Bettering myself

Morgan Rooney
MSMU Class of 2020

(4/2019) Each year when the Lenten season rolls around, I always struggle to figure out what differences to my life I should make. Honestly, usually I completely forget it’s nearly lent until Mardi Gras comes around the corner and I spend the rest of the night thinking of something I can give up or change that doesn’t require any preparation, as I can’t allow all the unhealthy food I had just spent my whole paycheck on go to waste.

As a child I was told (in my Sunday evening classes at Church) that lent doesn’t have to be about giving something up, though for many people, that is their choice to do so. Instead of giving up sweets, soda, or going completely vegetarian (as I know many people who have done so), I could choose to do something to add into my life that would also hold significance, such as praying the rosary each night, or attempting to build up my closeness with God.

Sometimes I can be repetitive with the things I give up or take on, although I don’t think there is anything wrong with that. If I feel like it is making me greater than I once was, it shouldn’t matter if I have done it previously. This year, I decided to do something similar to what I did two years ago. I gave up social media. Now, before someone checks my Instagram to make sure I’m not lying, I will say that I did not give it up in entirety, but I have significantly decreased my social media usage. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with going online every once in awhile and sharing a photo of an experience with relatives and friends, however, I do think there is so many better things to do than spending your free time on social media.

Out of everything God gave us in the world: all the people we could be spending time with, all the places we could be exploring, or all the things we could be learning about, I don’t think it should be staring into our phone or laptop. There are so many things we could be doing to better ourselves, yet so much of our time is wasted.

I would like to elaborate that I am grateful for my phone and laptop. I don’t think there is a single thing wrong with communication with friends, family, and other loved ones on a frequent basis. Our technology is also an instrument of learning. We can have a majority of the world’s information in just seconds with a quick search on google. I honestly think that in this day and age, this technology does more good than bad, in moderation of course. I wouldn’t give up my long-distance relationships for the world and I love the fact that I can learn at any time of the day, whatever I want. All that I’m saying is that we mustn’t forget about what’s right in front of us: a world that we are mean to navigate and people we are meant to spend time with and love.

When I think of lent, I think of trying to better myself into everything I am capable of; everything God made me capable of and wants me to become. With this time I am saving from social media and online streaming services, I have found time to exercise, spend time with close friends who put me in a happier place, and out in nature (especially since the weather is starting to get warmer as summer is getting closer).

Going on walks outside, walking through the Grotto of Lourdes, and even just walking around the Mount St. Mary’s campus really brings me into a mental state to open my eyes and look at all the beauty that surrounds me and reminds me that God created it all for us to thrive in. The perfection of it all entices me and having such an awareness for it makes me so appreciative of where I am, who I am, and the fact that I exist. This is my way of taking a step back and realizing what’s really important and it usually isn’t what’s on my phone.

The last thing I am trying to do to improve myself this season is strengthen my relationships with others. You cannot expect to have a support system if you do not support others in their challenges. Instead of expressing frustration or anger, I’ve been trying harder to be more patient with people, even if I am frustrated. I’ve learned that in most situations (of course not all), it isn’t worth it. Sometimes it’s better to just spend a moment by yourself instead of saying something you’ll regret.

Within improving my relationships with others, I’ve also been trying to reach out to more people more often who I don’t usually reach out to very frequently. This is family members, like aunts and uncles, grandparents, and even old friends. I won’t be in the situation forever where I will be living near and with my friends that I have in college, so I think it’s important to keep those relationships with other people, who I don’t see often, strong.

I would love to make these little changes to my life permanent, however, I think the season of lent is a great place to start. It gives me a reason to further myself, live to the fullest, and become the best possible version of myself that I can be, which is my goal as a Roman Catholic: to live my life in a way where I serve myself, and serve others, even in small ways like daily kindness regardless to if I’m having a good day or not. There is no reason for me to project negativity on other people.

Though it can be frustrating to limit myself on certain things each year, I come out of the season each Easter feeling like I’ve grown as a person and as a Catholic.

Read other articles by Morgan Rooney