Never ever did I plan for my challenge to be at part 52 -2 years! Actually, if I started this as the Leona Miler 104 week Challenge it never would have happened.  Learning this lesson has transformed me.  The impossible has become possible by simply breaking the challenge into very small parts.  I remember feeling quite depressed by my increasing weight and declining health.  14 days seemed like enough time to see if this had the potential to help me.  I needed a shift in a healthy direction.  My first 14 days sparked my mental and physical healing.  The spark kept me going from week to week.  Now, this is part of my morning routine just like brushing my teeth.  I need this like I need air to breath.  Creating the second half of my life to be strong healthy and successful depends on the LM14DC.  Anything is possible when tackled in small parts.  I can do anything :)

This tulip is stunning to me.  The colors are magnificent and the yellow star shape is perfect.  I am so grateful for this springtime beauty.  This time of year feels like anything is possible.  It is renewing and exploding with bright colors.  My regular routine feels new with the season change and I am so happy to stare at all the beauty.

In my world it seems each day is filled with a challenge or two.  It can be a self imposed challenge like the Leona Miller 14 Day Challenge or a random event to add to the challenges of the day.  The benefits of my regular exercise routine have cleared a path for present moment thinking.  Completing my workout each morning gives me 30 minutes of mind clearing time.  Oxygen is flowing through my body while admiring each beautiful morning.  I have found that no matter how my day starts from the moment I open my eyes it somehow feels more balanced after my workout.  A feeling of calm and strength fills me. Nothing has changed except for giving my mind a rest.  Shutting the excessive thinking off opens up your soul to the world and clears the mind to see worry and stress accomplish nothing.  Letting go of everything everything for this short time is magical!

My new Brooks running shoes are fabulous!  Not only is the color beautiful, but I feel as if they were custom made for my foot.  They don't feel to heavy, yet the sole has so much cushion.  I even went so far as to get new running socks.  These updates for my feet make me feel like I can run for miles!  
The best part about choosing my new running shoes was shopping with my super fun daughters!  The 3 of us planned this mission because we all needed new running shoes.  After a couple hours of trying on half a dozen shoes each we each picked our favorite fit!  The 3 of us are very happy with our purchase and ready for our next road race!

Part 50 of the Leona Miller 14 Day Challenge began this morning.  There really is no need for me to count the days any more because this has become part of my self care.  Never have I been so devoted to me.  I can easily be devoted to my family. I'd sacrifice anything for them but feeling  that way about myself was a foreign concept.  How did I choose the path of this deep love and care for me?  For the most part, I was forced into this devotion to myself.  Now that my daughters are professional young women and my life as a widow is over 9 years long, I really had no choice.  I never want to be weak or unable to care for myself.  I want to be strong, fit and healthy.  It seems this spark started out of a little bit of fear.  The last thing I want is to be a burden to my girls.  I've done whatever I needed to bring them up healthy,  but the challenges of life made me feel it was ok to forget about me.  Being alone definitely changed my perspective.  So the 14 Day Challenge had to begin.  Now I devote my mornings to me.  It is mandatory and complete love, 7 days a week.  I don't do anything before I take care of me and complete my routine.   My challenge takes me about 30 minutes, followed up by a leisurely walk with my dogs while I drink a large container of cranberry water.  Before I head in the house I do a 1 minute plank and a couple minutes of stretching.  I follow this up with a healthy smoothing and green tea to savor during my meditation.  After my 30 minutes of meditation I have breakfast while reading my Rumi daily reading and my Bible devotion.  Finally, my work day begins.  In so many ways the challenges in my life have forced this routine on me as a need to survive and I am very pleased to do this for me.  I even planted the daffodils pictured above for me!  They are at the point where I begin my challenge every morning!

Lately I have been feeling stalled out.  Every aspect of my life feels stuck.  Physically, my weight is stuck.  I gained about 7 pounds during Thanksgiving and Christmas and it just isn't coming off.  Financially, I am stuck.  I work two jobs and just getting by.  Mentally and emotionally seem to be a brick wall also!  My mission was to find a way to shake things up.  Then it came to me, a fast!  Lent started on March 6 and what better way to honor this time and clear my mind body and soul than a fast.  3 days of fresh vegetable juice and homemade vegetable broth along with water and peppermint lavender tea was all I consumed.  Day 1 I felt great!  I was excited to cleanse my body and mind and I really didn't feel hungry.  Day 2 was a bit more of a challenge.  The juice kept me from feeling hungry but I had a few detox symptoms such has a head ache and sluggish.  Day 3 I felt fantastic and thought about extending it!  I stopped at day 3 but that is how great I felt.  I lost 7 pounds and feel renewed.  Not all is fixed in my life but I this was the boost I needed.

Every day Lucy and Teddy wait patiently at the back yard gate for their workout.  A challenge with my challenge is first, Teddy hates cats.  I need to keep him away from Bingo at all times.  Lucy loves everyone and loves Bingo's food on the front porch.  Besides, this is Bingo's alone time with me.  She sits at the halfway point and waits patiently for me to brush her on the walk down.  Bingo gets the LM14DC time and afterwards Lucy, Teddy and I go for a stroll on our trails.  Teddy enjoys the freedom to run and Lucy enjoys a leisurely stroll smelling everything along the way.  It is the perfect way to start the day!