General

Each year during Lent, I withdraw from all social media, including Feabie, Fantasy Feeder and DeviantArt. This year, Lent falls Feb.18 - April 2.

I will begin my social media fast early this year due to some complicated, neglected but necessary grieving. I am leaving here and going out into the world beginning Feb.1.

I am leaving behind the busy-ness of this place to take solace in something slower and more soulful. The idea is to make more room, more time and more energy available for new aspects of life rather than scrolling through social media.

I will read real books and hike through springtime hills. I will smell wildflowers and put my hands into soil to prepare the ground for tomatoes, peppers and eggplants.

I will continue to write weight gain and feedist erotica, and I would love to roleplay with anyone who wants to do so through old fashioned email.

If you wish to contact me, email me at
zonker25@gmail.com

“Why Not a Joyful Lent?”

Like me, many here are observing Christians, but we find the way the church and society approach Lent to be something anti-joy, anti-body, anti-fat, anti-eating, anti-weight gain.

But it doesn't need to be. As we prepare for Easter, this can still be a time of reflection and joy as well (in eating good delicious foods and pleasure in the consequent gaining)!

I hate that so many people view Lent as something in which you must deny yourself of something pleasurable to the body -- sex, food, smoking, drinking, drugging, etc.

But really, doesn't the Christian God call us to sacrifices which have more to do with our souls and hearts than our bodies.? I think the notion that we need deny our bodies pleasure is one reason so many turn from religion -- especially those religions which so focus upon the body rather than the soul!

It doesn't have to be that way, and really it isn't.

One approach to Lent is to make your sacrifices positive rather than negative -- promoting some soul-enhancing activity instead of denying some "sinful" activity! This could be as simple (or as complicated for some) as random acts of kindness, handing our $20 bills to the homeless, serving others in some reflective way, keeping a "blessing" journal of all your blessings, reflecting upon your personal gifts of grace, hugging your kids more, loving your loved ones more, mending fences with those who you have disagreed with.

How much more in the spirit of Christianity all those "sacrifices" would be than something as mindless and corporal as giving up chocolate or coffee!

I found the following poem/prayer to be most instructive on these notions. Let us fast against our hatred/prejudices, and let us feast upon our joys/loves/heart/soul! I don't know the author's name and have found it listed as "unknown".

"The Fast Life: True Lenten Discipline"

Fast from judging others;
Feast on Christ dwelling in them.
Fast from fear of illness;
Feast on the healing power of God.
Fast from words that pollute;
Feast on speech that purifies.
Fast from discontent;
Feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger;
Feast on patience.
Fast from pessimism;
Feast on hope.
Fast from negatives;
Feast on encouragement.
Fast from bitterness;
Feast on forgiveness.
Fast from self-concern;
Feast on compassion.
Fast from suspicion;
Feast on truth.
Fast from gossip;
Feast on purposeful silence.
Fast from problems that overwhelm;
Feast on prayer that sustains.
Fast from anxiety;
Feast on faith.

May all have a wonderful Lent! Give in to the joys of life! Don't give up your dark chocolate! Give up your dark moods/emotions/behaviors!

Have a great day, all, and keep living life to the fullest