Tomorrow is a BIG day for me

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday. Which means the Lenten season is once again upon us. It's been a few years since I honoured the ritual of "fasting", but I decided that it would be good for me to giver' a go. After careful thought and consideration I decided that I was addicted to chocolate and other sweets (when you NEED at least one a day - it's starting to look a little like you may be needing ADDAC), and that I should give them up. It's gonna be tough. I'm actually not totally convinced that I have the willpower to do it. But then... I also thought about giving up alcohol in addition to the sweets... and I decided that was cRazY talk. I couldn't do both. It's would be impossible. I need my sweet sweet liquor.

Last night, as I was reflecting on my day and how much I hate peaceniks, I thought of something else that I should give up. This is going to be the toughie. I am giving up gossip.

I shall attempt to define this thing that I am giving up, so that I understand my boundaries. (Mostly I just want to be able to say to people "sorry - I can't have this conversation with you, I gave up gossip for Lent" And if they persist in the "gossip" I shall say "Do you have a Problem? I'm doing this for JESUS")

So - here are the many definitions of the word:

gos·sip ( P ) Pronunciation Key (gsp)n.
1. Rumor or talk of a personal, sensational, or intimate nature.
2. A person who habitually spreads intimate or private rumors or facts. Yes - this is the stuff.
3. Trivial, chatty talk or writing. Ummmm... I have no intention of giving up "Trivial or chatty Talk"
4. A close friend or companion. Again - I am not giving up my close friends or companions.
5. Chiefly British. A godparent. If I had Godparents I wouldn't want to give them up - but I haven't seen them in over 20 years. I am willing to give them up for Jesus.

[Middle English godsib, gossip, godparent, from Old English godsibb : god, god; see god + sibb, kinsman; see s(w)e- in Indo-European Roots.] For the life of me I can't figure out how a word that originally meant "To see God" has become so bad.
gossip·er n. gossip·ry n. gossip·y adj.
Synonyms: gossip, blab, tattle. These verbs mean to engage in or communicate idle, indiscreet talk: gossiping about the neighbors; can't keep a secrethe always blabs; is disliked for tattling on mischief-makers.

gossip
n 1: light informal conversation for social occasions [syn: chitchat, small talk, gab, gabfest, tittle-tattle, chin-wag, chin-wagging, causerie] 2: a report (often malicious) about the behavior of other people; "the divorce caused much gossip" [syn: comment, scuttlebutt] 3: a person given to gossiping and divulging personal information about others [syn: gossiper, gossipmonger, rumormonger, rumourmonger, newsmonger] v 1: wag one's tongue; speak about others and reveal secrets or intimacies; "She won't dish the dirt" [syn: dish the dirt] 2: talk socially without exchanging too much information; "the men were sitting in the cafe and shooting the breeze" [syn: chew the fat, shoot the breeze, chat, confabulate, confab, chitchat, chatter, chaffer, natter, jaw, claver, visit] I shall attempt to give up everything highlighted in green as well.

So as a summary, I will be giving up spreading intimate or private rumours or facts and my Godparents.

As my friends I would encourage you to point out when you feel that I have stepped over my "Lenten Boundaries". I can't promise that I won't then slander you behind your back (note that slander and gossip are not equivalent), but I will respect you for standing up for Jesus.