1. Things You Can Do for Lent: 100+ Ideas
You could always give up something...
swearing
gossip
meat
irreverent
use
of
God’s
name
alcohol
computer
games
viewing
people
as
objects
sarcasm
using
the
bathroom
scale
stereotyping
television
candy
text
messaging
mocking
others
or cut back on...
cigarettes
sweets
caffeine
criticism
shopping
fast
food
or, do more...
smiling
sleeping
praying
saying
“Thank
you”
exercise
homework
carpooling
spiritual
reading
composting
Or you could...
•
talk
less
and
listen
more
Ÿ not
drive
so
close
to
the
car
in
front
of
yours
•
read
one
psalm
each
day
Ÿ try
to
see
the
best
in
others
•
not
waste
food
Ÿ
donate
what
you
don’t
need
•
not
waste
time
Ÿ
stay
informed
about
world
events
•
not
waste
your
brain
cells
Ÿ
expand
your
horizons
(lectures,
museums,
or
walking
tours)
•
attend
weekday
Mass
Ÿ
practice
random
(or
deliberate)
acts
of
kindness
•
encourage
someone
Ÿ
communicate
with
family
and
friends
Ÿ
be
punctual
Ÿ
send
postcards
to
friends
who
are
struggling
•
use
recycling
bins
Ÿ
read
one
Catholic
social
teaching
document
•
apologize
Ÿ
help
someone
with
homework
or
housework
•
live
more
simply
Ÿ
count
your
blessings
every
morning
or
night
•
accept
your
body
Ÿ
write
to
someone
who
is
elderly
•
forgive
someone
Ÿ
learn
to
manage
your
anger
•
use
your
turn
signal
Ÿ
try
to
understand
someone
else’s
point
of
view
•
be
honest
with
yourself
Ÿ
tell
people
how
much
they
mean
to
you
•
explore
another
culture
Ÿ
turn
down
your
music
(so
it
doesn’t
bother
others)
•
participate
in
a
retreat
Ÿ
strive
for
a
larger
perspective
•
prepare
healthy
meals
Ÿ
refrain
from
making
assumptions
about
others
•
get
organized
Ÿ
turn
off
lights
and
appliances
when
not
in
use
•
talk
to
God
Ÿ
listen
for
God’s
call
•
be
open
to
the
future
Ÿ
be
more
tolerant
of
others’
styles
•
write
letters
to
a
child
Ÿ
practice
chastity
•
wash
your
hands
Ÿ
practice
humility
•
practice
good
posture
Ÿ
participate
in
the
Stations
of
the
Cross
•
set
personal
goals
Ÿ
sing
(with
whatever
voice
God
gave
you)
at
Mass
•
think
before
you
speak
Ÿ
pay
your
fair
share
•
pray
the
rosary
Ÿ
do
your
fair
share
•
talk
to
someone
wise
Ÿ
start
a
prayer
journal
•
don’t
procrastinate
Ÿ
give
blood
•
recognize
your
gifts
Ÿ
meet
two
people
in
your
residence
hall
or
neighborhood
•
visit
the
sick
Ÿ
meet
two
new
people
at
church
•
tell
the
truth
Ÿ
sign
up
to
be
a
mentor,
tutor,
or
volunteer
•
dedicate
each
day
to
God
Ÿ
read
next
Sunday’s
scripture
and
discuss
it
with
a
friend
•
compliment
others
Ÿ
accept
compliments
graciously
•
pray
for
peace
Ÿ
challenge
racist
and
homophobic
comments
•
write
to
elected
officials
Ÿ
put
away
the
bathroom
scale
•
try
meditation
Ÿ
visit
someone
who
is
grieving
•
donate
to
charity
Ÿ
be
patient
with
others
•
prioritize
Ÿ
be
patient
with
yourself
•
ask
God
for
guidance
Ÿ
appreciate
God’s
creation
X A blessed Lent to you. X
R. E. Davidson, revised February 2015