For the final week of Lent, I did not eat for seven days.

I did this this for three reasons: to challenge my willpower, to cleanse my body and to touch the work of God.

Fasting can do this because it connects the mind, body and soul.

My fast began Palm Sunday at noon with my last meal of two chicken sandwiches and an apple.

I did not eat or consume anything besides water and air until noon on Easter.

Fasting changes the body, and there are different stages to it.

The first day is easy because you have food in your system. There is little hunger, and you carry the excitement and determination that come with new beginnings.

The second day can be difficult since you have hunger pains and the body demands you eat something.

Persevere.

On the third day, the desire to eat fades away, and your other senses come alive.

My sense of smell was heightened. On campus, I could smell the sweet fragrances of flowers as if they were a strong perfume I had dabbed under my nose.

In the Rhatigan Student Center, I smelled layers of food aroma. I smelled the salty grease of Chick-fil-A along with the warm bread and tomato scents wafting from Pizza Hut.

In the Heskett Center locker room, I walked next to a locker and it smelled like cheese that was used to wipe away the sweat from an armpit.

On the fourth day, I felt good. I had energy and began to smile and laugh because I felt the spirit and because I was halfway done.

The next two days were difficult, because I felt weak. My head was foggy and I was tired.

I was tempted to give in numerous times. My friends told me I had done enough. They told there was no shame in stopping.

But I persevered because I had a goal.

And on the seventh day, I went to Easter service with my grandmother, felt the love of the spirit and the pride of accomplishment, and then broke the fast with a bowl of soup at noon.

Fasting is about the power of the human mind.

With faith, confidence, will and determination, you can beat temptation and achieve your goals. If you have a goal and put your mind to it, you can succeed.

This is our gift as humans.

Fasting challenges you. It makes you thankful for everything you have and the life you were given. You become more aware of everything that surrounds you.

My favorite part of the fast was a lazy afternoon when I was walking down Fairmount Street.

I could hear everything.

I heard every bird singing. I heard cars cruising on Hillside. I heard the hum of the buildings on campus. I heard my shoes pound against the pavement.

I heard my breathing and my heart. I heard the wind blowing gently in the trees. I heard the boom of bass from a car speaker. I heard people talking across the street.

In that moment, I heard everything beating together in the true rhythm of life.