Lent and Goals

I am going to attempt to try to tie these two things together.  I have been reading Candace Cameron Bure's new book, "Reshaping It All".  She is still as sweet as she was on "Full House", but definitely has learned some valuable things along the way.  She is grounded and secure, and she is a Christian.
Last night "Z" told me she was giving up soda for Lent and asked me what I was giving up.  Honestly, I had not given it any/much thought.  Almost immediately, gluten popped into my head.  The whole idea of giving something up is to find that thing that is hard to give up and live without that thing from now until Easter weekend. (There are different schools of thought as to what day you can go back to enjoying the thing you gave up.) Lent represents the 40 days that Jesus spent in the desert preparing for his public ministry.
So, I have decided to give up gluten.  And here's the thing.  Gluten is in a ton of things besides bread and cereal. So there will be some new recipes to try and another book to purchase.  I have given up other things other years and this will require a little more effort.
Giving up something you enjoy on a daily basis isn't easy, but there is value in refocusing and challenging ourselves.  Giving anything up requires a goal.
Here is where I will try to tie these two things together.  (Taken from Candace's book.)
"A goal itself is not to be desired but rather that value is found in the effort".  And here are the 5 steps she puts out there to reach that goal.
1. Envision your goal.
2. Formulate a plan.
3.Consider the gain.
4.Count the cost.
5. Do the necessary work to achieve it.
She goes on to say, "Both planning our goals and the means of getting there gives us a greater chance at success than living impulsively would.  When things are organized and on schedule, the likelihood of success is increased.  Unexpected obstacles often stand in our way, but if we invest in foresight and consider the ways we will deal with each hurdle, we are leaning on wisdom rather than chance."
Things that are worthwhile are not easy, but taken one step at a time, one day at a time and keeping our focus on the goal will make it doable. So as I give something up for the next six weeks, I am planning for it in advance to make it more doable.
I have heard that some people add something into their lives for Lent.  That might also be an interesting goal.  A friend of mine studies lesser known books of the bible. Or maybe this next 6 weeks turns into a time of introspection and self discovery.
" Don't copy the behavior and customs of the world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.  Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect is will really is."  Romans 12:2