For Lent...and beyond

[Patricia]

I too recognise the value of the discipline, and have one I made myself which I use, very moderately on the shoulders on Fridays during my prayer time, as a reminder of my sins. It doesn't hurt a great deal, but helps a great deal!

A little discomfort goes a long way and earns graces. If I could just deprive myself of certain foods or snacks that I love it would help me in my prayer life. But I'm making a little progress, and this after I joined this forum. One big grace after being on the Saintsforum is  I don't turn on the tv as before. I think good company rubs off on you. You good people and your prayers are a very positive influence in my life. Thank you!

[Shin]

Yes, everyone here has helped me a great deal.

Before, because I favored a very silent and reserved spirituality, I was very hesitant at the idea of the amount of talking I would have to do and socializing to maintain a forum, but it has benefited me greatly -- well, but this is just talking about benefits, when I love you all here, my little family. 

[Brigid]

Before, because I favored a very silent and reserved spirituality, I was very hesitant at the idea of the amount of talking I would have to do and socializing to maintain a forum, but it has benefited me greatly -- well, but this is just talking about benefits, when I love you all here, my little family.  

I felt just the same way at being a moderator here, but I thank you all so much and love each of you. Somehow, I don't feel as afraid of people as I did before.

As far as using the discipline, I had understood   that the Church is saying now that we shouldn't use the discipline unless our spiritual director, who knowing us well, would say it was okay for us. I haven't heard anything against it with your spiritual director's okay, though. This teaching has been given probably due the large number of dysfunctional people now. This said, more severe fasting (within your physician's limits, of course) and abstaining from various things are becoming much more advised by bishop's than was true the first 35 years after the last Council.

[Patricia]

I felt just the same way at being a moderator here, but I thank you all so much and love each of you. Somehow, I don't feel as afraid of people as I did before.

I feel the same way, Brigid. I was  always fearful of talking to people , but I don't feel that fear here. All of you are tolerant and forgiving. And I think I write better than I speak. If I were to actually meet you, you wouldn't get a peep out of me. Quite the introvert. So if I'm still around it is because I'm very comfortable with having you as friends.

[martin]

I second, third and fourth everything said.
We are all in the same boat so to speak, each of us hoping to get ourselves and our loved ones to heaven.
I too don’t care much for mingling outside my family and a couple of close friends.
I do love people but I fear at times of loosing my peace and the strain of avoiding bad conversation in large crowds can be stressful. For charity sake of course there are times where mingling is unavoidable but as a general rule and if given a choice I would be the hermit rather than the socialite.
In this forum I can have the best of both worlds ie the reflective and the social.
That of course is all due to you holy people here who I consider as family. brothers and sisters in Christ. 

[Brigid]

If I could just deprive myself of certain foods or snacks that I love it would help me in my prayer life.

Sure would help me! I gave those kinds of things up for every Lent a number of years ago, then thought that I was 'beyond' that. Well...... apparently not.