Ash Wednesday: A Reset for the Soul




Today is Ash Wednesday.


And no, it’s not just the day you see random people walking around with a smudge on their forehead and think, “Did they forget to wash their face?” 


That cross of ashes is intentional. It’s symbolic. It’s uncomfortable. And that’s the point.


It marks the beginning of Lent— 40 days of reflection, repentance, discipline, and spiritual recalibration leading up to Easter.


Lent isn't commanded in Scripture, but it also isn't rooted in pagan worship. Historically, it's a season Christians have used to fast, repent, and refocus their hearts on Jesus as Easter approaches. Like any tradition, Lent isn't about the practice itself. 

This is in BOLD for a reason!


Let’s break this down properly.


Why Ashes?


The ashes represent two things:


  1. Mortality – “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
  2. Repentance – A public declaration that we need God. Period.



The world is obsessed with flexing success, status, watches, cars, houses, likes, followers — Ash Wednesday humbles you instantly.


It whispers:

You are not invincible.

You are not eternal.

You are accountable.


And that hits differently.


The 40-Day Discipline


Lent lasts 40 days (excluding Sundays), symbolizing the 40 days Jesus Christ spent fasting in the wilderness.


Forty days of testing.

Forty days of temptation.

Forty days of refining.


Sound familiar?


Life tests us the same way. Business tests us. Relationships test us. Character gets tested daily.


Lent is not about “giving up chocolate” just to say you tried.

It’s about training your spirit to say no to impulses and yes to purpose.


It’s spiritual conditioning.

So What’s the Real Purpose?

Being honest?


Most people want resurrection without crucifixion.

Breakthrough without sacrifice.

Blessing without discipline.


Lent flips that mindset.


It forces you to slow down.

To examine your habits.

To confront your ego.

To clean house internally.


It’s less about what you give up and more about what you’re building inside.


Patience.

Self-control.

Humility.

Focus.

Forgiveness.


You don’t accidentally become stronger.

You train for it.


Lent is training season.


The Hard Truth


We live in a culture that avoids discomfort.

Lent leans into it.


Fasting.

Praying more intentionally.

Serving quietly.

Detaching from distractions.


It’s not punishment.

It’s preparation.


You don’t reset your body without discipline.

You don’t reset your finances without discipline.

You don’t reset your spirit without discipline either.


Ash Wednesday is basically heaven saying:

“Pause. Recalibrate. Realign.”


A Personal Challenge


This Lent, don’t just remove something.

Replace something.


Instead of:


  • Giving up food → Feed someone.
  • Giving up social media → Spend that time reading scripture or developing your mind.
  • Giving up bad habits → Build one powerful one.


Make it intentional.

Make it measurable.

Make it transformative.


Forty days from now, you should not be the same person.

Final Reminders


Ashes remind us that life is temporary.

Lent reminds us that growth is intentional.

Easter reminds us that restoration is possible.


So today, if you wear the ashes — wear them with purpose.

If you observe Lent — do it with depth.

If you’re reflecting — be honest.


This is not about religion.

It’s about alignment.


And alignment changes everything.

Want to learn more on how to discipline self during these trying times?

Check out the book The Discipline of Emotion on Amazon here.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Quiet Crisis No One Wants to Admit: What Massive Fee Hikes and Wage Changes Will Really Do to Cayman

Image
Cayman is standing on a knife’s edge right now, and most people don’t even realize it. Everyone heard about the massive fee hikes the government just announced — the ones that target non-Caymanians, employers, and key industries across the board. And yes, the minimum wage increase sounds great on paper. But when you zoom out and put all the pieces together, you see something terrifying: We’re about to break the very engine that keeps this country running. And when the engine goes, the entire vehicle — economy, businesses, Caymanian jobs, cost of living, everything — goes down with it. Let’s talk honestly about what’s coming. No sugar-coating. No politics. Just reality. 1. Businesses Are Already Walking on Thin Ice — These Hikes Push Them Off the Cliff The new fees aren’t small bumps. They are massive , sometimes jumping by 400–800% overnight: Driving licenses for non-Caymanians leaping from $75 to $600 . Business licenses for companies with non-Caymanian interests jumping fr...
Read more

Pot, Poker, and Priorities: When a Community Bets Against Its Own Future

Image
There’s a mind-boggling trend happening in some communities: a baffling choice to legalize marijuana and gambling while rejecting or indefinitely delaying infrastructure projects like cruise ship facilities that could bring sustainable, long-term economic growth. One has to pause and ask — where did this type of thought process even come from? How did the priorities get so inverted? Let’s call it what it is: a bet on instant gratification over generational progress. The Economics of Escapism Marijuana and gambling are often marketed as economic stimulants — easy tax revenue, job creation, tourism magnets. But these industries primarily cater to escapism . They thrive not on productivity but on indulgence. And while there may be short-term wins in licensing fees or increased consumer spending, they are also tied to social costs: addiction, crime, healthcare strain, and a distracted workforce. Now, compare that to a cruise facility — a gateway to tourism dollars, entrepreneurship, cu...
Read more

The first Handshake- Hee hee

Image
In my last post, I shared how powerful it feels to be recognized by someone when traveling — that moment when a familiar face turns a sea of strangers into a sense of belonging. It’s a reminder that we are all nobody until we are somebody to someone. But there’s another kind of recognition that carries just as much impact — meeting someone for the first time in person after years of only chatting online or connecting over video calls. In today’s world, so many of our professional relationships start digitally. We exchange messages on LinkedIn, collaborate on projects over Zoom, or brainstorm ideas through endless email threads. Trust, rapport, and even friendship are built in these virtual spaces long before we ever share the same room. And then one day, it happens. That handshake. That first face-to-face conversation with someone you’ve “known” for years. Suddenly, this person isn’t just a name in your inbox or a voice on a call — they’re real, present, and invested. This ...
Read more