Ash Wednesday

I'm going to start off by saying that I am not religious. That doesn't mean that I don't believe in God, I just don't practice a religion. My mom has been trying to get our family to go to church for years, but you know how hard it is getting up on the weekends as a teenager, even if it is just for one hour once a week, but I'm trying to put the selfish days behind me.

Today I had a change of mind. I thought "Why not go to a service for Ash Wednesday for the experience of going to a church in a different country?" And let me tell ya, I am SO happy that I went.

Alex, Rachael, Joy, and I went to St. Martin's-in-the-Field in Tralfalgar Square and I honestly felt refreshed after going. I put my phone away (obviously, I'm not THAT attached to it), didn't think about it for an hour and a half, and just fully immersed myself into what Reverend Richard Carter was talking about.

I've never particularly enjoyed church and always thought that just because I don't go doesn't mean that I'm not a Christian. And it doesn't, but actually listening and understanding what he had to say (because let's face it, when I was younger I had NO idea what was going on) interested me in the biggest way possible.

A lot of people I hold close to my heart are religious and it was interesting to finally have a clear perceptive of where they are coming from. Now I'm not saying I never understood religion, I just never fully engrossed myself in a conversation when it came to religion, and this time I actually focused 100% and thought about what was being said.

For lent, I'd rather give to other people than give up something for myself. Which I guess can be perceived as selfish and unselfish at the same time. As discussed during the service, ideas for lent that he gave us were….

• Take off your shoes
• Admit a recent mistake
• Pocket an insult
• Behave as a child
• Step across a boundary
• Give up Grumbling
• Practice hospitality
• Do something for someone else
• Encourage other

While all of those are great, I decided that I am going to do something for someone else. About a week ago I bought a homeless woman a meal who was sitting outside Tesco Express. She was old and had a dog. I went into Boots and as I was staring at the food I had the urge to make a difference in someones day. I bought a water bottle, a sandwich, some chips, walked out to her, knelt down, and asked if she was hungry. Now I didn't do that to LOOK like a better person, I did that to FEEL like a better person.

So anyways, I decided to buy something for someone less fortunate and without a home every week while I am here in London, and even extend that to when I get back to North Philly. Whether it's a bottle of water, a piece of fruit, or a full on meal, I will be happy with myself and I hope they will appreciate it as well.

So, tonight was amazing. I felt good being in that church, and not that I felt like I was doing a good deed by being there, I just felt like everyone was in good spirits, which made me extremely happy and content. It made me want to do good for the world. I honestly can't explain it without me sounding crazy and expressing about religion for all to read kind of scares me because I feel as though I will say something wrong without me knowing so I am just going to end it here. But honestly, I had a great Ash Wednesday experience and I hope you all had the same.