If I had a nickel for every time I’ve heard somebody say, “I’m giving up chocolate or sweets or soda for Lent,” I would be pretty well-off.

There’s nothing wrong with this per se, but I have to wonder if Lent is simply a replacement for New Year’s resolutions.

Lent originally was not about giving anything up. The main part of the tradition was abstaining from meat and festivities.

While many Catholics don’t eat meat on Friday, there are very few that would be able to say that they don’t go to parties or hang out with friends during Lent.

Now, I’m not a tyrant.  I’m not saying that students have to become recluses during Lent.  In the absence of this, students should try to avoid other temptations and instead grow closer to God.

The idea of giving something up for Lent was meant to bring one closer to God through self-denial.

While the self-denial part is still there, is giving up chocolate really strengthening your relationship with God?

When people tell me what they’ve given up, it almost always seems to be bettering themselves physically or mentally, not spiritually.

That being said, I don’t see this as a huge problem on the surface.  If you can be healthier by giving up one of your vices, that’s commendable.  However, if you want to stick with the true spirit of Lent, focus on God.

If you still want to give something up, like soda, make that about God.  Every time you are tempted to drink soda, say a prayer of thanks for the strength to resist.

Think for a moment about what Lent really means.  If you vow to pray or do a good deed every time you resist the urge to drink soda, you’re making self-denial about spirituality.

Another option is adding something to your life instead of taking something out.  If you don’t pray very often, try to pray at least once every day.  Even if it feels unnatural at first, the routine will start to grow on you.

If you pray regularly, many Churches offer Lenten devotional books for every day of Lent. If your Church doesn’t, there are countless devotionals online.  Read one every day to help you understand Lent and its true meaning.

Making Lent about God shouldn’t be difficult.  Even if you have been making it about yourself until now, just say a prayer and try to start over.

Martha Schick is a Managing Editor for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.