A Muslim's reflection on lent

So I've always understood lent through my friends who, for 40 days, give up something that is hard for them personally to give up. I have friends who gave up things like smoking, chocolate or coffee. I admit, I did not look too much into lent but I always admired the personal sacrifice my friends made to get closer to God. It's similar in a way to Muslims giving up food and drink during daylight hours in Ramadan.

This year however, a colleague of mine is doing something different.....at least it seems to me like it is. She is adding instead of removing something. She is going to volunteer for an organization that helps the poor and needy of our community. Now obviously I cannot comment on the permissibility or impermissibility of doing that but her thought impressed me and is making me think about my Ramadans. Obviously I will continue the abstention I mentioned above but I think this year I will add something extra to my routine. Something on top of the extra prayers and reflections. Something along the lines of what she is doing with her lent, a reflection in action.
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The best way to get closer to God is through service to His creation. I wish all my Christian friends a thoughtful, reflective lent that would get them closer to God and His creation.