Your 2018 Goals ! How to Determine if Your Goals are Purpose-filled!

Efforts & courage are not enough without purpose and direction.

-John F Kennedy

Team no sleep! Self starter ! Boss ! All hashtags that fly about social media inciting people to progression but also stirring the proverbial pot of unexplored business ideas and personal endeavors . But how does one sort through the static of ideas when you’re trying to carve out a new life full of purpose and success.

1. Create a list of your goals. Be specific . Create detail when building this list. Use numbers , percentages , locations etc. This will make each goal more real and thus give you greater insight on how to achieve it.

2. Go inward. This is big ! Assess each goal , reading through the details you’ve previously outlined. Mediate on how each goal feels as you see yourself accomplishing it. Journal your thoughts – free write every thought that come to mind. Think about what you’ll do when you accomplish each goal.

3. Take a day or two away from your pursuit. Return to your notebook of free writing and detailed goals and read your entries . You may be surprised to find what your subconscious has revealed about your seemingly one-dimensional goals .

4. Be Brave and Handle Your Sh*t. If you’re like most people,you may learn things about yourself through this process that may make you uncomfortable. You may see insecurity,vanity, fear or even jealousy bubble through the pages of your journal. It’s ok. Self reflection is imperative when you’re on a journey. Heal those personal areas that need attention so that you learn to handle the challenges in business that may arise wearing similar traits as those personal ones.

ashley + culture: Libyan Slave Trade – What You Can Do to Help !

Until the great mass of the people shall be filled with the sense of responsibility for each other’s welfare, social justice can never be attained.

– Helen Keller

In 2017 the human slave trade is alive and well. Yes ,in 2017!! Never did I think I’d utter those horrible words. To many people the idea slavery is so bizarre they can hardly believe it’s occurring right now in the African country of Libya.

Recently , horrific images of Libyan slaves surfaced in the media sending chills down the spines of the world’s spectators. The news outlet CNN traveled to the war-torn country to verify the claims that Libyan citizens were being seized and sold into slavery. Upon the arrival of the news crews-, live human auctions were being held publicly with some of captives being sold for a little as a few hundred dollars.

This extreme human rights catastrophe has caused many celebrities and public figures to call for action from our national government as well as the United Nations.

During times of social injustice , often one can feel traumatized and helpless. However, we can all do our part to help our global brothers and sisters . Here are a few things you can do to aid in the fight against social injustice!

1. Educate yourself . Reference credible, unbiased sites that are specific to the cause you are interested in supporting . For instance for the Blacks Lives Movement, you should visit their official website for the most accurate information and resources to support the cause.

2. Spread the Word. Often social injustice runs rampant under the guise of anonymity. In secrecy, powerful regimes are able to cripple and control communities . By spreading the word , you can do your part to expose the violators and increase the likelihood of their apprehension by the appropriate parties . Social media is an invaluable tool in communicating with the word internationally! Use your platform to help bring those responsible for human rights violations to justice !

3. Give donations. We all know nothing sparks change like the appropriate funds to create a movement. During human rights calamities, many are left in need of basic human survival necessities. By donating to a credible cause website , your money can go directly to those in the most dire need. Please do your research before sending funds to any agency!

4. Contact your government . Often there are petitions drawn up by nonprofit agencies spearheading the resistance in the face of human rights fights. Find a valid petition to contact federal government and even the appropriate Ambassador. Petitions help to push the investigations of suspected human rights violations and begin the path to intervention.

5. Support one another. If you’re a spiritual person , send love and prayers to the affected communities and never lose hope that your efforts are supporting their liberation .Love trumps all!

Links to support our Libyan Brothers & Sisters

Sign the petition.

–https://www.change.org/p/united-nations-security-council-stop-slave-trade-in-libya

–www.endslaverynow.com

ashley + love : Taking the Dread Out of Dating

Better to put your heart on the line, risk everything, and walk away with nothing than play it safe. Love is a lot of things, but “safe” isn’t one of them.

