Missed Rabbit Opportunity

I took another mile walk this morning. I feel good. Well, there’s a slight cramp in my right calf, but aside from that I feel really good! I learned something again this morning. I learned I should never again leave home for a walk without my camera! Leaving it home was a last minute decision before I stepped outside to go for my walk. I thought to myself, it was likely a little too gloomy on the path perhaps to find good nature shots. We had some storms last night and rain throughout the early morning hours. Plus, my walk is more for me to get healthy and enjoy the alone time verses snapping off at the camera. So I left it home and boy do I wish I hadn’t!

Not even half way from my house to the path I took, I spotted a rabbit in some random yard. I paused; I spoke soft to it and just adored it from a few steps away. The rabbit didn’t run away like they usually do, oh no instead it stayed in place and watched me. I swear I could almost picture it having a carrot in its mouth and going, “What’s up doc?”. It didn’t even run away as I began to move again to continue to head off towards the path. I silently had to curse myself of course for deciding not to bring my camera along. It was one of those times where I debated backtracking to the house, but what would be the odds that the rabbit would still be there when I got back? I tried to reason that with myself as I quietly commiserated upon entering the path.

Once on the path though I was slowly putting it behind me already. Taking in a nice deep breath and letting it out slowly as I just enjoyed the fresh air. That peaceful feel the path really seems to wrap around me as I began my journey down it for the day. I swear though, it was about the time I had fully accepted the fact there’s nothing I could do about the missed opportunity and let it go, did I spot another rabbit up ahead of me. Then possibly even a third rabbit rustled in some bushes – or so I’m hoping that’s what that was! LOL! I couldn’t shake how crazy that was, having seen two rabbits so close. There were two times at that point where I spotted a rabbit. Each time met with enough of an encounter that if I had my camera, I likely would have had enough time to snap a picture. I just sighed after the second one, let it go and continued on my way.

Making it to the end of the path again, felt like a personal accomplishment. I enjoyed greatly that feeling of knowing I had made it to that point. And since the research done yesterday, knowing I had just walked ½ a mile and still was doing good felt great. So now all I had to do was walk back ½ a mile and head home. It was on my way back down the path though, did a Robin swoop down and land right in front of me. Now this was not so much a missed picture opportunity as it took all I had not to scream bloody murder. See…I’m not exactly a fan of birds. I find them beautiful from afar, but up close like that and I’m ready to run crying for my mommy! I didn’t scream though and thankfully the bird flew away pretty fast.

Now overall I did quite enjoy my walk. I still found it peaceful and relaxing, despite my silent commiserating over opting to not bring along my camera and missing the rabbit picture opportunities. LOL! I’m over it (or so I’m pretending) about the missed pictures though. More than anything I am just feeling good about myself for taking the initiative for getting off my butt two days in a row!

--XOXO, Jane

Taking Those First Steps

I learned two things about myself this morning. One thing being that it really is okay to be proud of myself for small things. I have a bad habit of not giving myself “enough credit” as some who know me would put it. I can be very hard on myself, but this morning I felt a moment of clarity. I felt something stir inside me at such a random moment that just told me, it’s okay to be proud of myself for the positive progress I continue to make in life. Regardless of how big or small each step along the way is. As long as I’ve accomplished something to push me to my big goal, I can hold my head up high and feel good about myself for actually doing something.

The other thing I learned was that I actually like to take walks alone. Yep, I did it finally. Shortly after 6:00am I felt the urge that couldn’t be held back. Since the sun was up enough that I could see outside, I changed from my pajamas and tossed on my new balance shoes. I grabbed my camera, stuffed it in my pants pocket and headed out the door. I only paused a couple times to take a picture on my venture out.  Of course one of which was at start of the portion of a trail I opted to take. It’s not really that long, from one street down behind some houses to the next street, a block long if that. Anyways, there was nobody else on the path and I just found myself completely alone and loving it.

Sounds of nature filled my ears on my early morning walk. I found myself actually enjoying the sounds of birds chirping, squirrels rustling in bushes and trees. It was peaceful. It was relaxing and I felt like I could just think clearly. It was a little buggy given all the plant life along the trail, but nothing intolerable. Only once did I feel maybe I should turn back, but in that moment I was considering it I saw the end of the trail and pushed to continue. It was like seeing the finish line or something. I had to cross it. I had to make it that far, before I could allow myself to turn around and make the walk all the way home. I felt accomplished reaching that point of the trail and still feeling good enough to walk home. Now really, as cliché as this may sound – there’s a part of me that strongly feels like I just took the first steps down a better path for my life today.

Logically I know this was only day one. If I want to continue to feel proud of myself I will need to walk again tomorrow, then the next day and the next after that. Weather permitting of course, but if it’s bad for a day then I must get on the exercise bike I have free access too. I must keep up with being more active for myself. I must keep myself determined and focused to continue on this path to getting healthier. Walking is just the start and today, I proudly share that I took those first steps I needed to. I finally got off my butt and took that much needed initiative.

--XOXO, Jane

UPDATED AT 7:55AM TO ADD:
I just found out that the portion of the trail I took is approximately ½ a mile long. So in total I walked approximately a mile, plus whatever steps it took me to get from my home to the trail and back from it.