4B || Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013 || Central Michigan Life
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[VIBE] A d vi c e c o l u m n
Jessica Fecteau Staff Reporter
PhotoI llustration by Chuck Miller /Staff photographer
With Lent beginning earlier this month, students all around campus have given up a variety of things for a period of 40 weekdays that, in the Christian Church, is devoted to fasting, abstinence and penitence.
Christian students give up pleasures, sacrifice for Lenten season By Krysta Loftis Staff Reporter
Giving up something for Lent is an old Christian tradition, and many students find themselves up to the challenge. Since Ash Wednesday on Feb. 13, many Christian students have focused on selfexamination and strengthening their religious beliefs with periods of fasting and sacrificing something pleasurable for Lent until Easter on March 31. Central Michigan University students sacrificed some of the most common pleasures for Lent from candy to arguably more tempting items, such as alcohol. Taylor senior Kaitlyn McCombe attempts to give something up every year and is now eliminating meat from her diet for the first time. “I have always wanted to try giving up meat, but I have never actually done so,” McCombe said. “I figure Lent would be a good time to try because it
“This is the first time I am doing this because a friend challenged me to it, and I want to prove I can do it.” Keith Jones, Dearborn Heights seniors would be 40 days, and then if I have the willpower to go without it for that long, I can hopefully attempt to become a vegetarian.” McCombe explained that over the years, it has become harder to stay focused and not give in to temptations, but she is determined and giving it a definite try this year. Some students are breaking the social norms this year and getting creative with their sacrifices. Spring Lake junior Shelby Shafer is among many who partake in Lent every year. Now, she is walking away from Starbucks for 40 days to focus more on her religion. “I go to Starbucks at least three times a week,” Shafer said. “And giving that up, I will be able to use that
money to support my mission trip to Costa Rica.” Shafer explained it is sometimes a challenge to stay true to the Lent sacrifices. “It teaches you a lot about self-discipline, that’s for sure,” Shafer said. Dearborn Heights senior Keith Jones is giving up all alcohol for Lent because of a challenge set by a friend. “This is the first time I am doing this because a friend challenged me to it, and I want to prove I can do it,” Jones said. Jones is also using Lent as a way to get healthier and develop better habits. “I have never been the typical party guy, but I want to detox my body and feel healthier,” Jones said. studentlife@cm-life.com
What happens on spring break stays with you Depending on the state of your relationship, spring break is either going to make you or break you (up, of course). It’s the one time of the year when people go crazy, forget their morals and just have fun. Because what happens in (insert very warm location here), stays there and doesn’t haunt you when you return back to
Michigan, right? Ha, we can dream. If you’re embarking on a spring break trip in the next couple days and your relationship is on the fritz, there’s only thing to tell you: behave? I’m sure you’re not going to want to, but if you want your current relationship to last, you should listen. If you’re traveling to your spring break destination together, talk about the trip beforehand. Some people fantasize about this exotic trip for weeks and think about all of the things they want to do together with their partner. If your plan is to escape with your bros or girls for a couple days and only mingle with your partner when you feel like it, let that be known before the plane ride. Drama will just escalate if you both get there and, surprise, want to do different things. I know it is spring break, but don’t go overboard with the drinking. Couples are all different when it comes to drinking together. Some love each other that much more and some just begin to hate each other. Neither one is good. Too much lovin’ leads to babies, and too much hatred leads to — you guessed it — fight-
SEARCHING | continued from 1B Fowlerville junior Chelsea Shreve is also a part of the Dogma-Free Society. Shreve was raised in Livingston County, one of the most conservative counties in Michigan, and she said she was reluctant to be open about her nonreligious thoughts since she had no one to talk to. “I was raised Lutheran, but after some of my own exploring, I realized that I saw some inconsistency, and it didn’t make sense,” Shreve said. While some students are still searching for their beliefs, many have trouble expressing their doubt or uncertainty to religious families. Auburn Hills sophomore
Christopher Searle said he is neutral on religion, which isn’t necessarily easy to express around his grandmother, who used to be a nun. Searle said he was raised Catholic, but, over time, he realized he couldn’t commit to one religion because he believes that anything is possible. “I don’t want to shut out possible things that could be the truth,” Searle said. “I feel as if I don’t want to cancel things out. I have an agnostic feeling toward religion.” Charlotte senior Anna Sloan said she was never brought up in a religious setting, and the only real
ing. Know your drinking limits and stick to them. Just because it’s spring break, doesn’t mean you can escape the consequences. If you’re going on spring break apart from your partner, be prepared to enjoy some alone time and possibly some conflict. All couples are different, but jealousy is usually an issue, especially when you’re both surrounded by half-naked people who are drinking and looking to hook up. Don’t cheat on your partner. If you’re already thinking that cheating might be a possibility, break up now. Happy couples don’t even consider cheating. Spring break is not a hall pass, and things won’t just return to normal when you get back to school. And don’t think you can hide it. Odds are other people you know are with you, and if you won’t confess about it, they sure will. Now, if you’re single going on spring break, just have fun, really. You can do whatever you want, but do remember you still will have to pay the consequences if you get out of control. Remember: What happens on spring break, doesn’t stay on spring break. Especially herpes.
exploration she has had was in a religion course, which opened her eyes to all the world’s different religions. “It was interesting to learn about more than just Christianity, but I still have never been able to really wrap my head around religion,” Sloan said. “I’ve seen people who can spend their whole day praying, and I think that is really awesome, but just not for me. I think there are a lot more facts that support evolution-based creation.” Sloan said she isn’t ruling out the religion and isn’t opposed to a more in-depth development of her beliefs. “I feel like I’m still growing, and maybe when I’m older and my life has changed, I will find a religion that I can relate to,” she said. studentlife@cm-life.com