Ashley Says...

 [Note: Feel free to skip down to the bottom and just read my 3 bullet points. That's the core of this entire post, anyway... the part you'll *maybe?* appreciate. Love, Ash]

I'm writing today... simply because I felt inspired to write again. 
I have no real topic in mind... no distinct purpose for this post. No idea what I'm even doing here, really. 

But that's okay. Because today, I'm mostly writing for me, in a non-selfish kinda way. I'm writing because I want to write... I need to write... I love to write. Something about the process... it's just good stuff. And if you love it, you should do it, right?

Well, yes... but for a while now, I haven't been writing, at least not consistently. For whatever reason... and I'm sure there are many... I've avoided something I truly love, which is just plain stupid. (Actually... that's been true for me in a lot of other ways as well... outside of writing. Things that I love, places I love, people I love.)

To be honest, in many ways, I feel like I've put myself on hold. My life on hold. And I'm just not okay with that anymore. 

Maybe that's why I'm writing today. In some attempt to get back to me. To get back to you. Or maybe I've already gotten back to me, and I'm just inspired enough to write again, and share it with you.

Either way... long story short... here I am, writing today. Wondering why the words sometimes flow more easily than others... and why today can't be one of those days...
But... gotta start somewhere, right?

That being said, I'm just gonna keep typing, and hope that maybe something will happen here. I'm not going to think about it... I'm just gonna write it. Here goes...

Hmmm... okay, this is hard. I'm pretty rusty. So... maybe I'll just share some of my random thoughts, some things I've learned about life, love, and what really matters. I'll probably do this in bullet point form... for your sake, and mine... since my writing is so damn rough right now. 

Alright, here are 3 random Ashley thoughts for your day...

Ashley Owen says...

* No emotion is ever quite as crippling as the feeling of regret. Especially continued regret... lasting regret. It ruins lives, to be quite honest. Regret is about more than just pain and loss, it's also about fear, right? Fear of the past... fear of the future. The fear of who you were, who you are, who you'll be. But mostly... of what you could've been. 

* Often, we think back on certain times in our lives, and we miss the way things were back then. Maybe we miss a person, place, or thing. Maybe we miss a feeling. Maybe we miss ourselves. And maybe we can't go back in time, but that's okay. Because today is all we have... and if you're willing to follow your heart into the now... today is all you need.

* When something inspires you, it alters you, in some way. It becomes part of you, somehow. Even if you never act on that feeling or do anything with it at all, that piece of inspiration never really leaves you. It's always there... lingering in the back of your mind... forcing you to think... whispering to you in the dark. Even if just to say: "I'm still here, and there's still time."

*Quotes written by Ashley Owen Hill, Lucky Dog Rescue Blog

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In My Own Words 3

*All quotes by Ashley Owen Hill, Lucky Dog Rescue Blog

Just sharing some of my thoughts this week, in my own words:

*The smallest of creatures seem to make the biggest of impacts on our lives while they're here... and leave the largest of holes in our hearts when they're gone.

*It is my belief that our loved ones never really leave us when they die. They stay here, by our sides... to guide us through our journey. Maybe I can't see them, but I can always feel them. Death just takes their bodies. Love keeps them alive.

*They say that all good things come to those who wait. I'd actually argue the opposite: Good things come to those who aren't willing to wait any longer, to those who are tired of waiting, to those who finally stand up and do something about it. While everyone else is waiting, these people make it happen. In truth, all good things come to those who act.

*Today, you did something amazing. You were you. No one else in the entire world was you today.

*I may not be the person you want me to me. I may not live the life you wished for me. I may not do the things you hoped you'd see. But I am me... that's the best me I can be.

*Within love, there should always be respect. Respect for your feelings, respect for your dreams, and respect for who you are. If any of these things is not present, walk away. And quickly.

*In this life, you'll cross paths with many. Each and every encounter --positive, negative, or indifferent-- will help shape your journey. But with a special few... more than just your paths will cross. Your souls will cross.

*When you do anything in life --and do it well-- there will always be critics. But as they attempt to tear you down, listen for their hidden message: I'm angry because... you've succeeded.

