Dream big

I got to dance in a show this weekend (pictures coming soon).  I haven't done a show since I graduated from college, so it felt amazing to be back on stage.  I absolutely LOVED it and I loved working with our fabulous choreographer Linda who is truly an inspiration.  She told us that we were there performing because we NEED to dance.  

I am that person.

I NEED to dance.  

She gave us these little notes and let us pick our own from a bag because she said that we get to pick our dream.

This is what I pulled out :

Thank you Linda for your love, support and inspiration.  

I am going to dream big :)

xo

Ashley

Let it roll...

One of the hardest things for me to do is to let things roll off my back.  I take things in and hold on to them and keep them until I can't keep anymore and then everything comes crashing down.  This happened yesterday.  When I look back at it, everything that happened was little and not a big deal.  I like to think I'm just PMSing.  But the little things added up.  I consider myself a pretty strong person.  I can take a lot.  But the problem is when I don't "let go" of those little things-I end up breaking down.  Thankfully I easily pick myself up again and keep going. (Plus with the help of good friends and a trip to Golden Spoon).  Because that is who I am.  I am a fighter.  I consider all the tough stuff happening in my life just making me stronger.  In the meantime-I need to let things roll off my back.  My bestie who knows me so well sent me this link and I wanted to share it with you all:

Let it Roll Off Our Back

Enjoy. 

Much Love.

Ash

There's always gonna be another mountain

Ok, this might be really cheesy...but...

As my playlist was playing on the ride home tonight from work "The Climb" (yes, by Miley Cyrus-don't judge me!) came on.  Ok i'll admit I have seen the Hannah Montana movie a few times in my life. :)  Well as I listened closely to the lyrics it really made me think.  There IS always going to be another mountain in life to climb.  I think that is what life is about.  Climbing mountains and becoming a better person after each one.  So read this and tell me what you think.  

I really do love this song.

I can almost see it
That dream I'm dreaming but
There's a voice inside my head sayin,
You'll never reach it,
Every step I'm taking,
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking but I
Got to keep trying
Got to keep my head held high

There's always going to be another mountain
I'm always going to want to make it move
Always going to be an uphill battle,
Sometimes I'm gonna to have to lose,
Ain't about how fast I get there,
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb

The struggles I'm facing,
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes might knock me down but
No I'm not breaking
I may not know it
But these are the moments that
I'm going to remember most yeah
Just got to keep going
And I,
I got to be strong
Just keep pushing on, cause

There's always going to be another mountain
I'm always going to want to make it move
Always going to be an uphill battle,
Sometimes you going to have to lose,
Ain't about how fast I get there,
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb 

Keep on moving
Keep climbing
Keep the faith

It's all about
The climb
Keep the faith
Keep your faith

I'm ready to continue to climb mountains.  

Hope everyone is having a great week.

Love, 

Elle

Ice Skating

Ok...everyone assumes since I can dance that must mean I can ice skate.

I am no michelle kwan that is for sure!

But I must say it is fun.  I brought my bestie to the YSA Ice Skating Event and we had a blast.  Plus my bestie knows me so well-she knew how to help a sista out.  :)  Also...if you are not so savvy at ice skating it is an excellent reason to find a cute guy and ask him to teach you how to skate.  (Thanks bestie).  

 Me and bestie

Arthur ready to get his skate on.  

 Bestie was kind enough to teach this hot mess how to skate.

I'm telling you....Michelle Kwan! :)

My new obsession

Weekly trips to Michael's = Ashley has a crafty side.  

I seriously can't get enough of Michael's.  I could buy out that store.  

I have discovered a new hobby.

I love it and I'm obsessed.

LOVE.  I just made 6 different ones for my 7 year old cousin.

xo

Elle

Inspired

First off...I love my job.

Today was a very interesting day to say the least.  Not just at work, but the day in its entirety.  But I got the chance to really be inspired today.  There are just those people that say things, that make you think...it is those kind of people that I want to hire to be my life cheerleader.  At work today we were discussing leadership qualities and really how to achieve one's dream.  

