40 Days of Giving Up: Day Eleven - St Patrick's Day

Now before you jump to conclusions, no, I am not giving up on my personal heritage's high holy day.  I love St Patrick's Day.  This year, it been a little on the low key side.  Well, actually, I have't done anything in particular to observe the day other than think about it a lot and wear a spot of green.  

So I think what I have given up this St Patrick's Day during this particular Lenten exercise, it expectations.  Used to be I expected holidays like St Patrick's to have certain things done in certain ways.  Corned beef and cabbage, Irish music, some soda bread or Irish Cream.   Wearing green from head to toe and talking with an Irish lilt.  I love all that, but it is not happening this year for some reason.  Maybe I am getting old.  Maybe my prioirities have changed.  I am not sure.

What I have learned today is that by giving up expectations, it opens the door to new experiences.  It makes things less stressful.  Hard to be disappointed when you have no expectations.

Okay, I think that sounds a little more cynical than I intended.   I have had many, many wonderful St Pat's celebrations.  I was actually invited to what I am sure will be a very jolly celebration tonight.  But I am choosing to do something else for several reasons: it is in support of a good friend, it is something I truly enjoy and it is what I want to do.  Not to say I don't want to go to the jolly celebration.  I do.  But as oft happens in life, conflicts arise.  Choices must be made.  And expectations must be at least adjusted.


So, it is a good day to give up expectations.  I expect, however, that you will agree and support me in my non-expectant state.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day, by the way.

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