Oaks Bottom Nature Park

Today was the first Duck game of the season, so I knew I had to be home by 12:30 to watch the game (which we KILLED: 72 to zip!!!). I also wanted to get the dog out for a bit more than just a walk and I knew Mai would love some Mama time. After reading Tina's 30DSLR post about trusting my body more, I managed to spend an extra couple minutes in the shower just letting it be a relaxing Saturday morning and giving my lower back a nice hot pelting of water. I know my husband thinks I take the longest showers in the history of showering, but it's always work, work, work - shave this, shampoo that, loofah here loofah there, loofah, loofah everywhere...so today I just stood there and let myself relax under the water before heading out the door.

We considered today a "Nature WALK" rather than a hike so we could use it for the 30 Day OOTB Challenge. Rather than hike for cardio or leg conditioning, we just walked slowly for two hours and enjoyed each others company, seeing loads of Great Blue Herons, some of the different 140 bird species that live in Oaks Bottom, and even two deer...

Mai had fun in the fields...

The creek...

And climbing fences and trees...

When we arrived back at the trailhead, Mai even said to me that she never broke a sweat. Yep...this was definitely a walk in the park.

I had lots of thoughts today about trusting my body, but I often chose to ignore what it was saying. I did listen a few times but more often than not, I did the opposite of what it was asking me to do. Hm.....

I think the easier things like "Hey...Julie...it's me your neck. I'm stiff. Massage me" were easy to listen to and respond to, although I find it funny that I usually don't listen to my neck or my back and give them the care they need even when it's as easy as a hot shower or neck massage - and I'm not sure why. So I guess there were some positives today. But when it came to listen to my body telling me it was dehydrated and to just turn down the salty potato chips, I chose to turn a deaf ear.

I think the best part of these 30 days of Self-Love Reflection are awesome because even though I may not solve myself in the month of September, I have been REALLY spending A LOT of time in reflection about all the topics and that has GOT to count for something. Right? Right!