I am a dreamer.  I love to set goals and work hard to achieve them.  That is just who I am.

As I was getting my performance review at work today, I was really thinking about the future.  What are my goals?  What do I want to achieve?  What are some things I can work on?  

Pretty much I came up with the fact that I want to be a better leader.  Sure, I'm a great follower.  But I want to have the confidence to take more action and initiative to become someone that others are inspired by.  I have had some great experiences with EFY (youth programs for church).  I have loved every second of it.  

But even more than just being a better leader for my job...I want to be someone that other's look to and say-hey she did it, and SO CAN I.  

I feel incredibly empowered today.  Because I believe with hard work and dedication, anything is possible.  

Walt Disney said : "...I can't believe there are any heights that can't be scaled by a man [ or woman ] who knows the secret of making dreams come true.  This special secret can be summarized in four C's.  They are Courage, Curiosity, Confidence, and Constancy."

I think we can be and do anything we put our minds too.  Walt Disney had a dream and he made it a reality when others may have thought it wasn't possible.  What an icon.  Thanks Walt :)

So here I go.   I am going to live my POSSIBLE dream :)

xoxo

Ashley

Dare to Dream

OK so the last few weeks have been tough.  Actually my entire life has been tough (who's hasn't?), but these last few weeks have been EXTRA tough.  Last night I was pondering (and since I've been sick I've had a little too much time too ponder...) about my life and what I can do to make it the best possible life ever.  Now I don't have complete control of everything in my life.  And that is OK.  What I can control is ME.  I can control the way I react to others but I cannot control the way they treat me.  

Well I have a dream.  It's a big dream.  Maybe I'll never make it.  But guess what.  How do you know UNLESS you try?!  And no matter what people say I feel like you just have to go after it.  I have had people in my life-family members, ex-boyfriends etc...tell me I was too ambitious and that I would never make it.  But I happen to think otherwise.  I think there is joy in the journey.  

So back to last night-I came upon this book I am writing that is full of quotes that have inspired me, scriptures, poems etc...I have been writing this book since I was 15 and am planning on giving it to someone special in the future :).  So as I was going through it I came across this poem and it really was the exact thing I needed to hear last night.

So I want to share it with all of you :)

Your life holds unlimited potential and wonderful dreams.

You have the ability to attain whatever you seek;

Within you is every potential you can imagine.

Always aim higher than you believe you can reach.

So often you discover that when your talents are set free by your imagination,

You can achieve any goal.

If people offer their help or wisdom,

as you go through life, accept it gracefully.

You can learn much from those who have gone before you.

But never be afraid or hesitant to go against the crowd

and head off in your own direction,

if your heart tells you that it's the right way for you.

Always believe that you will ultimately succeed at whatever you do, 

and never forget the value of persistence, discipline and determination.

You are a soul full of spirit

and are meant to achieve greatness by all definitions.

Dare to Dream.

*countless reasons why I love this.  I think you should all print this poem out or write it somewhere that you can see it every day.  Never forget who you are.  Each one of us is special.  There is no other person EXACTLY like you.  Dream big and aim high. If you shoot for the moon, then maybe you'll catch a star.  

I am going to keep on dreaming.  Come join me!

xoxo

Elle

Count your blessings

Today in church we sang the hymn "Count Your Blessings".  While singing, I realized no matter what is going on in my life, there are ALWAYS blessings to be accounted for.  The past few weeks for me have been rough.  I'm hurt (and I rarely will admit that).  But with the new year here I am getting a fresh start and putting the past behind me.  I will continue to count my blessings...one by one.

When upon life's billows you are tempest-tossed

When you are discouraged thinking all is lost

Count your many blessings, name them one by one

And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

So amid the conflict whether great or small

Do not be discouraged God is over all

Count your many blessings angels will attend

Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.

I have been greatly blessed throughout my life and I know I will continue to be.  As long as I keep my head held high with faith in my Heavenly Father, things will work out.  With the good, comes the "not so good" and vice versa.  But as long as I focus on the good....it will always outweigh the "not so good".  :)

Count your many blessings.

Name them one by one.

And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

xoxo

Ash