Mardi Gras is our family’s most wonderful time of the year! We parade and feast and revel and costume. We enjoy every bit of the season, especially King Cake! We keep our Christmas tree up until January 6 and welcome King’s Day with our first King Cake of the season for breakfast.

Throughout the Carnival season, we try new and different King Cakes, and even make our own. Each cake is savored and appreciated because we know as soon as Fat Tuesday comes, Ash Wednesday is right behind. King Cake goes away as quickly as it came.

Today is the first day of Lent. I’m not Catholic, nor particularly religious. I believe in the balance of seasons. The hearty celebrating associated with the Carnival season is balanced by the reflection and focus of Lent. Yin and Yang. Out and in. Light and dark.

During this season, I like to focus on making myself and my home better. Sometimes I give something up, sometimes I add something. Together we work on bettering our family unit.

This year we are following the Whole 30 (or 40, as it were) and 40 Bags in 40 Days. These help me and my family focus on what is essential – for our bodies and our daily lives. Mardi Gras is so much about pleasure and indulgences, Lent is spent paring down and finding joy in the simple and basic.

I tell my husband that Lent is a sacrifice, not a punishment. I believe the difference to be a conscious decision to let go, as opposed to a painful consequence. Besides, sacrifice seems so much more noble and intentional, while punishment seems cruel and harsh.

So, this Lenten season, I’ll be reflecting on our experience in bringing balance to our lives. My purpose is to remember the good, work through the tough, and delight in the success. I hope it brings more meaning to my season.