Let’s be clear: you cannot grab that stick you want without deciding that you’re gonna go for it. This is what fancy humans (and Missy) call intentions.
Such a simple concept, yet so true: that which we manifest is before us; we are the creators of our own destiny. Be it through intention or ignorance, our successes and our failures have been brought on by none other than ourselves.
Garth Stein, The Art of Racing in the Rain
So what is it we want bring on this month?
Healthy life
We want to be whole, painfree, the full version of our best selves. Health is not an ends, it’s a means to have a life that’s not restricted by tiredness, pain or lack of energy. Health lets us focus on the things that truly count: time in nature, relationships, playtime.
Exercise every day
This is more for Missy. I run every day. I lift weight (the weight of those thick branches I so love), I even do dog parkour. But Missy doesn’t join, she comes along alright, but there’s no run, jump or lifting with her. So I’ll motivate her to do something every day. Even if it’s a short stretch together. Ahawah, I love stretches!
Walk 7k steps every day
We both need this. Currently we stand at a good 5-6k on average, so it’ll be a bit of a stretch (huhh, see what I did there? Stretch, like before? 🙂 ) but not too much. We don’t want impossible goals.
Eat veggie/fruit with every meal
Even for me, eating is not all about meat. I love when they’re mixed with apples, berries, sweet potatoes, carrots, I sometimes eat them on their own, too. I’m not picky when it comes to food. Missy though… She’s very picky, and needs to open her horizons, replace some of that pizza with fruit & vegetable. I’ll help her.
No ordering of food
I already try to say this to Missy every time a delivery comes by barking insistenly and super loud, but it didn’t stop her – hopefully this challenge will.
Blog every day
Kind of a given with the A to Z challenge, huh, but let’s reinforce this intention: we’ll highlight a different point, share a different story of this health-month every day, and Missy will visit at least 3 of you. (I’ll keep an eye on the door in the meantime so no pizza can sneak in!)
What about you, dear visitor, who is not a pizza-delivery person, hence warmly welcome in our space? What are your intentions for April? Feel free to drop a link to your blog whether or not you’re doing the challenge. And hug a dog today.
Love, Mia
Life with Mia 
I needed this today. Made me smile – thank you. “Hug a dog today” is THE best advice ever🐕🐕🦺🐩🦮
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Thank you, so glad it made you smile, it was certainly fun to do 🙂
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Besides finishing my three themed a to z challenge my goals are as follows: 1 get back on the weight loss good side, I lost 2 pounds since March 1st but gained 4 since last Saturday. No more 1 step forward 2 steps back. 2) I am calling this month agua only April and will try to drink only water becuase I know that almost almost all my extra calories are drank not eaten. 3) This is my anniversary month and I have no intention of making my wife an A to Z widow. So, I need to be focused on the time I do spend on the challenge so I can focus most of the remainder on her and the fam fam.
Loved your post! Good luck on the challenge! Here is today’s post https://dave-homeschooldad.blogspot.com/2022/04/a-is-for-awana-allen-and-ample.html
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Sounds like a well – rounded, balanced plan, best of luck!
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I did get out with my pooch today for a brisk walk. Our down pour days seem to be at an end. Gotta love those four legged friends.
Enjoy April.
This month my story is in Ukraine – 2022. I wrote the original story while I lived in Ukraine (2007).The Letter A
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It’s also raining here, so weren’t able to get the steps in!
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First intention, since it’s April 1, is to get all the way from A to Z on my blogs, and read more of other’s contributions to the challenge. My dog, Mickey, got his morning hugs. He’ll get more!
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Mickey is a lucky dog! 💚
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I love this first post! My intention for the month is also to complete the AtoZ, but I also really need to walk and exercise more. I love your motivating Missy and I’m sure you’ll both do a great job!
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Thank you, hopefully the weather will be on our side later on (it’s been raining non-stop since Wednesday…)
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Oh, I hope so too. It’s been raining and snowing here a lot too.
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Great set of intentions!
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Thank you, I might have overcommitted but we’ll see :))
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Gee, thanks for reminding me of all the things I don’t do. I keep thinking I’m going to get better with exercise and eating, but I still feel pretty healthy most of the time so I guess at age 71 I’ve done something right. I think a lot of the way I feel is probably my attitude toward living.
But, yeah, you’re right.
Keep the great posts coming.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out Battle of the Bands
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I agree, attitude is super important, that’s why I also want to focus on doing it gently, lovingly. In the past I was hateful, harsh to myself because of my weight, but I worked hard to change that. Let’s see if it sticks! 🙂
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Hi, it´s great to meet you and Mia. Or is it Mia who is posting? 😉
Thanks for reminding me of all the things we do in order to become a better version of ourselves. Maybe from the list, it´s the exercise I try to avoid as much as possible. Maybe because of fibromyalgia, I´ve just learned that the fear of the pain is sometimes stronger than the real pain. I´ll really do my best to take the pups for walkies, although they are already stronger than me, and one day, you´ll find me flying behind them as a colored kite.
See you tomorrow.https://steampunkcowunicorn.wordpress.com/2022/04/01/a-is-for-amnesia/
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Haha Mia is small as you see but sometimes can be very intent on going somewhere, and can pull hard on her leash! So I can totally imagine what it’s like with bigger (and multiple!) dogs. But walking with them is also such a joy, it’s usually the best part of my day.
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Oh, yes, taking them for a walk it´s quite fun, although being big is the reason for making a team walk: my sister in law comes with her pup every sunday, too. Her gurl is sister to our pup, so we want them to keep in touch.
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Mia is too cute and adorable! I love the bond you share with each other… Looking forward to more cute content!
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Thank you Damyanti! Glad you stopped by! 🙂
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Great start for A to Z.
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I wrote ever such a long comment admiring your programme, Mia, but it disappeared from view. I expect you walk further than me because you’re so much bigger. I try to get Mummy to eat healthily. She’s doing much better this year.
Biggles
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Small steps count just as much as bug steps 😉
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This is delightful! One of my goals for April is to simply get back into the habit of blogging. I’ve fallen out of practice these last few years. I agree: we don’t want impossible goals. The A to Z Challenge is a very difficult goal, but it’s not impossible, and I’m hoping this will help me rebuild my old blogging habit.
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I’m with you, it’s a good opportunity for that.
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Dog parkour — love that! My dogs do it every day 🙂 And I’ve already hugged them this morning.
Ronel visiting for the A-Z Challenge My Languishing TBR: A
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Mia is great at jumping, always overestimates it 😄 like here: she looks like she’s flying haha
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