Somehow I totally skipped out on the fact that today is Shrove Tuesday. Or Fat Tuesday. Or Fausnacht Day. Whatever you want to call it.
Despite being a Catholic Pagan Unitarian Peace Mission Quaker who no longer celebrates most Catholic traditions, I really like the Ash Wednesday. Of course, it's not for the right reasons, but hey, we all have our vernaculars.
I like Ash Wednesday for that moment when ashes are spread across my forehead and I am told, "Remember you are from dust, and unto dust you shall return." Which, like I said, is not the intention. You're supposed to feel repentant, guilty for being a sinner. But I've never really felt that penance like I'm supposed to, that fear of being judged. It's sort of macabre, but it reminds me that time is fleeting and that I should use the time I'm given full. Embrace life and live it to the fullest. The only thing I've ever felt sorry for is not living up to my potential and being wasteful. That's what I get out of it, and that's why I keep going back year after year to get my ashes. It's one of the few Catholic rituals that I feel something for, a sense of connection to, even if it's the wrong connection.
Anyway. Jasmine brought a bunch of fausnachts into the office today and I was overcome with glee. I haven't had fausnachts on Shrove Tuesday since I was in high school. Like, real, honest-to-goodness fausnachts. So after stuffing my face with one, I dashed to my computer and franticly emailed my mom to ask her to freeze some for me from St. Gertrude's. Or whatever they call that church now.
Starting tomorrow, I will be abstaining from all sweet treats for at least 40 days. I will also be making an effort to go to the gym again. Because in part with that "living life to the fullest" and "living up to my potential" means a little self improvement. I may also, depending on how hard core I am feeling tomorrow, give up red meat (which I don't eat that much of anyway) or meat altogether. I haven't decided.
In any event, I've been invited to a Fry Party this evening at Haven and Mike's so that might have to happen, for one more day of hedonistic face stuffing before all the work begins.
Despite being a Catholic Pagan Unitarian Peace Mission Quaker who no longer celebrates most Catholic traditions, I really like the Ash Wednesday. Of course, it's not for the right reasons, but hey, we all have our vernaculars.
I like Ash Wednesday for that moment when ashes are spread across my forehead and I am told, "Remember you are from dust, and unto dust you shall return." Which, like I said, is not the intention. You're supposed to feel repentant, guilty for being a sinner. But I've never really felt that penance like I'm supposed to, that fear of being judged. It's sort of macabre, but it reminds me that time is fleeting and that I should use the time I'm given full. Embrace life and live it to the fullest. The only thing I've ever felt sorry for is not living up to my potential and being wasteful. That's what I get out of it, and that's why I keep going back year after year to get my ashes. It's one of the few Catholic rituals that I feel something for, a sense of connection to, even if it's the wrong connection.
Anyway. Jasmine brought a bunch of fausnachts into the office today and I was overcome with glee. I haven't had fausnachts on Shrove Tuesday since I was in high school. Like, real, honest-to-goodness fausnachts. So after stuffing my face with one, I dashed to my computer and franticly emailed my mom to ask her to freeze some for me from St. Gertrude's. Or whatever they call that church now.
Starting tomorrow, I will be abstaining from all sweet treats for at least 40 days. I will also be making an effort to go to the gym again. Because in part with that "living life to the fullest" and "living up to my potential" means a little self improvement. I may also, depending on how hard core I am feeling tomorrow, give up red meat (which I don't eat that much of anyway) or meat altogether. I haven't decided.
In any event, I've been invited to a Fry Party this evening at Haven and Mike's so that might have to happen, for one more day of hedonistic face stuffing before all the work begins.
Labels: Miscellania, Religious Natterings
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