Spring Break
Editorial: Mardi Gras: Not just about beads
Issue date: 2/24/09 Section: Editorial/Opinion
02/24/09 -Break out the beads and king cakes, it's Fat Tuesday, or Mardi Gras to our French-speaking friends.
Around the world, people are living it up before the period of Lent begins. In New Orleans, not even an economic recession or post-Katrina conditions can halt massive parade floats or women willing to show their stuff to garner beaded necklaces.
So what's all this Mardi Gras business really about?
Well, observed by different branches of Christianity, Lent is a time of self-deprivation that represents time Jesus spent in the desert prior to his crucifixion.
For those of you who grew up in Catholic families, or for those of you who did not, but happened to see "40 Days and 40 Nights," you might know that Lent is all about self-deprivation. Some religious customs involve giving something up or fasting.
In fact, a lot of religious denominations employ some type of fasting throughout the year, like Hinduism, Judaism and Buddhism, just to name a few.
But the thing is, you don't have to be religious to celebrate Mardi Gras. But fasting or giving something up during Lent is an interesting way to get back in touch with yourself, or possibly realign your priorities, religious or not.
You don't have to stop doing the deed for a couple of months like Josh Hartnett's character did, but just a small adjustment might lead to heightened spiritual awareness.
For college students, religious or otherwise, giving something up can be a good way to get back in touch with reality.
So many of us are so caught up in our iPods, our laptops, cell phones, etc. So maybe turn off MTV for a few days and delve into a good book. Perhaps take a Facebook hiatus and connect with people the old fashioned way, face-to-face.
I know ... easier said than done.
But it's good to rediscover the simple things sometimes.
Aside from that, the International House of Pancakes is celebrating a similar holiday tomorrow, National Pancake Day. According to its Web site, centuries ago the English were supposed to abstain from eating eggs and dairy products during this period.
To rid themselves of temptation, they used all of those ingredients to make pancakes on the day before Lent began.
Tomorrow, the International House of Pancakes will be serving free short stacks from the wee hours of the morning (7 a.m. - a.k.a. prime time to beat the crowds) until 10 p.m. In return, they ask for a donation to the Children's Miracle Network, or another local charity. IHOP is hoping to raise $1 million this year.
The closest franchise to URI is in Middletown, about 12 miles from campus, so whether you're celebrating Mardi Gras or National Pancake Day, it's never a waste when free food is involved.
Around the world, people are living it up before the period of Lent begins. In New Orleans, not even an economic recession or post-Katrina conditions can halt massive parade floats or women willing to show their stuff to garner beaded necklaces.
So what's all this Mardi Gras business really about?
Well, observed by different branches of Christianity, Lent is a time of self-deprivation that represents time Jesus spent in the desert prior to his crucifixion.
For those of you who grew up in Catholic families, or for those of you who did not, but happened to see "40 Days and 40 Nights," you might know that Lent is all about self-deprivation. Some religious customs involve giving something up or fasting.
In fact, a lot of religious denominations employ some type of fasting throughout the year, like Hinduism, Judaism and Buddhism, just to name a few.
But the thing is, you don't have to be religious to celebrate Mardi Gras. But fasting or giving something up during Lent is an interesting way to get back in touch with yourself, or possibly realign your priorities, religious or not.
You don't have to stop doing the deed for a couple of months like Josh Hartnett's character did, but just a small adjustment might lead to heightened spiritual awareness.
For college students, religious or otherwise, giving something up can be a good way to get back in touch with reality.
So many of us are so caught up in our iPods, our laptops, cell phones, etc. So maybe turn off MTV for a few days and delve into a good book. Perhaps take a Facebook hiatus and connect with people the old fashioned way, face-to-face.
I know ... easier said than done.
But it's good to rediscover the simple things sometimes.
Aside from that, the International House of Pancakes is celebrating a similar holiday tomorrow, National Pancake Day. According to its Web site, centuries ago the English were supposed to abstain from eating eggs and dairy products during this period.
To rid themselves of temptation, they used all of those ingredients to make pancakes on the day before Lent began.
Tomorrow, the International House of Pancakes will be serving free short stacks from the wee hours of the morning (7 a.m. - a.k.a. prime time to beat the crowds) until 10 p.m. In return, they ask for a donation to the Children's Miracle Network, or another local charity. IHOP is hoping to raise $1 million this year.
The closest franchise to URI is in Middletown, about 12 miles from campus, so whether you're celebrating Mardi Gras or National Pancake Day, it's never a waste when free food is involved.
