Here it is, the first week of Advent, and I’m already contemplating what I want to do for Lent….

Well, since I’m vegan, that’s a given.
Last year I tried to “give up plastic”. The ironic thing about that was that I found myself using a lot of plastic. But I was using reusable plastic containers instead of plastic wrap, and using plastic bags (not grocery bags, but bags products are packaged in) as garbage bags. I don’t know if they’re recyclable, because they aren’t marked with the recycling logo. I also noticed how much plastic there is in my house — including my laundry baskets, hangers, etc. Even my boxed soap is in a plastic bag.

This year I might give up using a credit card as part of my attempt to give up “plastic”. I may also try to plan my food in advance, and buy 6 1/2 weeks worth before Lent starts (except for things like bread which wouldn’t last that long).

I think I’ll also try to go without shopping again. I wonder if I can go without snacks at work. And that won’t work when I have to shop for Easter goodies.

I’ll try to be more “green”. I may try to see how little garbage I can generate between recycling & composting. Maybe I’ll even get active with Freecycle, if I want to get rid of stuff. Maybe I’ll decide not to put out the garbage & recycling can, so I can see how much or little I actually accumulate in 6 1/2 weeks. I was inspired by the Nightline show in November about the lady who only generates one garbage can of trash in a year, and by the EnviroMom’s One Can A Month Challenge.

Alright, so what about a spiritual discipline? What would doing all that add to it?