*I fight for what I believe in. I'm a fighter. I dream of a better world. I'm a dreamer. I love more than I hate. I'm a lover. If you don't fight, if you don't dream, if you don't love... then you don't live. And I'm the crazy one??

*When you ask me why I care so much, I wonder why you do not. When you ask me how I do so much, I wonder how you do not. When you ask me what I'm trying to prove, I wonder what you are not. You ask because you wonder. I wonder because you ask.

*All quotes by Ashley Owen Hill, Lucky Dog Rescue Blog

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In My Words 2

Here are some of my thoughts this week... in my own words:

*Today, I'm going to be positive. I won't let crappy things or stupid people ruin that for me. So, to all the day-ruiners out there: Look elsewhere... because today just ain't your day with me.

*Sure, there are at least 2 sides to every story. But if one person is sane... and the other-- completely insane... then I'm thinking sanity trumps fairness in that dispute.

*The people who really change the world are those who challenge the words "You can't" with "Watch this."

*There will be good days, and there will be bad days. There will be ups, mixed with downs. But, when the tears drown your smiles... fight to smile through those tears. Because if you can smile... you can make it.

*In life, you're going to fail sometimes. When you do, you may feel worthless. But down the road, you may feel burdened by success. And in between, trapped by mediocrity. Just remember: none of these feelings can ever define you... without your consent. You can only be a failure, if you believe you can't succeed. You're only mediocre, if you fail to strive for more. Success will be your burden, if you deny its opportunities. Life doesn't make you who you are. You do.

*If everyone who truly cared about something, simply acted on that feeling, the "some day" we all talk about... could be today.

*The past is in the past. Sure, what happened in the past helped shape who you are today. But if you're still holding onto it --then I hate to tell ya-- but it isn't your past. It's your present.

*Don't waste all of your energy on the not-important-people around you. Because inevitably, the MOST important people in your life will begin to feel not important. Those people are irreplaceable.

*As a kid, you want to know everything. As a pre-teen, you don't care to know anything. As a teenager, you think you know everything. As a young adult, you realize you know nothing. For the rest of your life, you'll repeat this same cycle over and over again. Seeking knowledge, avoiding truth, assuming wisdom, and surrendering to reality. That's the journey of life. You'll never know everything. Try anyway.

*I was once a little girl with big dreams. Although I grew up... that little girl stayed with me. She's still there, inside of me... fighting for those dreams. When life says "No," she says "Yes." When the world says "You can't," she says "I can." When they say "Stop trying," she says "Never." By keeping my inner child alive, I kept my dreams alive. And then, my dreams came true. That little girl never stopped believing that anything is possible... and she was right. 

*All quotes written by Ashley Owen Hill

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In My Words

The past few days have been super-crazy. So, as the week (finally) comes to a close, I just wanted to share a few of my thoughts:

*As you search for the strength to fight your own battles, know that you aren't the only one suffering. We are each fighting our own unique war... and sometimes... a few good allies is all we need to win.

*Love is about more than just a feeling. It's about putting that feeling into action.

*Injustice gains strength with each silent voice and every inaction. And so, injustice holds the power... that we refuse to reclaim.

*Complacency stems from indifference. Indifference says, 'Oh well.' Complacency says, 'It is what it is.' Thus, injustice is born... and hope dies. Now you know why... it is what it is.

*When I think I can't go on, I just look at my rescue dog. If he can keep going after all he's been through... then I sure as hell can.

*If you have even one person in your life who believes in you, and I mean truly believes in you, then consider yourself lucky. And if that one person... is you, then everything you believe... is possible. 

*If you care about something, but you won't fight for it... then you don't care.

*We've all had bad things happen to us. All of us. But the outcome of your life isn't about what's happened to you. It's about how you chose to handle it. 

*You will never make everyone happy. But if you can make a few people smile often... then that's all you really need.

*When you're a kid, anything is possible. You think big, you dream bigger, and you know--without a doubt-- that you can do anything. Over time, the world beats us down. The big thoughts are exchanged for conformity. The bigger dreams are traded for stability. The 'can-dos' are replaced with 'can't-dos.' We call that 'growing up.' But really... we didn't grow up at all. We gave up.

I'd love to hear your thoughts! Love, Ash

*All quotes were written by me, Ashley Owen Hill

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