Take it easy Mum...

So today's the first day of lent, ash Wednesday. What does it mean to a non practicing catholic? Not that much, except that I had too many pancakes yesterday.  My 6 year old was very excited about getting her ashes before school this morning and looks forward to working on her table manners during lent. Great! So it has helped me with my parenting duties and I am grateful for that. Was that a 'thank you God'?

I'm surprised that I didn't burst into flames upon entry into the church this morning while getting our ashes....yeah that's how often I go. I'm not perfect and I am a 'sinner' like the rest of us Catholics.  Soon I will be going to mass more often as my daughter will be preparing for her first communion next year. Hypocritical? Perhaps, but I believe in providing children with a religious basis so that they can question their spiritual beliefs and find their own spiritual paths as adults. 

What does this have to do with my road to 40? Well life seems a lot shorter as you approach 40 and this is because, on average, half your life is done. It makes you wonder what comes next. It makes you question your life energy and where it goes. So what do you do? You go along with what you know, such as ashes on ash Wednesday, and you take the good parts, like improved table manners for your child.  You embrace the best bits. No judgment, no hypocrisy, just the nice feeling that goes with doing something that relates to nourishing your soul. 

My 6 year old explained to me that today is a day to take it slow and easy and to reflect and pray if you can (yes she really did!) and so who am I to argue with that advice? 

I'm going to stick the kettle on....