Fasting - and other restrictions - and rewards

Today is a day of festivities in most Christian countries, marking the last day before the 40 day fasting period before Easter. In Germany, all children are dressed up in costumes, and in South-Western Germany, so are adults. In Finland, the tradition is to eat marzipan and whipped-cream-filled buns. It's party and stocking up time before the 40-day period of calm and fast - the latter part which most people don't do, instead moving from pre-fast to normality to Easter celebrations.

I have fasted for the past ten or so years, and last year blogged about again giving up coffee for 40 days, which is for the most difficult material thing to give up, because I am literally physically addicted. Although I only drink 2-3 espressos a day, I get horrible migraine-like headaches for the first days (and nights), and last year this didn't get much better, and after day 30, I for the first time didn't make it. I may be a bit of a softy this year, and give up alcohol this year instead. I don't drink a lot, but as I go out for dinners and drinks a fair share, and we also enjoy a great glass of wine if we make a good dinner, it's not a mere symbolic act (but unlike coffee, not a physically or mentally difficult one - hence I admit, it's not really a fast this year).

This year, though, to coincide with the fasting period, I have my hay fever period. So on top of giving up something symbolic, I am quite restricted in my movements. I try to take my medicines only for a few weeks, during the worst (birch pollen) time, so until then I try not to go out to much (I have another pollen allergy before birch), and have to restrict doing strenuous sport (thankfully not yoga or my new discovery - as always years and years later than everyone else - zumba).

Some years, for the 40-day fast, I have instead of giving something up tried to go a "good deed of the day". I'll try to keep up this tradition again - or at least complain less when I feel like people on all sides expect favors from me, but are giving little back. It's party my own fault, that in periods when I'm not time-strapped with work, I offer a lot of support. But with a big network, I have a fair share of take-up on these offers, including CV and application coaching, start up and freelance support, and child care help. I also invite many more people over for brunches, dinners etc, because I miss the social part of being at work - and at conferences and meetings. All of this is "work" in some sense as well, as it involves a certain amount of chores. The rewards - as for good deeds - are not material. Sometimes there are no rewards, other than the knowledge that I may have helped someone. It's a good - but not always easy - thing to do.