Listen. Listen to others, listen to your soul.  This thought has been on my mind for weeks.  When someone opens up with a thought or issue it is so important to listen.  Listen to each word, pay attention to their emotions and listen with your heart.  It has struck me how hard that is for most people to accomplish.  It seems our first reaction is to tell a story about ourselves.  It is almost like a contest of experiences.  Why is that?  I think of the times when I have wanted someone to listen to me.  The times I have tried to express a feeling or fear it seems the conversation shifts to them.  I hear their experience, their problem, their life.  Why do people feel that sharing their experience is what you need in your moment of sadness, frustration or pain.  My challenge is to listen.  Listen without adding input.  Listen without a comparing story or advice.  All I am going to do is listen.  Being still and quiet can also serve our souls.  Just think about being quiet and still and letting your soul guide you.  Healing comes from silence.

This morning while running my Leona Miller 14 Day Challenge (Part 56) a turtle was in my path.  The turtle kept it's head out the entire time I marveled at it.  This turtle showed no fear of me.  My wild life creature showed peace, serenity and strength.  This beautiful animal got me thinking about her determination.  She walks slowly staying strong despite obstacles or distractions.  Indians thought of the turtle as the peace-maker fostering peace and harmony with all things.  The turtle is also strong.  While swimming the turtle is fast.  I feel this is the perfect representation of how to manage our emotions and manage our days.  The turtle is a reminder of our need for emotional strength.  We need to stay peaceful, yet determined - grounded and persistent.  Mastering our emotions is the key to success and life.  Being calm, steady and determined brings joy to you and those around you.  Passing along peace and calm to others is the best gift you can give someone.  Stay peaceful and patient.  Model the turtle.

Managing your emotions is a tremendous challenge.  Devastating events happen and shake our faith. How do we acknowledge and honor our feeling and give people in our lives the same gift. Mastering the art of calmness is the foundation for this success.  When there is a struggle, a deep feeling in the depth of your soul that feels hopeless, that is when calm needs to take over.  I am not talking about avoiding the feeling but being still with it.  It is almost like watching it with fascination.  Mastering this technique will allow you to overcome anything life throws at you.  Anything is possible when approached this way.  
These photos are of the same bridge.  One is before a flood and the second is during the flood.  The bridge is completely covered.  This wasn't the only area the water was rushing.  It was flooding the backyard, the crawl space of our home, everywhere.  When I stopped panicking and became still and calm, I saw the breathtaking beauty.  This was a superb moment of spectacular beauty.  Being calm allowed me to enjoy the moment.  The event would have been exactly the same regardless of my emotions.  Looking back I clearly see if I chose to be upset I would have changed nothing except bring sorrow instead of joy to my day.

My recent revelation is that life can be full of peace and joy when viewed through gratitude and present moment thinking.  Showing gratitude for people, events and things creates a sense of peacefulness.  Freeing your mind of future and past thinking eliminates anxiety and stress.  Notice everything that is right in front of you.  Hear the birds, smell the flowers, feel the breeze.  It is a wonderful way to feel immediate calmness.  Combine this with feeling grateful for everything large and small and we can manage any situation.

Charm is simply a matter of being yourself. Your uniqueness is your power.  This thought sparked  from the beautiful orchid.  This plant blooms takes 

Lichen is a unique life form. It is not a plant but rather a fungus-alga.  Lichen's benefit to humans is it absorbs pollutants. This is a very complex, unique and beautiful organism

As I ran this week this beautiful cluster laid on my trail.  It beauty brightened my run.  Having a forest full of this organism is health blessing.  It absorbs pollutants and provides fresh clean air every day for me.

Why has this lichen mesmerized me this week?  Maybe it's because lichen presents itself in a confusing way.  Many people would think at first glance that this is a plant, but it's not.  I feel like I may not be what you would expect at first glance.  I am physical and mentally very strong but I suspect most people don't see that when they meet me.  Certainly I do not radiate weakness but I think you have to know me to understand my strength and passion.  There is no doubt in my mind I can accomplish anything.  There are few people who know this.   I feel unique, complex and unlike anyone else.  
The LM14DC is a great representation of me.  As I start part 54 I honor my determination. Over 2 years of running every day, that is exceptional.  I am complex, unique with very strong opinions.  Health and fitness is a cornerstone of my existence.  So as I run past this lichen everyday I realize how similar I am with this fungus/alga.

Exercising outside is complete joy.  The vibrant colors, fresh smells and clean air fill my routine with peace and happiness.  Seeing the beauty around me and transforming my health nearly erases the "challenge" part of my morning.  Each morning feels different.  They all are spectacular and beautiful but also very unique.  This routine has opened my heart to the subtle changes that occur each day.  My heart is filled with gratitude and love.  This slice of paradise transform me.  The 30 to 45 minutes each morning brings me to a complete state of gratefulness.  I have improved my mind, body and soul with the LM14DC.  This really is essential for a anxiety free life.

Yes, it's true........I have not missed 1 day in 2 years on the Leona Miller 14 Day Challenge!  I wouldn't say it has been difficult but has been challenging.  First, establishing a morning routine and sticking to it can be slightly tough.  There were days when it felt like I should skip to work a little more or clean up a mudslide in the backyard.  Nothing deterred me.  It really became driveway first, everything else second.  I am proud and amazed of my dedication!  Today is the beginning of year 3.  This is very exciting and fills me with hope in all aspects of my life!

Every spring I am in awe of ferns new shoots sprouting.  Seeing them unfold in the morning light is magnificent.  A feeling that anything is possible fills my soul.