Looking back over my life, I recall numerous situations a proverbial line in the sand has been drawn.  For most of my life I have been exploring the boundaries created by them.

• As a child, my sister and I shared the back seat in the family station wagon.  One of us invariably drew an imaginary line separating her space from mine.  Quarrels began when the line was crossed, even if breeched by a single finger.
• As I grew older is spent a good deal of my time trying to test the line of acceptable behavior my parents had laid down.  I learned there were negative consequences for crossing their line.
• When I entered adulthood, and set off on my own, I realized there was a line separating the life I had already realized from things I had yet to experience (marriage, career, raising children, etc.).  With trepidation I launched myself across this line and into the great unknown.

Ash Wednesday occurs this coming week.  It marks the start of a 40-day period referred to as Lent leading up to Easter Sunday.  Those who observe Lent usually do so by abstaining from a materialistic vice (i.e. chocolate, red meat, television, etc.) or affirming a spiritual virtue (devotions, prayer, etc.).

Since my couch to 5k experience to date has been marked by physical, mental and spiritual wellness, I have decided to choose Ash Wednesday as a starting line I intend to cross!