The season of Lent starts with the distribution of ashes on Ash Wednesday. It is a penitential day of fasting and remembering that our life here on earth is finite. This recognition should urge us to live differently and to renew, reflect, and repent during the Easter Season. We are given six weeks of preparation and then several months of the Easter Season to get things right.Ash Wednesday is not meant to put us in a morbid state of mind and heart. It’s quite the opposite. We are encouraged to clear our slate and reorganize our daily life spiritually so that more of our focus is on prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. That way, we can draw closer to Christ.In other words, Lent is mostly about deepening our Relationship with God. The season is often associated with fasting from food, swearing, lack of forgiveness, mocking, putting others down, watching too much TV or cutting down on our use of screens during the day. Whatever we choose to abstain from, it must be deeply entrenched in soul.Therefore, Lent is not merely about cultivating a self-improvement plan to strengthen us, healthier, thinner, or to give up alcohol or swear words. It's about recognizing our weaknesses as well as letting go of those things that draw our attention away from God. I prefer to focus on positive changes than negative ones. But that may just be a personal preference.Besides the focus on prayer, study, worship, and almsgiving, we should also help in the community or volunteer. This will help us realize how people are doing in our very community and neighborhood. That way, we can help them directly and make their lives better.Therefore, during Lent, we are encouraged to embark on a journey of self-discovery. We are encouraged to turn away from narrow interests and toward God’s promise of redemption through Jesus Christ.