A few weeks ago when I was at home I knew I needed to get outside, but had no motivation. Walking Chastain Park is my absolute favorite thing to do at home, but I couldn’t get myself to leave the house. Every time I walk the park I feel an instant rush of happiness and appreciation for my surroundings. It’s the classic therapy move of I know I don’t want to do it but I know I will feel better after and truly benefit from this which is equally helpful and frustrating. Eventually, I left my house. I knew there were only so many days left for me to walk the park, and that I would be happy I did no matter what. Which really got me thinking. Super cliche but as Miley Cyrus (/Hannah Montana) once said (sang) “There’s always going to be another mountain. I’m always gonna wanna make it move. Always gonna be an uphill battle. Sometimes I’m gonna have to loseeeeee. Ain’t about how fast I get there. Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other sideeeeee. It’s the climb”.

Thats awkward I really thought there was a lyric about going the extra mile, but you get the gist. I just looked up “gist” because it said I spelled it wrong (jist), and my world is rocked. I feel lied to. I’ve never seen this in writing but still, that just doesn’t feel right.

Back to the story…I was walking the park listening to Binchtopia, per usual, when I realized. Everyone is right. You’re never going to regret going the extra mile. Yes, I already knew this, but this was a eureka moment for me.

Fast forward to yesterday August 28th, 10pm. I had just gotten back to my apartment, which isn’t typical of me. I was exhausted. As I turned the corner I saw a dog leash hanging on a storage locker’s door handle. It immediately caught my eye because you don’t normally see dog collars lying around, they’re always on the dog, and no one really cares about losing the collar but to me, it felt really odd. At first, I was like aw that sucks I hate losing things that’s so nice for someone to put it here I hope they find it. Then I began to spiral and think am I about to get sex trafficked? Why is it pink? Is someone trying to lure a girl in? Did I just walk into a trap? Should I call them or is that dangerous? Recently I have been actively choosing to be bold, honest, and candid to overcome my anxiety and to feel comfortable and confident being my unapologetic self. So, I picked up the phone and called the number on Billie’s collar. It rang for a little bit, but no answer which is extremely valid because I am a random person with a random phone number and I would do the same. I decided I already called her so I might as well leave a voicemail. Four minutes later I got a voicemail. I didn’t see it or the missed call until much later, but I feel that the four minutes are important. I attached the voicemail. I really hope that’s not an invasion of privacy but my blog is pretty publicly private so I think it’s okay.