Happy Shrove Tuesday

For those who don’t realize it, today is Shrove Tuesday (aka Pancake Tuesday). This day marks the start of Lent tomorrow, and in New Orleans, we also have Mardi Gras.

The word Shrove, is the past tense of the English verb shrive which means to obtain absolution for one’s sins by way of Confession and doing penance. Doesn’t sound like it is much to do with pancakes, now, does it? Evidently, we are supposed to make merry. Enjoying ourselves before we go to Lenten confessions is also expected. (I like the first part; the second is not as likely.

Financial Shrove Tuesday

NO! I am not saying you should go out and blow your finances up before you start your Lenten Financial Journey, far from it. You can have some fun, but all in moderation. If you plan to give up your daily Latte, have 1 last one on Tuesday and savour it. If you plan on brown bagging your lunch for Lent, then maybe a lunch out is OK; however, don’t splurge! If you plan on using cash, maybe it’s time to find a really good hiding spot for your credit cards. Alternatively, you should visit your bank and put them all away in your safety deposit box. If you are planning on reading some books on Personal Finance, consider getting them from the Library today.

Make sure you have some pancakes too.

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Random Acts of Kindness Week?

Forgot to mention that it is getting close to Random Acts of Kindness week. I would not kid about this topic. If you were thinking about doing a Random Act of Kindness, it's time to get cracking.

A few ideas:

• When in line at a drive-thru (preferably a coffee shop), offer to pay for the next car's coffee as well
• Clear your neighbour's driveway if it is covered in snow (especially if you have a snowblower).
• Give the toll booth attendant a $20 bill. Instruct her to use it to pay for as many cars that follow as possible.
• Call a local kids' sports team. Ask if they have a fund to help pay for less fortunate kids to play. Give them some money.

These are only a few trite examples; you know how you can help out, so do so. Anybody care to comment on what they've done so far this week?

For my Buddhist readers, a belated Happy Parinirvana Day. May we all reach that level of enlightenment in our lives (someday).