February 14th was just an ordinary Wednesday for many, but for Christians, it is a holy holiday known as Ash Wednesday. The day marks the beginning of Lent, a religious period during which students, including sophomores, fast. Wyatt Dwyer People who continue to participate on holidays.
“Mainly, I just go to church every week and don’t eat meat on Fridays,” Dwyer said, “so I basically incorporate every part of the diet without protein.”
When it comes to eating habits, sudden changes in eating habits can have a huge impact on a person’s health, both physical and mental. Nevertheless, Dwyer breezees through her day without too much trouble and manages to find common ground.
“One deprivation doesn’t affect me that much,” Dwyer says. “I can get everything I need for one day without meat.”
This tradition does not only involve students, many adults also participate in the Christian holiday. Administrative Assistant Annette Hurd She also touched on how she’s taking part in the holiday, noting that beyond just not eating meat on Friday, she does something a little extra special.
“I don’t usually eat meat on Fridays, but Lent does require some abstinence,” Mrs Heard said, “but instead I try to be a better person.”
While some are just looking to get through the fasting period, many simply want to help out more. However, the fasting period is not without its benefits for new students. Alex Fumagalli He pointed out how his religious tradition actually contributed to his physical health.
“It’s a relief because I’ve been eating a lot of junk food lately,” Fumagalli said, “but now I’m trying new things, like fried fish.”
A big lesson from the Christian tradition, on the whole, is to be more mindful not just of what one eats but also of how one behaves, a virtue that Mrs. Smith, a financial associate, cites. Melissa Halloran During Lent, she makes sure to incorporate it into her daily activities.
“I’m definitely eating less and eating more meaningfully and prayerfully,” Halloran says, “and practicing compassionate behavior.”
But Lent has another important purpose: to remind participants how grateful they are to have such luxuries in life: to care not only for themselves, but for others as well.
“It was an eye-opener for me and for other people,” Dwyer said, “meaning I realized how blessed I am to not eat meat. [just] One day is enough [considering] The difficulties people go through.”
So, whether it is a loaf of bread or a piece of meat, at the end of the day, it is always important to count your blessings and always be thankful for what someone else has, not just your religious faith but also those who are less fortunate than you.
Similarly, the Islamic holiday of Ramadan also impacts eating habits, with fasting starting on March 10 this year and continuing until around April 9, the holiday of Eid al-Fitr. During this period, several students, such as senior students, MJ Saffi During the holy month, they fast from sunrise to sunset.
“So the fast lasts for a full month – anywhere from 20 to 30 days – but the duration can vary as it coincides with the lunar cycle,” Safi says. “You start the fast during the crescent moon and wait until the full moon to finish it.”
There are many different types of fasting, but going without food or water for a period of time affects different people in different ways. Abdullah Khalid People tend to notice that their energy is much lower than normal for a few days.
“Some days I feel tired,” Khalid says, “but it helps me develop self-discipline.”
In response to the participant’s concerns about fatigue in school life, the world language teacher Dr. Caitlin Crain On March 12, the school sent an email to teachers warning them about a student who seemed increasingly tired during class on some days.
“I just wanted people to understand where students are going and if they’re feeling a little tired or fatigued during class,” Crane said.
While fasting from sunrise to sunset is difficult for many, Safi said the positives outweigh the negatives, especially in terms of strengthening empathy for the poor, even if it is sometimes tough.
“For us, it’s a holy month where we ask God for forgiveness. It’s also an opportunity to learn about what the poor are going through,” Safi said. “It’s much easier to understand the experiences of people in need, and we even donate to charities to help them.”
