Five Simple Suggestions for a Holy (and Wholly Productive) Lent

Lent is here, and if you have not already begun a Lenten Discipline, you might feel a little anxious.  The countdown to Easter has begun - what can be done to make the best use of this time of preparation?  Especially if you feel you are already behind in this effort!

Lent does not have to completely alter your normal schedule to be powerful and help you to feel changed in a really beneficial way.  Here are five things you can add to your life that will only take a few minutes, but may just alter your perspective. (And you do not need to add all five things - pick what works for you!)

1.  Do one nice thing each day.  This could mean offering a smile to someone you pass on the street, letting a car into traffic ahead of you, or paying for the coffee of the person behind you at the drive through. Savor a small moment of pleasure in offering this tiny gift.  
(This is good for your heart.)

2.  Make note of two things you are grateful for each day.  As you wake up in the morning, even before you get out of bed, think of a gratitude.  Repeat the process as you lay your head down on your pillow at night.  Starting and ending each day on a positive note is bound to improve your outlook.  
(This is good for your soul.)

3.  Read three pages of a book.  Okay - you might read a lot every day, but for some of us, making our way through that book might be taking far too long as we are dragged away to other things.  Make that time to read just three pages of whatever you want (this does not have to be a Lenten devotional!) and enjoy making progress.  
(This is good for your mind.)

4.  Drink four glasses of water each day.  Again, some of you are far ahead on this - others need a little reminder to stop, get up and move around, re-hydrate, stretch a little, and maybe take a moment to be grateful for being alive today.   (This is good for your body.)

5.  Take five minutes to talk to God - no interruptions allowed.  Walk away from the phone or computer (or the family) and just be quiet with God.  You might write out a note, or pray silently, or doodle as you think, or just stare into space.  Use this time for you and God to be together.  This is time well invested in your most important relationship.  
(This is good for your spirit.)

The days we count as we approach Easter will go by very quickly.  You owe it to yourself to make the most of them.  It doesn't require a special book, or a retreat - just you and God.  You have the time and the tools already, and these Lenten practices might even last beyond the forty days.