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Comparison is the thief of joy

I am by no means the most religious person you'll ever meet.  I cannot quote the Bible with you.  I was confirmed in the Catholic faith, married by a Lutheran minister, and seemingly lost my faith later down the road while I struggled with the loss of my cousin and my own health issues.  I started to find my way again when I started IVF.  I fell in love with the Pope's 5-finger prayer.  It calmed my nerves as I spent every quiet moment wondering if Charlotte was okay in there, if I would have a true success story, not wanting to jinx myself by being too happy.



Lent is now upon us and while I very much struggle with the concept of giving up meat on Ash Wednesday and Fridays during this season, I had a great conversation with my sister-in-law who pointed out that it's really more about the mindfulness.  That's a word I hear more and more in conversation lately and that was something that made sense to me.  Not that it made me want to give up meat or anything else.  Instead, it made me want to be more mindful.  More present.

So after seeing a Facebook friend's updated profile picture with a note that says "Gone for Lent," I started to wonder what would happen if I gave up Facebook for the season of Lent.  I deleted the app from all of my devices.  Admittedly, I am keeping the messenger app though because that's my main source of communication with some people.  What I'm hoping is that I can focus more on being present with Charlotte and Porch.  To stop mindlessly checking my feed to see what's going on... To stop feeling envious of the selective-posters who only show the good things going on.  I'm considering this a cleanse.  A chance to enjoy the good things happening in my own life.



xo
Mama Porch
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