My Lenten Thing-to-Give-Up

My Lenten practice involves self-denial. And while it is not terribly taxing (like fasting or giving up underwear or electricity), it has already been a challenge. I have decided to give up frivolous spending. 

I very much enjoy shopping, and if I'm completely honest, I am materialistic. Often my thoughts are consumed with what I can and might buy next, and I often find myself fabricating reasons to buy something new. My spending has not led to immense debt or personal/social/occupational trouble, but it is consuming enough that I feel it merits attention. And to counter the decrease in spending, I have decided to take opportunities to funnel my money towards more worthy ventures. 

My friend, Carlie, whom I met in Quito, Ecuador is traveling to Zambia for a mission trip; contributing to her venture is a far better use of my resources than going and buying some crap at Target.

A Bit about Parents

The existence/idea of parents has been on my mind lately. A friend of mine recently observed the 4th anniversary of her mom's passing; and unfortunately she is only one of many friends of mine who has lost a parent. I think that we expect to have lost our parents (or one of them) when we are in middle-age, but this early in life it just seems wrong.

In recent conversations with various friends and acquaintances, it has come to my attention that many of them are not close with their parents. Some of them even have bad relationships with them or no relationship at all. Even though such situations do not seem uncommon, they are beyond my frame of reference. I not only love my parents, but I genuinely like them. When I go back to Atlanta, I look forward to spending time with them. And they are more supportive of me than I deserve or could wish for.

I'm not sure why I felt the need to write this post; perhaps because these themes have so occupied my thoughts recently that "writing them down" seemed an appropriate response. In any case, I am grateful beyond measure for my dad and mom and the roles they play in my life.

A Reflection on Whitney

The current hysteria and obsessive coverage of Whitney Houston's tragic death is quite disturbing to me. We are gluttons for a train wreck, as evidenced by the unfortunate success of trashy "reality" TV shows, including Whitney's own show with Bobby Brown. And why is it that once a celebrity's life gives way to his/her addiction, record sales soar and people come out of the woodwork to declare their love for them? Where is all of that love and concern when the person in question is in the throws of gripping addiction and life-threatening mental illness?

Unfortunately, the relentless media coverage, TV specials, and articles written about Whitney Houston's decline will not have any lasting effect upon people's view of addiction and its severity- much like the death of a high schooler in a drunk driving incident will not keep his peers from engaging in the same risky behaviors. The issue at hand is one of a deeply-entrenched, culturally-constructed attitude regarding our own vulnerability- or rather, invincibility.

May we realize that we are all vulnerable.