40/40 vision -- Author offers 40 ways to care, to share in Lent's 40 days

(Catholic Online) - The season of Lent brings to mind thoughts of reflection, fasting and "giving up."Lent can also be thought of as a wonder-full opportunity to take 40 days -- or what is left of them -- to make desired changes that may have been set aside due to the ultra-busy schedules that leave little free time.

In fact, lack of free time, seems to be the cause or excuse for not doing what might be needed to be done, or what one might want to do. The desire to spending more "quality" time with the family, visiting a sick friend or getting a bit of exercise if often blocked due to lack of this precious commodity called time. There never seems to be enough time. Lent is a time to reflect on their lives, their families and how their valuable time is spent. Chances are they will probably find an hour or a half hour that could have been spent in a more meaningful, productive and/or spiritual way. People can take a few minutes and calculate the amount of time spent watching television and/or the amount of time spent on the computer and decide whether or not there is an hour or even a half hour that could be spent doing something other than staring at a mechanical device, no matter how interactive our experience is. Parents can look at their children's schedules and make the same decision. If this short period of time can be found, it is a gift that can be shared with others, while enriching an individual's live. The idea of coaxing the whole family to find this extra time by curtailing television watching or instant messaging, may be met with great resistance and statements like: "You can't make me...." "I don't want to..." "Why do we have to..?" The answer is quite simple. This is the season of Lent and adults and parents can lead their families into new ways of spending time. Pulling the plug on television and web surfing for 40 days and 40 nights is unrealistic in today's society. But, one hour or one half hour shouldn't be too much to ask. As Catholics, we are blessed with 40 days and 40 nights to reflect on our lives and actively make changes to improve our lives and strengthen our faith. In his message to a March 1 Ash Wednesday audience at St. Peter's Square, Pope Benedict XVI said that Lent should be a time for deeper meditation on the word of God, which will lead to conversion and to concrete acts of charity (see the story on the Catholic Online site "Meditate on God's word, do charity during Lent, pope tells Catholics"). The "climate of Lent," he said, "is precisely the climate of love for our brothers and sisters" because it is a time for learning to see others with Christ's eyes. Listed below are 40 ways to care and share during the season of Lent: 1. Have special time to walk outdoors with your spouse and/or children and let them know how special they are. 2. Encourage your children to talk about a topic of their choice, and really listen to what they are saying. 3. Set time set aside for reading to children. 4. Make an effort to have family meals more regularly, even a fun meal like pizza. 5. Make a quick stop at a relative's house for an overdue visit. 6. Remember to say grace at mealtime. 7. Pray in the evening alone, as a couple and/or as a family. 8. Pray the rosary together. 9. Go to the library to find artwork by the masters that relates to the Lenten season. 10. Volunteer at a food shelf to help prepare a meal. 11. Sort through and give away clothes to a charity. 12. Offer some time to help out at the parish. 13. Read from a meditation book. 14. Make a visit to a nursing home. 15. Offer to have children's friend, especially one experiencing trouble in their life, over for a meal. 16. Call a friend you haven't talked to in some time. 17. Have family discussions about the season of Lent. 18. Share some your favorite music with the family and ask that they do the same, encouraging dialogue about music and creating a new way to spend time together. 19. Begin to plan for a garden, as an example of how we should nurture one another. 20. Prepare new recipes that are related to the season of Lent. 21. Plan an extra special Easter celebration. 22. Go to Mass on days other than on Saturday and Sunday. 23. Find time for play as a family, experiencing how positive it is share joy together. 24. Take time to listen and look at the natural wonders that God has created. 25. Go to confession. 26. Keep some fresh flowers or a flowering plant as a reminder of spring and the coming of Easter. 27. Sit and meditate in a prayerful way. 28. Do some arts and craft projects connected to Lent with young children. 29. Participate in Operation Rice Bowl. 30. Write an overdue thank you note to someone who has done a kindness. 31. Call a friend or relative that has recently experienced a loss. 32. Have a regular family reading hour. 33. Create a Lenten gratitude list as a family, adding one or more items each day. 34. Begin spring housecleaning or indoor projects in a present state of prayer and a joyful spirit. 35. Take time to review negative behaviors. 36. Consider ways to create more positive behaviors. 37. Give away smiles. 38. Try to avoid complaining and criticizing. 39. Offer to help with someone else's project. 40. Offer prayers of thanks in the morning and at the end of the day. If our efforts to make changes falter, we can remind ourselves that we are not perfect. We can also remember that we are given the gift starting the process over again and taking another opportunity to consciously make choices in line with the life we have been taught to live as Catholics. - - - Mary Carty is the editor of the recently launched Catholic Online Home and Family area.

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