We are in the Season of Lent which begins on Ash Wednesday, this year it was February 14, yes, on Valentine’s Day, and will close on Easter Sunday. The Season is 40 days leading up to Easter which has been marked as a time of grieving, fasting, or sacrificing, leading up to the celebration of Easter Sunday.

Each year I recognize this time in some way. Over the past few years, though, I’ve taken to adding something meaningful during these 40 days rather than the typical “giving up” things such as chocolate, sugar, alcohol, Cokes or such vices.

The boys and I have a running group text – that can often be quite entertaining. If you have sons you likely get some of that humor as well. This year, on Ash Wednesday, the chatting surrounded the beginning of Lent and how each of us were recognizing it this time, or more specifically, what we were “giving up”.

I responded that I was actually going to “add” this year, rather than give anything up.

I think I sparked a little bit of curiosity because I immediately had questions such as, “Well, Mom, what might you be adding?”.

This year I am making sure I add two things to each day.

Each morning it begins the minute I open my eyes. Before I swing my legs over the side of the bed. Before I reach for my phone. Especially before I make my way downstairs for that first cup of coffee.

I name (outloud) five things I am grateful for. And yes, I say them outloud. I’m sure my pups Lu and Eli appreciate my morning Lent thanksgivings. Anyway, there is something about actually voicing what we are thankful for, speaking out loud those things, that adds a bit more juice than just allowing them to float through the brain and out. I admit, these things do not have to be profound. In the early morning hours, being thankful for a good night’s sleep, the dogs not stirring at night, a cozy and warm bed, safe and healthy children, even no spam calls to wake you up, are all “big” things and worth voicing out loud. Putting my feet on the floor, after acknowledging even the simplest of things as good, begins the day . . .

The second thing I’m adding during the 40 days of Lent is daily push-ups. That’s a pretty simple one, right? To make it even more simple, when I am teaching a fitness class I drag the class into my Lent promise and add those push-ups to part of our workout. Good stuff for all of us! Notice, I didn’t say I was going to do 25 or 50 push ups each day. I just say I’m doing push-ups. A bit of low hanging fruit, I know, but then in my brain I’m feeling like I’ve started with 15 and can add from there.

So, that’s it.

And I I got some “great ones Mom” and also a reminder that Herschel Walker does 1500 push ups a day.

So there’s that.

What about you? Adding, subtracting, giving up? How are you recognizing this Season?

It’s not too late to begin. If push ups are not for you, here are some simple, positive steps that can be added each day, that might even stick around as part of

your lifestyle. . . .

Easy Adds:

Water first thing in the morning (yes, before coffee!)

10-30 minute daily walk

Text/call a friend on your mind each day

5 minutes of quiet/prayer/meditation

Add a vegetable to at least 2 meals a day

Read something uplifting, new, thoughtful each day

20 jumping jacks a day (sounds silly, but jumping is SO good for us, and it makes you feel a bit of fun)

Sunscreen before you leave the house (I know it’s February, the dreariest month ever but it matters!)

Walk barefoot each day

End your shower with a burst of cold water (I’ve been doing this for years and I promise it’s a fabulous start to the day!)