The Lenten season is in full swing, and by now, those of us who follow through with the tradition of giving something up for 40 days have gotten at least a little taste of what self-denial feels like. As someone who still buys into old conventions here and there, I’ve always tried to make a Lenten promise, and, even if I slip up once or twice, I try to see it through.

At the same time, though, I’m a little jaded. The purposes of giving something up for Lent are personal growth from sacrifice and getting back in touch with your religion. However, whenever the topic comes up, the conversation usually degrades to me making a vague attempt at defending a concept that some view as antiquated and meaningless. Now, instead of discussing whether we should give up candy or potato chips, suddenly we’re debating why we even bother doing anything at all.

I’ve had the talk enough times now that I’ve worked out some canned responses I could probably recite without thinking. Frankly, though, after so many years of listening to myself talk, I’m starting to think twice about whether I actually mean what I’m saying. My soapbox speech harps on how Lenten promises are supposed to make us into slightly better people than we were before: more spiritual, more humble – all that good stuff. Needless to say (and rest assured I include myself in this group), I don’t think most of us are doing it right. Forty days without soda might have made me a little healthier, but more spiritual? Probably not.

So if I can admit something’s awry, why do I stick with it? Part of it is probably just that I’m stubborn, but also I think the fundamental concept of self-improvement is an honorable one, even if we keep messing it up. Self-sacrifice definitely has the potential to be meaningful, but for busy, book-laden college students, abstaining or fasting might be oddly reminiscent of their regular eating routine anyway. Perhaps it’s time for a new twist on the same old story.

When they work, Lenten promises serve a dual purpose: They teach discipline, and they also weed out some pesky vices along the way. These are all great things, and if the current plan works for you, by all means don’t stop now. For the rest of us, though, an updated Lent might be necessary to take from the season those life lessons for which it was originally intended. The season encourages us to reflect on our own lives, which is always a good thing, but the priorities of our modern youthful generation are shifting from the individual to the global.

For those of us who don’t feel like we’re getting too much out of Lent as it is, let’s keep the good idea behind it and just modify its manifestation a little. Instead of (or maybe in addition to) taking something out of your daily routine, why not add something else?

Make your Lenten promise into some concrete ways to be kinder, or more generous. Promise to incorporate some extra volunteering into your 40 days. Anyone who’s ever done service knows how it can change a person for the better – plus you’ll be helping other people in the process. You’ve still got a dual purpose, you’re still bettering yourself, and, if serving your fellow man isn’t a great way to live your religion, I don’t know what is.

The Lenten promise definitely still has a place in today’s world and today’s religion, but just like any long-standing institution there’s always a slight need for revamping as times change. Lent is an important period of the year for those of us who observe it, and we should do whatever we can to make it as meaningful as possible.

Laura Caputo is a senior physiology and neurobiology and Spanish major. She can be reached at elsie@umd.edu.