Isn't it a bit early to be thinking about Lent?

asked my dear friend Sandra when I was moaning about trying to read this as research.

Yes it is. It's still very much Epiphany around here with the star still up on the church tower, baby Jesus still smiling in his crib and the gold, frankincense and myrrh still travelling round in the back of my car because I haven't put them back in the cupboard yet. 

But it will be Lent soon and the Church is preparing for it. Preparing well, preparing sensibly. Thinking of things congregations and individuals can do to prepare for Easter. And that IS all well and good.

It's just that, having such a large hammer which I carry around in my hand at all times, I can't help but see the nails, as in potential problems with some of the suggested activities. 

It IS a mere coincidence that Eating Disorders Awareness Week happens the week before Lent but I for one will be using it to prepare for a sensible, joyous Lent with due consideration for any who are vulnerable to the dangers of too much emphasis on self-discipline.