This year, as a Lenten practice, “add” something new, rather than giving up something. And as you do these things, take a moment to thank God for giving you this opportunity, and ask God what God wants you to learn from it. God bless your Lenten journey!
- Compliment a stranger
- Adopt a pet
- Drink more water
- Read a book by a person of color or a young person
- Read a classic novel you’ve always wanted to read
- Call a high school friend
- Walk a mile every day (or a block or 2 miles, whatever would be challenging)
- Pray a new way – sit in a different place, walk, try silent meditation
- Forgive someone
- Sing in the car
- Clean out a closet
- Stop gossiping
- Throw out 40 unused items in 40 days
- Donate. Clothes, money, volunteer hours, an old car
- Write a short story
- Write a letter to a dead parent or friend
- Write a love letter to yourself
- Meet a neighbor
- Invite someone to Easter service
- Journal every day for 40 days
- Think of 3 things you are grateful for every day
- Talk less, smile more (From the musical, “Hamilton”!)
- Thank your mailman or delivery people
- Eat a fruit or vegetable at every meal
- Read poetry
- Go to a museum
- Take the train somewhere
- Watch less television
- Take a boat ride
- Buy new socks for yourself. Buy a pair for someone else while you’re at it
- Write thank you notes every Sunday. Or every day.
- Try a daily devotional on your phone, online or by book
- Pay cash for everything for a day or a week or a month
- Give up Starbucks for a month and donate that money to a charity you admire
- Clean out your refrigerator
- Clean out your garage. Or pay a nice kid to help you clean out your garage.
- Read a biography on someone you admire. Or someone you’ve never understood
- Read an entire book of the Bible, maybe in one sitting
- Create something worthwhile. This might be as simple as an omelet.
- Take deep breaths at least once an hour