Lent 2013

Today is the first day of Lent for 2013. If you are new to my blog, you might be surprised that Lent is my absolute favourite season of the year. Strange but true. Two years ago I wrote about my love for Lent. Recently I learned that the word Lent comes from the old English word lencten because the days begin to lengthen and we are graced with more light. 

In 2011 I wrote about my Lenten practices of giving up chocolate and of beginning a daily yoga practice of at least 15 minutes. My abstinence from chocolate only lasted 40 days and yes I did gratefully consume it on each of the celebration days. On the other hand, my daily yoga practice continues. Today is the 767th day in a row that I've practiced yoga. In 2011 I began with 15 minutes a day, in 2012 that stretched to a minimum of 20 minutes daily, and so far this year I've been practicing 30 minutes each day. Last year I gave up all sugar for Lent. 

To mark Lent 2013, I am going to draw (by hand) for at least 15 minutes a day. It won't be easy. As a teenager I drew constantly and loved it, but when I studied art in university it became stressful and exhausting. I suspect that a daily drawing practice may be at least as difficult as giving up chocolate and definitely more difficult than a daily yoga practice. I'm committed to making ugly, atrocious drawings and I'm curious to see what happens in the process.