Why Fast?
“[Fasting is] an apprenticeship in self-mastery…is a training in human freedom… [E]ither man governs his passions and finds peace, or he lets himself be dominated by them and becomes unhappy.”
– Catechism of the Catholic Church, #2339
Month: December 2012
Not a complete Grinch…
At the beginning of Advent I did a short post with a video of my favourite Advent hymn, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” (The Piano Guys were even good enough to release their rendition of that hymn today on YouTube).
Today I wanted to share one of my favourite non-religious Advent-ish songs. The song is by Karmin, the group which rose to fame on YouTube after releasing their own version of Chris Brown’s Look At Me Now. Here’s their newly-released song, “Sleigh Ride”:
I’ll admit I still find it very strange listening to songs which talk about snow while living in Southern California…
So what’s your favourite non-religious Advent/Christmas song?
Resolution Update #6
Yesterday I mentioned that I’m starting to think about my New Years Resolutions for 2013. However, 2012 isn’t over yet! Time for an update…
1. Read through the New Testament Twice
I am actually on the verge of pulling this one back from the jaws of failure! After doing very poorly on this resolution all year, in November I managed to work my way all the way through the New Testament. I’m now on my second round through. I’ve just finished the Gospels and should be done with the epistles by the end of this month. Boom!
2. More dancing
Not too bad. Not amazing, but not bad. I’m got in some more West Coast Swing, a little bit of Salsa and even the occasional bit of Country 😉
3. Be more gentle with people
I’ve had to have a few tough conversations in the last couple of months and I’m pretty pleased with the way I approached them. Learning 🙂
4. No sodas/fizzy drinks
Still going strong. Apart from the occasional desire to grab a coke, I don’t really miss them.
5. Get into the best shape of my life
I am pretty much on track fitness-wise – I’m just trying to drop the last 5lbs. I just have to stick with the nutrition plan for the rest of this month!
6. Complete reading list
In getting back on track with Resolution #1, I’ve fallen a bit behind here. I’m currently reading Pope Benedict’s Jesus of Nazareth and a book on the Second Vatican Council. I don’t think I’m going to be able to finish the remaining books by the end of the month 🙁
7. Keep proper track of finances
So-so. Meh.
8. Tick something off my TODO list
It’s more informal now, but still going well.
10. Fast on Wednesday and Friday
Still good.
11. Give up Facebook for 40 days
I gave up Facebook for Lent.
12. Make an effort to dress well for Mass
Still good, and I even wrote a blog entry about it.
Try something new!
It’s now December and time to start thinking about New Year Resolutions for 2013. Here’s a little bit of inspiration for you to try something new next year:
What new thing are you going to try in 2013? What new things do you think I should do?
Say Grace!
Don’t let saying grace be the Bane of your life…
Maybe
Just a quick micro-rant today concerning one of my pet hates…
You may think that “Maybe” is a fairly innocent word…
…but it’s not, not at all.
When someone sends you a Facebook invite, please don’t choose “Maybe”.
Check your calendar.
Make a decision.
Be decisive.
Thank you, that is all.
You may now begin playing your Advent music
Although you wouldn’t guess it from looking around, it’s not yet Christmas.
In fact, although we’ve been bombarded with Christmas stuff since the day after Thanksgiving, the Christmas season doesn’t begin for quite some time. However, since today we enter Advent, it’s now time to bring out the Advent (not Christmas!) music! Here’s my favourite Advent hymn, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”:
So, what’s your favourite Advent song?