a satisfied heart.

To my fellow SEVA challengers:

I wanted to share my thoughts about this amazing journey we have all embarked upon. It's been quite the road so far as I am sure we all know!

It's been over a month since I returned home from Off the Mat's (OTM) Leadership training at Omega NY, but I am continuously reminded and inspired by the container of support that I became a part of those amazing 5 days. Whether it is emailing the ladies at OTM, Facebook chatting with our BE Fierce OTM group, reaching out to my own community, telling anyone and everyone about "Lady for Haiti" - I continue to be inspired.

Going into the training I felt like there was something I was searching for - truly feeling disconnected from community, and that there was something i was supposed to be "doing" with myself that I was not already.

This is true, however, that 5 day intensive and now this project - has allowed me to realize that community support is ALWAYS there - people are out there. I feel absolutely humbled to realize that there was not a lack of community existing, but rather my heart's involvement with my own community was not as strong as it could have been. Feeling all the time that I was "doing everything alone"... I will never again.

It is said that "once the mind is stretched by an idea....it will never again regain it's original dimensions" - this is where i am at. Lit up. Shining brighter.

My practice and all that I do with this leadership initiative has helped to stretch me - and in all it's vulnerability of launching myself out there into the insanely amazing yogi world that already surrounded me; I am empowered. The more excited I get, the more I share - the more I share, the more amazing people flow into my life. I am changed. I am humbled. I practice everyday and I love yoga again. Something I would not have said only a few months ago.

Some days are harder than others; it's a huge 4 month goal, raising $20,000, but I have painted it on my heart that everyday is the best day and I continue to plant seeds, work hard and enjoy the journey.

Over the training I created the affirmation: "I am satisfied and grateful to how well is my HEART into what I do".

My heart pours into EVERYTHING I do and with that in mind, that is all that matters.

Much love & peace to you all.

Dream big,

Ashley "Lady for Haiti" Lord

http://www.ashleylord.com/haiti.html

http://www.offthematintotheworld.org/haiti.html

Shine bright

"It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us" - Marianne Williamson.

Do we fear the ideas and powerful notions we come up with?

Do we fear failure - does this hinder our success?

Do we not think ourselves worthy of recognition for the good that we do?

Are we afraid to speak our truth and listen to our heart?

Is this true for you?

What hold's you back - in this moment? In any moment?

Words from my amazing teacher Hala Khouri..."on the other side of fear is everything we have ever wanted"

Let yourself dream bigger, shine brighter, reach higher - fear is your friend!

Love Ashley

Lady for Haiti! - "In Union there is Strength"

"L'union fait la force" (In union there is strength) - the famous inscription on the Haitian flag. A beautiful parallel - this UNION - one of the most basic definitions of Yoga.

Through a project called "Lady for Haiti", my campaign efforts for Off the Mat, Into the World's SEVA Challenge, I will raise $20, 000 for sustainable relief efforts in Haiti...by Dec. I will travel there in Feb. with Off the Mat to share love and do service work.

Last week I had the pleasure of attending Leadership Training at the Omega Center, NY with Off the Mat, Into the World. An organization that uses the power of Yoga to Inspire conscious, sustainable activism and to Ignite grassroots social change.

The week intensive was just that, an intense experience and powerful combination of self inquiry through yoga asana, lecture and group work. This deep processing ultimately broke us down - so as to wake us up. I am ignited, lit up and awake to fresh new possibilities that await me!

This beautiful practice of yoga, has impacted individuals bringing this grand union of community into being. So much inspiration and positivitly flowing from yoga mat and studio into the world, creating change, opportunity and possibility!

It is my greatest honour and freedom to be harmonized and united with myself through the practice of yoga. Now after this training, after breaking down to light up; it absolutely excites me to use this tool of Yoga and commit to the support efforts in Haiti.

I will guide people together in teaching yoga classes and workshops to raise money and awareness to a well deserved Haitian community in need. In UNION, In YOGA, There Is STRENGTH.

Much love.

Take a moment to check out the campaign...donate funds to the people of Haiti and receive FREE yoga from ME!

http://www.ashleylord.com/haiti.html

Enjoy Less

some words from my favourite blog: mnmmlist

...Stop buying the unessesary
toss half your stuff, learn contentednesss
reduce half again
list 4 essential things in your life, do these first
stop doing the non-essential
clear distractions, focus on each moment
let go of attachment to doing, having more.

fall in LOVE with LESS.

Love, Ashley