– Mandy Hal

Dating in today’s digital age can be a seem like a scene from the Game of Thrones – the rules are ever changing and only the quick-witted savage gets the prize in the end. Direct messaging has replaced the now old fashioned physical approach when a suitor would have to muster the courage and gall to ask an unassuming partner out on a date . Dick picks have somehow replaced sweet little nothings. And my all time favorite replacement – the relentless requests for pictures . The now infamous “Send me a picture” text barrage is a death blow to many a burgeoning love affair . The reality is dating kinda sucks – here’s how you make it unsuck.

1. Dress comfortably-Traditionally we’ve been told to wear your finest duds and prepare for your first date as you would for a casual appearance -at the Emmys. Be a doll and show your best version of yourself they say!! I say – or not ! And while I️ do believe in a proper sprucing of one’s appearance, I️ also believe comfort trumps perfection every time! When you’re physically comfortable and unfettered it is much easier to relax and enjoy your date . So I️ suggest , go to your date as your beautiful comfy self – ready to engage and have fun !

2. Do what you want ! I️ know this sentence can be interpreted in so many salacious ways. However, I simply mean that you should be open to new experiences. Live in the moment and enjoy the process. If you’ve gone to dinner and neither party is ready to call it night – go another place – and another -and another and so on. Don’t subscribe to rigid dating norms – shake it up a bit and try something daring !

3. Have fun – a lot of it ! Dating can be so serious- all the questions about 5 year plans and past family dynamics can zap the fun right out of any promising date. Whilst I do believe in deep intellectual conversations and intimacy- I also believe in FUN! Laughter is essential to any long lasting relationship and by fostering a lighthearted exchange -this can definitely put your date night on a fast track to a good time!

4. Fuck it – not literally. Be yourself !! In this awful savage culture , honesty is not seen as the marker of emotional intelligence that it is . Instead transparency can be seen be an emotionally immature individual as a weakness. However , fuck it ! Speak your complete truth early on. The right suitor will not only respect it but will celebrate it ! Stay rare ! Stay true to yourself and your one will find you right where you belong – respecting and loving yourself !!

Happy dating ❤️

ashley+life: The Mad Man, the Magician and the Scientist

Going into business for yourself can be one of life’s greatest tests. All the unknowns and the pressure to create an income sheerly from one’s own ingenuity can be terrifying and yet exhilarating. The entrepreneur is a rare hybrid part mad man , part magician and scientist.

The mad man inside the entrepreneur is the one who looks uncertainty square in the face and still soldiers forward ,stumbling all the way . The mad man is the one who mumbles the mission statement of a business concept that exists only inside his own mind . Seeing the end result even before the beginning – the mad man works tirelessly to create the physical representation of the mental business that’s been there all the while. That mad man allows the entrepreneurial spirit to stay alive when all the failures and skepticism try to kill your business each day !

The magician in every entrepreneur captures the imagination in all of us – showing us that anything is possible. Just as a rabbit can appear from an empty top-hat so too can your dreams appear alive and well with a strong work ethic , research and proper execution! The magician finds the pleasure in life’s mundane moments. Honor the magician in your entrepreneurial pursuits by constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible!

Ooh the scientist!! The scientist inside each entrepreneur is ever curious about the world around them- analyzing and testing theories religiously. The scientist experiments with marked expectations and meticulously perfects business protocols and procedures until the perfect formula is created. The scientist compares and contrasts – studying the market and developing hypotheses about the failure of success of other businesses in the market . This insatiable desire for the procurement of knowledge keeps the entrepreneur sharp witted and well informed . Feed your inner scientist with a deluge of literature to challenge and stimulate your business mind .

To be an entrepreneur is to take a road less travel with sequined traveling boots and heart open for adventure! Long nights , empty accounts, dashed expectations and moments of hopelessness are par for the course but the journey is divine and the rewards are great !! Solider on !

How Close Are You to Reaching Your 2017 Goals?

“Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.” – Tony Robbins

A lot can happen in a year. The 365 day calendar is a blank canvas where anything can and often does happen . With the end of the year quickly approaching, it’s the perfect time to self assess and reevaluate your progress. Here are 4 simple tricks to help achieve those 2017 goals.

1. Write down the objectives . If you have more than one , write each on a separate page. A study by Harvard MBA program found that students who had goals and wrote them down made on average 10 times more money than students who had no goals or written objectives .

