Tuesday, July 24, 2012

50 Questions that will free my mind- Part Uno!



Phase 1 of freeing my mind!!!
  1. How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?
HAHA I actually find this quite funny because I'm 25 which is easy to remember, but while I was 23 and 24, I remember having to calculate or think about my age before sharing it with others.  I don't know what that means. 
Which is worse, failing or never trying?
      2.  If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do?
For me, it's this simple.  I'm too much of a people-pleaser who is striving to let go and let God, however cliche that may be.  I do things I don't like out of worry and fear of regret.  Making a mistake and allowing it to be "ok"  is the hardest concept for me to come to terms with.  Yet I preach it to those in my life every day.  
     3. When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done?
I hope not!  That's not the woman God wants me to be, but I know that in the past I have been more of a talker than a do-er.  Right now is all about radical change and keeping the fire burning for the Lord! As long as I do that, I won't fall into the pit of being just a talker.  If I ever am just a talker, I want to be a talker pursuing after God's own heart!
     4. What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world?
I'd like for everyone to choose God.  I am aware of what the bible says about this though.  I want to see a generation rise up and take their place at the right hand of the Almighty!  I want to see less lukewarm Christians and more Christians on fire for God.
     5. If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?
To make others rich and fill me full of happiness at the same time: Sharing constantly. Loving liberally.  Passing out smiles on the streets.  

Well folks, stay tuned for the next segment! 
What did you find most interesting about my answers?  Are you going to answer the questions for yourself?
Take care,
Ashley

101 in 1001

So, this post is dedicated to my 101 goals in 1001 days.  To create your own, visit Day Zero.  I will pop back and update you on my progess! I'm so excited to get started!!!
Note: Many of these aren't written in measurable lingo, so I'll be editing that in as I go.  Don't worry, I'll still be dreaming big!  PS If anyone can help me achieve any of these of has methods or ideas- PLEASE SHARE!!!


(I'm not sure how to get them to stop showing up as links)


Write a letter to myself to open in 10 years (Actually since then I've gotten addicted to futureme.org and have written myself several letters, beginning one year from now.)
Leave an inspirational note inside a book for someone to find (I'll attach my note soon!  I haven't left it for anyone else yet!)
Answer the "50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind" (getting started on this!  I will post them soon! Questions)
Fall in love (I didn't specify with whom or what?! LOL)




Friday, July 13, 2012

Stepping out of THE boat!

   
       It's been about 9 months since my last post.  It feels like forever and a lot has happened to me since then.  Well, nothing has actually happened to me, I've happened to "it" so to speak.  I use these words and phrases because I believe that I'm not a victim in my life; I do have a certain amount of control over what is going on.  Actually, I can't say that this has been a season of achieving dreams, but I can say that it has been and still is a season of preparation in my life.  I can't say completely why this is, but I do know that that's what God has laid on my heart.  I'm no longer a woman who sits on the sidelines letting dust just settle around her.  I have had my share of shortcomings and trials, but as I sit here, I feel like I've grown stronger as a woman.  
     Right now I'm seeking to walk down a new path in my career.  I also finally mustered the courage to join a gym in February (It might not sound like a terrible feat, but for a very self- conscious, out of shape, and discouraged girl, it certainly was not easy).  I had been battling with myself internally for literally years.  I was and still am (sometimes) trying to find the best workout with being seen the least.  I've overcome a lot of these fears and this sense of shame, but I still cringe at the thought of getting on a workout machine amidst a bunch of super fit people.  However, the difference between then and now is that now I get over myself and just do it! My body does not belong to me anyway, it is totally God's and I've got to take care of it! Deep down, I do realize that it's just a confidence issue- I'm not some ogre or anything LOL (If I could just convince myself of this)
     God has also began a journey of healing within me.  I'm still not to the point where I can openly share much with people in my inner circle (It's weird- I feel much more comfortable talking to strangers about a lot), but many of my chains of the past are being loosed.  I don't know why I'm so afraid to surrender it all to God, I guess it's a deep down fear that I'll hurt worse because people will see the real me.  I'm working on coming to a place of loving myself. I guess the fact that I've had this realization is the beginning of the staircase that I need to climb in order to resolve the issues.  
        I've really been opening up to God more and realizing that I can and should be "raw" in His prescence.  Because of this, I can feel a real transformation within myself.  To be honest, I really don't know where to end this post.  I hope that you can understand my ramblings.  Honestly, this is more for me than it is for you.  I need an outlet and I don't do well with paper journals.  I hope you'll comment though!
Humbly yours,
Ashley!
PS How can I pray for you in this season?