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Friday, February 20, 2015

Lunch, Books, Journals and a Lenten Discipline Revealed

I didn't wake up today inspired to discover how I was going to observe Lent. Today just to be a normal work day that included a lunch break with a dear friend.

After a lunch at Simmzy's of great food and even better company, I enjoyed the shops of Long Beach's Belmont Shore, also known as 2nd Street.

My first stop was Apostrophe Books. I saw the fabulous display of journals as I walked in and made a mental note to return to them to make a selection because it had been quite a while since I had journaled. 

I strolled around the store and came to the wedding section. Usually I'd pass right by but this is a new era. You see, I got engaged this past Valentine's so I am looking at the world through a different set of lenses. 

The book, Running of the Bride by Rachel Eddey caught my eye as it wasn't the usual shmoopy, shmarmy, sickening wedding stuff that is out there. I grabbed one of the last 2 autographed copies and finished the tour of the store.

I returned to the journals section and made my pick, a Miro Canvas Series notebook. I know it's not the most delicate, pretty or fancy of journals, but it was perfect for my on-the-large-side handwriting style and it just felt right. 

Tonight, I was writing away in my new journal and it felt really good. I was on page 3 of 3 when it hit me. I can take on daily journal entries as my Lenten discipline!!! 

You see, I had been struggling as what to do to observe Lent. I have done the coffee & chocolate thing. I had considered trying out the Weight Watchers Simply Filling plan where you eat Power Foods (lean proteins, fruits, veg etc). It's very close to clean eating and it seemed like a good idea. The thing about good ideas is that if you don't plan/prepare for them, the idea will fail. The "prep work" for journaling is done. I have the journal. 

In the immortal words of Hannibal Smith, "I love it when a plan comes together" even if it happens in unexpected, mysterious ways.