Sacrifices and Self-Improvement

I use the Lenten season (the six weeks between Ash Wednesday and Easter) as a time of reflection and self improvement.  Every year I try to do two things: (1) practice some sort of sacrifice or method of self-discipline; and (2) find a way to educate myself in some spiritual way.  I try to get rid of something negative, and add something positive.  Theoretically, at the end of the six weeks, I will be a better person, and will continue those practices going forward.

In theory.

My past sacrifices have had varying levels of success.  Often I have given up chocolate.  While I was able to accomplish that most of the time, I would sometimes just substitute one thing for another: I would have vanilla ice cream instead of chocolate.  Although I could prove to myself that I could go without chocolate for six weeks, I didn’t accomplish much in terms of my overall diet.  What was the point of the sacrifice?

One year I gave up caffeine.  My children ordered that I never do that again.

If you know me personally, you know that over the past eighteen months or so I have managed to make some positive changes to my lifestyle.  I have lost a significant amount of weight, and as a result have been able to do more intense things physically.  One part has helped the other, and I am approaching the goals I have established for myself.  That has become part of my every day routine, so food sacrifices are no longer just a six week experiment.

So what, then, should I avoid for the next six weeks for my annual sacrifice?  My son and I have come up with the answer: we have both pledged not to curse.  It has some benefits: we will soon be working with youth baseball again, and in that role we need to make sure we always communicate in a positive way.  We have not decided on a punishment yet for violations (a tip jar that goes to the Boys and Girls Club?).  However, our plan is coming together.  I think it will be an interesting challenge.

I have always had two vocabularies.  The first one is the vocabulary I use professionally, when in court, meeting with clients, talking to other lawyers, attending church, or working with children.  I am capable of having an intelligent conversation with someone without being bleeped.
My second vocabulary comes out at other times.  Both of my grandfathers were salt of the earth union laborers, back when that kind of career existed.  Neither progressed beyond ninth grade or so.  The grandfather that lived eight blocks away was a longshoreman.  When he wasn’t at work, he was usually puttering in the shop he had in the garage.  We grandchildren would keep him company and help out as we were able.

It was clear early on that I had no aptitude for basic mechanics or carpentry.  In ninth grade, my wood shop projects would feature patches and odd shapes or angles.  Sometimes it seemed I was using more putty than wood.  I liked trying, but I just didn’t have the chops.  And the router scared me.  My teacher Mr. Fuhrer (yep, Fuhrer) was generous in assessing my work, and I completed the semester with all ten fingers, so it was a win.

Clearly I didn’t learn many skills in my grandfathers’ garages.  But I certainly did learn how to curse.  The basic short words and every combination of the words that existed.  Those that took the Creator’s name in vain and those that didn’t.  George Carlin had nothing on my grandfathers.  My father (who did not swear much until he retired) was not thrilled about my new vocabulary, and that was always impressed upon me in various ways when I got home from a visit to the grandparents.
So, I look forward to this challenge.  It has probably been 45 years since I have gone six weeks without swearing.  It has probably been that long since I have gone six days without swearing. 

How will I do?  We’ll find out.  If you see me and ask me how it is going, my choice of words in answering you will let you know right away.

Wish me luck.