Easter is drawing near, which signals the end of lent. Lent is a 40-day period in the Christian calendar where people can take time to reflect and assume certain disciplines to prepare for Easter. This is a helpful time for many to get their spiritual and temporal lives in order. As the author, priest and monk Thomas Keating observed, lent is a “time to renew wherever we are in that process that I call the divine therapy. It's a time to look at both our instinctual needs as well as the dynamics of our unconscious are.” This seemingly antiquated idea is actually incredibly beneficial for all — regardless of belief — and deserves to be supported by the University.
It is a helpful practice for all, regardless of one’s beliefs, to set aside time to take stock of our lives. Sometimes it is just a few moments of peace amidst a hectic day, and sometimes it is a long period of self-reflection. College can be the most influential period of one’s life. Inevitably, beliefs will be challenged and crises of all kinds will occur. In this fast-paced and competitive environment, it is imperative that students deliberately find time to relax and examine their life.
The University should enable, if not encourage, students in this pursuit. Fortunately, the University has many spaces well suited for that. Locations like the Pavilion gardens provide a place to escape in nature. There are the Multicultural Student Center and Open Grounds that exist to encourage students to come, meet others and just be. Places off-Grounds like the Center for Christian Study also offer a welcoming and peaceful space for reflection. For those with a car, the opportunities are endless.
Intriguing speakers and events can also function as outlets for refreshing and relaxing. Listening to a stimulating talk on an interesting topic can broaden the mind and calm the soul. By continuing to bring fascinating speakers and performers, like 9th Wonder, the University helps spark some much needed introspection, bringing a little bit of Lent into the lives of students.
Finding the place for introspection is the easy part — but carving out time is far more difficult. The University has just as much responsibility to set aside time for students as they do to provide places. They can do this by reorganizing the school year to include more “reading days,” or three-day weekends. This would necessitate lengthening the school year by a few days, but it would nevertheless be worthwhile for the sake of students. The addition of even two or three more free days would provide a few much needed breathers in the lives of students.
Many students dedicate their time to service groups or religious organizations in their quest to live full, meaningful and well-examined lives. Madison House, the Minority Rights Coalition and Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship provide a forum for students in self-reflection in various ways. By funding these contracted independent organizations, the University supports the spirit of Lent.
These days, taking time to reflect and relax is not easy. However, if students do not inject some of the spirit of Lent into their lives now, they will miss some of the most important lessons of life. While students must take the lead in examining their own life choices, the University has a responsibility to help them find space and support them when they carve out time. The idea of Lent may seem archaic, but our world could use a little self-reflection right now, and we should do our best to make that as attainable as possible.
Connor Fitzpatrick is an Opinion viewpoint columnist for the Cavalier Daily. He may be reached at opinion@cavalierdaily.com.
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