reading or crosswords with me. I suppose it'll help to set aside time for writing and/or cartooning again. (No, I'm afraid my cartoons are not in the public domain.)

[deckardcanine.livejournal.com]

It occurs to me now that much, if not most, of my thinking on games is not really pining. I may replay their musics in my head or come up with new observations and applications of themes, but that doesn't mean I want to play the games again. Perhaps it's not as bad as I thought.

I should still take up another activity, tho.

[zombiechick.livejournal.com]

I'm agnostic so I don't observe any sort of holiday that has to do with self denial. However, I have recently, due to readings in one of my graduate classes, become really sick over all the stuff that I possess. Not to say I've become physically ill on my possessions but rather I've started to reconsider my role as a consumer. And so I've decided to only buy consumable items for an entire month. This includes food, renting videos, etc.

[deckardcanine.livejournal.com]

Incidentally, my Shakespeare and Philosophy course just had me read Timon of Athens, with a strong focus on classical Cynicism.

[zombiechick.livejournal.com]

I don't think I've ever read that play actually. I'm actually not a fan of Shaekspeare in general. Meaning I wouldn't read his writing just for fun but I do enjoy seeing it performed. Spring Break is coming up. Maybe I'll check that one out. Have you seen the film adaptation of Titus Andronicus with Anthony Hopkins? I highly recommend it.

[deckardcanine.livejournal.com]

Maybe I will see Titus, but I don't recommend the reading of Timon to any but a Shakespeare enthusiast like myself. It is dreary and uneventful, and few characters have any depth. The main thing to like about it is the angry wit of the Cynic Apemantus and his companion fool.

[collegezoo.livejournal.com]

One interpretation I've heard is that the act of giving something up will cause you to think of God everytime you think of what you give up.

I to am too doing my first Lent, but I not taking away, I'm adding. Now at least once a day, I eat a salid. I a way you could see it as I'm giving up other food, because the greens are really nothing more than filler.

[deckardcanine.livejournal.com]

I'm always appalled at how much the so-called experts differ in their opinions on nutrition. Some say we don't get enough greens; others say greens offer no nutrition whatsoever. I guess the science is still very young and we hardly know a darned thing about it.