When we think about fasting during the Lenten season most of us immediately go to fasting from food. Many great faith traditions fast as part of religious observance at various points in the calendar. In Catholicism, we have a long-standing tradition of fasting from eating meat on Fridays, and during Lent, denying ourselves of various foods, and sometimes treats.

I note that the increasingly, so-called diet and nutrition experts often extol the virtues of fasting for so many hours during the day, reducing one’s eating window, to ensure good gut health, to keep the kilos at bay, and to promote alertness and other things. I am not sure how effective this is, but is often related to ancient practices of fasting.

I have decided that as part of my Lenten observance this year, that I am going to attempt to fast from complaining and being so negative as opposed to fasting from food. Sometimes we find ourselves getting into a bit of a rut, and seeing the glass half empty, as opposed to half full! I caught myself being more negative than I would like recently, and have felt guilty that I had potentially spoilt an evening get-together with colleagues because I chose not to keep quiet, or see the possibilities, but rather the limitations in a particular scenario.  The next time we met, I offered an apology for “bringing the party down”.

It is easy to get into a pattern of complaining, and finding the shortcomings of a situation, an experience, or even our workplaces. Why don’t they just do better? Why do they always get this or that wrong? Why can’t they get this right? When we get into this pattern, life seems more of a trudge than it ought, and is even at times, exhausting. However, if we move out of this vicious circle, and instead jump into a virtuous circle by choosing to see the good, the positive, and the possibility of a situation, our whole mood lifts, and perhaps even our life outlook. I have decided I need to have a more positive approach during Lent, and practising this may just stick. As my mum famously said (and I’m sure some of yours might have as well): if you can’t say something nice, then say nothing at all. So, if it if difficult to find the good in a situation, just be silent. It might be prudent to offer a kind word, and look for the good.

There is evidence to suggest that when we choose to be more positive, to give compliments, and affirm others, there is a vicarious benefit for the person offering the affirmation. They also feel better for having done it. So it literally becomes a win-win.

Each evening, I am committing to finding five things for which I am grateful, or five positive things that have happened during that day. Then I can go to sleep, feeling better about others, myself, and even the world. I trust your Lenten observance similarly offers you opportunity for fasting in whatever fashion it works best for you and your life right now. I challenge you to find a compliment to give away each day.

Dr Craig Wattam
Principal