Today is the second official day of Lent. Lent is a season on the Christian calendar that celebrates the 40 days before Easter. Many Christian sects, including Roman and Orthodox Catholics, Lutherans, Presbyterians and Episcopalians take this time to renew themselves spiritually and prepare for Easter.

Lent started Wednesday, on what is known as Ash Wednesday. That’s why you might have seen people with a smudgy cross on their forehead. They didn’t just forget to wash their face; they’ve started celebrating Lent.

However, I’ve noticed a trend in recent years among some of my non-Christian friends of celebrating Lent. “Celebrated” might seem like the wrong word to some, because traditionally, someone gives something up during Lent. Past Lenten resolutions of mine have been candy, caffeine, after-school snacks, procrastinating and even my beloved Facebook and Twitter.