It has been said

First we form habits, then they form us.

I read one expert who said it takes 21 days to form a new habit.  Another said it takes three months.  Whichever, I think it is easier to form a habit than it is to break one.  I moved the wastepaper basket in my office once and it took me months to stop throwing paper on the floor.  It took me many attempts to quit smoking but I finally did on January 1, 1994 for the last time.

Lent has historically been a time for trying to give up a habit.  The intent was not so much to get rid of the habit as it was to bring it to our consciousness.  Giving up makes us aware of our unconscious behaviors that usually go unnoticed.

But for many, Lent has become a time of forming a new habit.  Maybe you want to develop a new spiritual disciple.  Maybe it is spending more time with your children or your partner.  Maybe you want to read more and watch TV less.

I have a terrible time changing habits, breaking old or starting new.  It is one of my greatest frustrations with myself.  I have been saying for almost two years now that I want to learn to play golf.  My mother gave me the clubs and Carolyn Lautner gave me lessons and I went to the driving range a few times.  I have yet to actually play golf.

I keep saying I am going to exercise more.  It makes me feel better when I do but I still don’t.  I don’t have the time.  It is too dark when I get home.  I really need to finish this sermon.  I have a headache.  We all know it is BS.

Last year in Lent I tried to start a new habit of doing word puzzles.  It is supposed to keep the brain young.  Now I do two puzzles a day and it is a habit.  So this year I am going to work on that exercise thing.  I think I need a dog to force me to walk every day.  Jack thinks I just need to get off my…oh well.

Whether you take on something new or give up something old, Lent is a time for doing life differently.  What can you change for the 40 days of Lent?  What change would bring you closer to God?  Closer to your family?  What change would make you more loving or more loveable?  Think about it while I take a walk.