Tag: Lent

Embrace Simplicity During Lent and Ramadan

Posted on by Jordank

The season of repentance arrives for approximately 3 billion people this week. Christians and Muslims throughout the world will begin observing the traditions of Lent and Ramadan Feb. 17 and Feb. 18 by engaging in fasting, prayer and abstinence.

If you’ve ever wondered why the observances are so similar, it’s because the two religions trace their origins to the mystical experiences and religious quests of Abraham. Lent commemorates the 40 days the Hebrews spent in the desert; the month-long Ramadan recalls the moment God revealed the Koran to the prophet Mohammed and follows the broader theological principle of advancing toward holiness on a pilgrimage.

Whatever religion you practice, the season invites everyone to embrace #simplicity. Even if you aren’t observant of a major religion, the monthlong or 40-day timeline can support you in your efforts to be more sensible, healthy, penitent and/or #organized.

Lenten sacrifice calls for prayer, fasting and almsgiving. You may be familiar with the season’s abstinence from eating meat (particularly on Fridays) or individual choices such as abstinence from temptations such as chocolate, alcohol, television or gossip. Almsgiving includes #charity in many forms, including #donations of money, services and goods.

Similarly, Ramadan suggests that Muslims strengthen their connections with Allah by practicing selflessness. “Through acts of charity, Muslims express gratitude for their blessings and demonstrate compassion towards others, embodying the values of empathy and kindness,” says Al-Ayn Social Care Foundation.

For Christians, Muslims and anyone else who feels beset by #clutter, we offer a simple strategy to add to the calendar: #Clean out a #closet, drawer or other #household space and #donate any #extra #stuff to  ClothingDonations.org. You can feel good that the simple act of almsgiving will go toward programs that help #veterans in need.

Whatever else you choose to do during the season of Lent and Ramadan, make a #donation! Whether or not it is part of your religious observance, it will help you embrace a more ascetic and sustainable existence.

The Meaning Behind Mardi Gras

Posted on by Jordank

Mardi Gras — a.k.a. Fat Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday — is the final day of the Carnival festival season. In the Christian tradition, Ash Wednesday is the start of Lent, a penitential season of abstinence and sacrifice.

Mardi Gras is the “last hurrah,” in effect, before 40 days of abstinence from foods such as meat, eggs, dairy and alcoholic beverages. Most people are familiar with the local fish fry on Fridays, held to serve Catholic families and others abstaining from meat.

Observant Christians also often pick an indulgence of their own to give up. Similar to a New Year’s resolution, such personal challenges might mean eschewing alcohol or sweets, or trying to break a bad habit such as smoking or gossiping.

Whatever your faith, the Organizing Blog suggests that you spend the season abstaining from #clutter. It will be a test of your will, to be sure, but you will be better off and maybe even a bit more righteous if you can do it. Here’s how:

Cut the clutter. Over the next 40 days, dedicate a set amount of time to #decluttering and #organizing a space in your home. As little as 10 minutes per day spent rearranging a drawer or shelf can add up to real improvements over time.

Avoid spending. If you want a real challenge, simultaneously abstain from buying anything new; any attempt to #organize will be easier if you don’t add to your #stuff. If something urgently needs replacement, vow to eliminate twice as many like items as you bring in.

Exercise charity. Set aside any castoff clothing and household items that might have some useful life left in them and contact ClothingDonations.org for a #free #donation #pickup. Quality, lightly used goods will be resold to benefit programs that help the nation’s #veterans.

Today, celebrate! Have a paczki, a big bowl of gumbo or an adult beverage. Tomorrow, make good on your vow get rid of #clutter and get #orgnaized. By the time Easter rolls around, you and your home will be unburdened by excess #stuff.

Giving Up Clutter for Lent and Life

Posted on by Jordank

Lent is a Christian observance commemorating the 40 days that Jesus Christ spent fasting in the desert before beginning his public ministry. Those who observe the period typically mark it with prayer, fasting and personal sacrifice.

A Lenten sacrifice is a spiritually motivated, voluntary renunciation of a pleasure or luxury. Common modern-day Lenten sacrifices include abstaining from meat-eating, chocolate, sweets and alcohol. Some people attempt to eschew “sinful” behaviors such as profanity.

Not every faith observes Lent, of course, but each of the major religions has a holiday observed through fasting and sacrifice. Regardless of faith or level of observance, the Organizing Blog suggests that there is something you can give up today for the betterment of everyone: #clutter.

#Decluttering can help you lead a more spiritual existence. When you don’t have to tend to all of the #stuff you’ve collected over the years, you’ll have more time and energy to focus on what really matters: health, family and well-being.

Establish a simple Lenten goal: “I’ll spend one hour per day #sorting through my stuff.” “I’ll #declutter one #closet per week.” “I’ll #clean and #organize my kitchen and bathrooms by Easter.” “I’ll fill X number of boxes and bags with stuff I no longer need or want.”

What would Jesus do? Granted, we live in different times, but he almost certainly would not let a bunch of clothing that doesn’t fit, disused household appliances and mass-market tchotchkes pile up and bog him down. He traveled light.

There’s another aspect of Lent and other seasonal observances demand: almsgiving. It’s charitable giving that puts the needs of others ahead of your own — sharing your time, money and material possessions with others, and especially those less fortunate.

ClothingDonations.org can help with this. Once you’ve #decluttered and gathered up the things you don’t want, contact us for a #free #donation #pickup. We’ll take those lightly used goods and resell them to #help the nation’s #veterans.

Once you see the results from your Lenten sacrifice, decluttering could become a lifelong habit. Have a safe and happy Lent!