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mar's Desk

​This multi-topic blog publishes weekly on Wednesdays.
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marcoujor: Pass the Chocolate

2/27/2017

14 Comments

 
Picture
​​Several days ago, a good friend sent me the following list of 19 things to consider giving up this Lent and beyond, right on time for today's Ash Wednesday post.

Expecting to see chocolate, alcohol and the like, I was pleasantly surprised to find a list filled with sage personal suggestions.


I did a bit more research and found this list originally included a total of 40 things by Rev. Phil Ressler. Click here if you want to check out the article.

Meanwhile, here is the shortened version...


19 things you might consider giving up this Lent and beyond:

​💠Fear: God is on my side. In Him I am more than a conqueror. (See Romans 98)

💠The need to please everyone: I can’t please everyone anyway. There is only one I need to strive to please.

💠Envy: I am blessed. My value is not found in my possessions, but in my relationship with my Heavenly Father.

💠Impatience: God’s timing is the perfect timing.

💠Sense of entitlement: The world does not owe me anything. God does not owe me anything. I live in humility and grace.

💠Bitterness and Resentment: The only person I am hurting by holding onto these is myself.

💠Blame: I am not going to pass the buck. I will take responsibility for my actions.

💠Gossip and Negativity: I will put the best construction on everything when it comes to other people. I will also minimize my contact with people who are negative and toxic and bring other people down.

💠Comparison: I have my own unique contribution to make and there is no one else like me.

💠Fear of failure: You don’t succeed without experiencing failure. Just make sure you fall forward.

💠A spirit of poverty: Believe with God that there is always more than enough and never a lack.

💠Feelings of unworthiness: You are fearfully and wonderfully made by your creator. (see Psalm 139)

💠Doubt: Believe God has a plan for you that is beyond anything you could imagine. The future is brighter than you could ever realize.

💠Self-pity: God comforts us in our sorrow so that we can comfort others with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

💠Retirement: As long as you are still breathing, you are here for a reason. You have a purpose to influence others for Christ. That does not come to an end until the day we die.

💠Excuses: A wise man once said, if you need an excuse, any excuse will do.

💠Lack of counsel: Wise decisions are rarely made in a vacuum.

💠Pride: Blessed are the humble.

💠Worry: God is in control and worrying will not help.

I don't know about you but I feel truly lighter as I ponder each of these weighty issues. This season I have posted this list next to my Vision Board where I am reviewing it on a daily basis.  I'm hoping to ultimately give up each of these burdens for the long haul.

I'm sharing this universal wisdom with you, along with some chocolate. No matter what religion you ascribe to, I hope you find it as valuable, and delicious, as I have.
​
​

Have some M&Ms with mar ☺

Picture
Image via Alexas-Fotos of Pixabay. Click here to view their gallery.

ShoutOuts

☙ Love is For The Birds! Via WarnerWords
☙ What is Google+ via molometer’s blog
☙ Migrating from Evernote to Google Drive via flashPress

​Until next week, wishing you peace,

mar
14 Comments
Vicki link
3/1/2017 10:19:55 am

Dear Maria,
Love this list. A recipe for good things to remember in life all year, every year. And of course candy makes everything better!
Love and hugs,
Vicki

Reply
Maria link
3/1/2017 08:25:53 pm

Glad you loved this list and the candy as much as I did, dear V.

Hugs and thanks for being the first to stop by!

Reply
paula
3/1/2017 10:35:49 am

Ohhh LOVE Sarah!! She's heavenly. Love your work too Maria....always inspirational~always comforting. The list is absolutely great & I agree it is better than the usual, mundane things we give up in sacrifice for Lent. My Lenten vows in the past, seemed to go the way of my New Year resolutions! Shame on me. But there's hope for me~~I always try to make up for my flaws in some way.
When I gave up on resolutions and replaced them with my own original ideas (don't worry, they're legal!) I also switched around my Lenten practice. Rather than giving something up....I compose a list of good deeds. At least one per day, maybe more, depending on my schedule.
It goes something like this. Day 1. Smile & say "Hello" to every single person I see. Day 2. Take boxes of clothes & toys to shelters for women & children....Day 3, Make a meal for an elderly person and deliver it so I can visit with him/her......you get the picture. A little bit of imagination and I never run out of deeds! In fact, I have fun thinking what's next!
Yes, I know, I just HAVE to be different. It's my DNA....there's no changing me..........Love you girl and I'll take the chocolate! Hard to know we're nearing Easter.....wasn't it just Christmas, yesterday? Always so nice to hear from you. Paula/Effer

Reply
Maria link
3/1/2017 08:29:04 pm

I've seen evidence of your good deed philosophy - you are a true inspiration, dear Paula.

What a wonderful world it would be if everyone used their imaginations for good deeds. Love ya, mar

Reply
Martie link
3/1/2017 11:44:05 am

Dear Mar, I can confirm that all 19 of the things we should consider are true and worthy to know by heart.

Sarah Brightman is one of my favorite vocals.

Thank you so much for another most encouraging post.

Hugs,

Martie

Reply
Maria link
3/1/2017 08:30:37 pm

You are most welcome, dear Martie.

Like you, I adore the sounds of Sarah Brightman.

Have a peaceful night. Love you lots, mar

Reply
Mike
3/1/2017 01:05:05 pm

Hello mar - Here again you offer inspiration. What could be better. Let me think. I know, inspiration and candy. Now, I think I will make a list of good deeds.

Reply
Maria link
3/1/2017 08:31:52 pm

You are also a natural with the good deeds, dear Mike.

Thanks for joining me for some candy!

Reply
Ruby link
3/1/2017 02:52:00 pm

M&M, I can't think of a better treat! You have an impressive list of things to give up on this Ash Wednesday. Retirement and Worry seemed to speak to me. I will be attending a service at 6 PM today. I feel very fortunate, a tornado hit my town last night, killing one man and sending his wife to the hosp. I spent a good portion of the night in my basement. It hit our gas supply building, thus we have no heat, but they are working hard to get it repaired. It is not cold, so that's a good thing. I loved the video. Thanks for sharing and being Mar. Hugs.

Reply
Maria link
3/1/2017 08:36:47 pm

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your neighbors, dear Ruby - so sad that someone lost their life and reminds us how blessed we are.

Love you and be safe - thanks for taking the time to stop by too.

Reply
Sannel link
3/1/2017 02:59:57 pm

Dear Maria,

Love this valuable list of things to give up not just for Lent, but for the rest of your life, along with delicious chocolate and Sarah Brightman.
Thank you for an inspirational read this Ash Wednesday, dear friend.
Love you lots,
Sannel

Reply
Maria link
3/1/2017 08:38:22 pm

Thanks, sweet Sannel - so glad you found this post to your liking.

Love you and Freddie too, Maria

Reply
Peg link
3/7/2017 09:07:12 am

Sarah Brighton and this inspirational piece is a nice way to start the morning. I love the affirmations concerning fear and worry, two things that hold most of us back. "Fear not, for I am with you." Matthew 28:20. Another beautiful collection of thoughts.

Reply
Maria link
3/8/2017 08:39:14 pm

Glad you love Sarah as much as I do, dear Peg - as well as these words of wisdom.

Hope you are having a peaceful week. Love, Maria

Reply



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    Marcoujor

    Welcome to my desk...

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