I am making a deliberate attempt to cut out some of life's luxuries and perhaps get in tune with more solemn thoughts. I'm making the move public as a hostage to my own will power and keep myself in line. Don't get me wrong. I'm not going to starve. But I want to see what its like to share at least the modest privations that the truly devout offer up at this time of year.
All faiths have periods of abstinence.
In Islam it's Ramadan, when there is no eating between sunrise and sunset. The idea is to strengthen the spiritual life by weakening the attractions of sensual pleasures. But perhaps in these more secular times, it also feels a little like a diet.