DO instead of DON'T

Today is Ash Wednesday.

 I once read a story in The Catholic Digest about how a mother changed the viewpoint of her three young sons about Lent. She advised them to Do instead of Don't.

 This is actually good advise. Research has proven that stating an intended action in the positive brings about more desired results. Thing is, our minds seemed to be wired to ignore the "not" so it will remember to do what follows. So if you say "do not eat meat", the brain will focus only on "eat meat" and that will be the message it will send the rest of the body. Hence, if we see some well cooked steak, the brain will remind us that we will "eat meat".

 So, for Lent, here are a few suggestions of what you can DO.

• DO give your cigarette money to your local church or to a charity
• DO try some new fish or veggie recipes
• DO join a medical mission
• DO volunteer for a charity event
• DO visit the elderly or an orphanage
• DO skip the softdrinks or coffee or beer
• DO visit the Blessed Sacrament 
• DO pray the rosary daily
• DO reflect on the daily mass readings

These things are really simple and Doable, right?

Now if you find yourself wanting to continue these things even after Holy Week, by all means DO SO.