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.