Cx2 on.. Self control

It's amazing how much more simple things are when you exercise a little bit of self control.

With the beginning of Lent, we are reminded of this very blatantly. While I am not highly involved in any organized religion, I can still appreciate some basic principles.

*Allow me to note* I am NOT trying to make light of what some consider a very important concept and holiday. I am just trying to bring some ideas to the masses.

So Lent for most people is about giving something up for 40 days, but I think a bigger lesson we can all (religious and not) is the idea of self control throughout the year, not just 40 days out of it.

I am giving up soda for the 40 days. It's about doing something that makes you feel better. Soda has no good reason and no nutritional value. And like in my previous post; its about small steps to better yourself. You can't overhaul your entire diet and life and expect to be able to maintain it. Old habits die hard.

This goes for food and diet as well as in relationships.

We're all guilty of being tempted in life. Sometimes it's important to give into temptation, live every day as your last and enjoy it all. But other times, we really have to think about our actions and be responsible. Think about how these actions might affect other people in our lives.

I am just as guilty (if not more so) than others of breaking this rule (a lot more than I care to admit) in my past. However, part of growing up is learning about yourself and the mistakes you've made when you were younger and how to better yourself because of them.

Guilty of getting caught up in the 'this is MY life' concept, and not thinking of others. As I'm sure I've mentioned before, it's OK to be selfish, but like everything else in life.. in MODERATION.

When you start understanding how important the other people in your life really are; you start making decisions for them as well as yourself. It makes some decisions easier; and some entirely more difficult.

A recent visit to college (aka a one night stand with college life) reminded me so much of how much I've grown and how far some people have to go with the idea of "self control".

I guess the point I'm trying to drive home here is: it's ok to deviate from the norm and have fun and go a little crazy sometimes.. but consider WHO else your decisions effect as well as ask yourself, "where is the limit?" and "when does it cross the line into 'too much'?"
Also, can you enjoy yourself with the limits in place? If you can't, maybe you need to step back and evaluate your values and whats actually important to you in your life.