Hello everyone.
As many of you are no doubt aware, tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, and the start of the season of Lent for Catholics. Lent is a time of repentance, where we examine not only our own mortality but also our own sinfulness. Through atonement, meditation, contemplation, and prayer, we attempt to draw ourselves closer to God and re-evaluate what is most important in our lives.
A large part of Lent for Catholics is sacrifice. Catholics are encouraged to give up something they enjoy for 40 days. The purpose of the sacrifice is twofold - by consciously forcing yourself to make the sacrifice, you remind yourself that you are doing so because you love your God. Thus, the sacrifice is supposed to be something that matters - if it's easy, what's the point? In addition, the sacrifice is supposed to be something that by giving up you draw yourself closer to God. You're supposed to ask God for strength to help you out, and it often helps if you pray in lieu of doing whatever you're sacrificing.
Ordinarily, the sacrifice is supposed to be kept fairly private. You're not supposed to go around boasting about what you're doing or try to get people to pity you. I'm telling you this because it affects you.
I'm leaving the forums for 40 days.
Not just these forums, but all forums. Forums are a hugely addictive time-wasting activity for me right now - I often find myself browsing even when I've already read everything, just to kill time. It keeps me from getting things done that I want to get done. And if not here, I'll usually find some other way to kill time (usually Bemanistyle.) So in an attempt to better myself, get closer to God, et al., I'm leaving for 40 days. I'm hoping that this will also give me time to prioritize my life and re-evaluate what's important in my free time. I spend too many hours every day on forums. And this isn't because of duty to my position, this is due to me being too lethargic to get up and do stuff. I want that to change. I want to focus my life where it should be focused and pay less attention to the stuff that doesn't matter. Silly internet forums don't matter, in the bigger scheme of life. I look forward to this very necessary vacation.
To be honest, the strength to do this comes from faith and prayer. I love my God more than I love these forums. No matter what people may think about religion, I hope everyone can acknowledge and respect my feelings here.
Other mods, please keep the Garbage Bin under control, following the guidelines I've lain out. I've been defining my moderating position so clearly there in preparation for this, hoping that the rest of you will follow my lead.
When I return? Infiltration 2. Jay and I will probably be working on scripts to manage it in the meantime. TWG players, I promise I'll also do your banners between now and then and get Jay to upload them for me. I am always up for friendly AIM chats about how the game should be played!
I might do a radio show somewhere in the middle just for kicks. I'll get one of the staffers to announce it for me if I do.
I'm also on AIM if you need me, and if you ever feel like giving me a call, IM me for my number and I'll more than likely give it to you. (I don't really want to post it in public here and get people who hate me phonespamming me at late hours.)
Today (Fat Tuesday!) is my last day on the forums for a while. So, as of midnight tonight, I'm gone. Won't be reading, won't be posting. See you all March 27!
Your pal,
Chardish
As many of you are no doubt aware, tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, and the start of the season of Lent for Catholics. Lent is a time of repentance, where we examine not only our own mortality but also our own sinfulness. Through atonement, meditation, contemplation, and prayer, we attempt to draw ourselves closer to God and re-evaluate what is most important in our lives.
A large part of Lent for Catholics is sacrifice. Catholics are encouraged to give up something they enjoy for 40 days. The purpose of the sacrifice is twofold - by consciously forcing yourself to make the sacrifice, you remind yourself that you are doing so because you love your God. Thus, the sacrifice is supposed to be something that matters - if it's easy, what's the point? In addition, the sacrifice is supposed to be something that by giving up you draw yourself closer to God. You're supposed to ask God for strength to help you out, and it often helps if you pray in lieu of doing whatever you're sacrificing.
Ordinarily, the sacrifice is supposed to be kept fairly private. You're not supposed to go around boasting about what you're doing or try to get people to pity you. I'm telling you this because it affects you.
I'm leaving the forums for 40 days.
Not just these forums, but all forums. Forums are a hugely addictive time-wasting activity for me right now - I often find myself browsing even when I've already read everything, just to kill time. It keeps me from getting things done that I want to get done. And if not here, I'll usually find some other way to kill time (usually Bemanistyle.) So in an attempt to better myself, get closer to God, et al., I'm leaving for 40 days. I'm hoping that this will also give me time to prioritize my life and re-evaluate what's important in my free time. I spend too many hours every day on forums. And this isn't because of duty to my position, this is due to me being too lethargic to get up and do stuff. I want that to change. I want to focus my life where it should be focused and pay less attention to the stuff that doesn't matter. Silly internet forums don't matter, in the bigger scheme of life. I look forward to this very necessary vacation.
To be honest, the strength to do this comes from faith and prayer. I love my God more than I love these forums. No matter what people may think about religion, I hope everyone can acknowledge and respect my feelings here.
Other mods, please keep the Garbage Bin under control, following the guidelines I've lain out. I've been defining my moderating position so clearly there in preparation for this, hoping that the rest of you will follow my lead.
When I return? Infiltration 2. Jay and I will probably be working on scripts to manage it in the meantime. TWG players, I promise I'll also do your banners between now and then and get Jay to upload them for me. I am always up for friendly AIM chats about how the game should be played!
I might do a radio show somewhere in the middle just for kicks. I'll get one of the staffers to announce it for me if I do.
I'm also on AIM if you need me, and if you ever feel like giving me a call, IM me for my number and I'll more than likely give it to you. (I don't really want to post it in public here and get people who hate me phonespamming me at late hours.)
Today (Fat Tuesday!) is my last day on the forums for a while. So, as of midnight tonight, I'm gone. Won't be reading, won't be posting. See you all March 27!
Your pal,
Chardish
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