2. By writing each objective on a separate paper , you can focus your attention on just one goal at a time . Create a schedule that narrows in on 1 to 2 daily tasks that will help reach a weekly targets to accomplish a monthly target.

“If you spend too much time thinking about a thing , you’ll never get it done.”- Bruce Lee

3. Be accountable with your time. Your time is an invaluable asset. It is the one asset you can never recoup. Monitor your time by setting up black out periods – when social media and other distractions are eliminated. Try using leisure time as an incentive for completed tasks !

4. Do better! Each milestone you make is a time for personal introspection. Pushing yourself at each check point in your goal process is a great way to be in constant growth mode! 2018 is going to be a record breaking year – let’s prepare by finishing out 2017 strong !!

ashley + music: Singer/ songwriter Yebba new single “Evergreen”

Singer/ songwriter Yebba Smith has been a vocal treasure in the indie music world for years , but with the release of her newest single this powerful is set to become a household name. “Evergreen”, is a lyrically rich melodic journey bringing the listener on a soulful , folky ride. Yebba’s other-worldly vocal control and gospel -reminiscent texture create a colorful and thought-provoking mid tempo indie soul / adult contemporary instant classic. Having recently been scouted by pop/folk superstar Ed Sheeran, Yebba is a vocal rising star too bright not to pay attention to.”Evergreen” is available on all major digital music vendors including ITunes. Be sure to grab your copy today , you won’t be disappointed .

-Ashley Lewis

7 Daily Affirmations for Creatives

1. I am perfectly created. My thoughts ,my ideas & my intentions are valid. I will allow the God in me to shine through all I touch.

2. My art is purpose filled. Someone is counting on my willingness to share of myself. I will go into the spaces within myself in order to pull out my best so that others may heal through my healing .

3. I will finish what I start today . Today is a gift and I will blissfully unwrap the inspiration that awaits this day .I have all that I need to be exactly what I was purposed to be. Today I will operate in that knowing – with confidence and gratitude.

4. My art is important- it is my tether to the Creator and my beacon His people.I am a conduit of God’s grace and beauty. I will intentionally allow His will to be done through my art.

5. I am vessel of God’s best intentions. I will respect my art . It is sacred and unique. It transcends . Through it I become , through me it becomes. My art and I are one. I will enjoy my art and my journey-for both are sacred.

THE PURSUIT OF REAL HAPPINESS

ashley + life

I followed the template – I graduated from high school, got accepted to a great college, earned my Bachelors and promptly dove into the job market. Sounds pretty typical right? Well that’s the problem –I was struggling to find decent employment, pay off student loans and maintain some measure of peace in my life. Whilst working at a law firm as an administrative assistant, I had an ah-ha moment. Why was I getting on the train 3 hours before work only to have to wait at a cafe around the corner until my office opened, just to be on time? Why was I devoting my youthful years to a company that would never help me see real wealth or happiness? Why was I working hard everyday only to be on an extremely fixed income with little chance of advancement in my current position?

I started waking up at night with…

View original post 257 more words

ashleypluslife.wordpress.com: THE PURSUI

ashleypluslife.wordpress.com: THE PURSUIT OF REAL HAPPINESS: I followed the template – I graduated from high school, got accepted to a great… http://wp.me/p2Wkuk-l

life+love:Love on a Budget: Finding Great Gifts at Cheap Prices on Flash Sites

With Valentines Day quickly approaching, many procrastinators have found themselves looking for options. Buying holiday gifts at the last minute can be both frustrating and expensive .But fear not, your fellow procrastinator has come to the rescue!! I have put together a frugal lovers dream list of flash sale sites which to feast your cheap little eyes upon. Now granted whilst these sites offer brand name products at ridiculously low prices, shipping can be tricky so make sure you double check the shipping options before you checkout. But,” late is better than never”, I always say.

For the Watch Lover

www.ewatches.com

For the wine-o

www.winestilsoldout

For the Sexy Type

www.sensualsteals.com

For the Tech Head

www.techforless.com

For the social butterfly

www.livingsocial.com

For the fashionistas and the  fashionistees

www.redtag.com

For the Décor Junkie

www.decorsteals.com