Simple living?
On New Year's day I wrote about themes, and mentioned that this year's theme is about simple living. Now to be held accountable to dear readers, I am documenting my process of “life simplification” here.
Goodbye, Pittsburgh
Some of you probably have known that I am in the process of moving from Pittsburgh, Pa., USA, to my hometown in Indonesia. So, between New Year's and Ash Wednesday, I have been mostly preoccupied with moving-related tasks such as packing, disposal, customs paperworks, settling down, etc.
I am adjusting well to life back here in my hometown and I am content with the quality of life I get here. My day-to-day expenses are way lower than before. Therefore, this has been a very positive change in the direction of life simplification.
Lent is here
Today is my first Ash Wednesday since joining the Catholic Church. Recognizing that I have to learn some skills and conquer my addictions and sloth in order to live clean and simple, I have decided to observe the following rules this Lent:
- fasting and abstinence on Ash Wednesday and on Fridays.
- abstinence on normal days (i.e. not a Sunday or a major feast)
- workout on Sundays, Annunciation, and St. Joseph's, with meat intake for gains
- severely cutting down on smoking
- reducing internet usage (especially things that don't bring me closer to God)
I am hoping that by applying these precepts, I can redirect the use of my time into things that actually matter in life:
- God,
- family and local communities,
- new practical skills to enable simple living,
instead of addictions and digital follies. In other words, based stuff instead of cringe stuff. Therefore dear readers, please pray for me that I may be able to pull through with the help of God's grace.