Antigua. Chicken Buses. The beautiful journey home.

Imagine cobblestone streets, colonial architecture, a Centre square lush with plants, birds, the tranquil sound of a water fountain that has been heard by the ears of passersby as far back as 1739.captivating Antigua; the original Guatemala city which now acts as the main tourist hub in Guatemala. It is rich with restaurants, bars, cafes and if you forgot to look up and see the volcanoes surrounding you, you'd feel lost in a perfect little European town.
You can find many comforts of home here in Antigua...especially in the ways of food.
Since this was the first place we stayed...it was important to both of us to get a little gritty first, and didn't opt for a nice bottle of wine and cheese - rather we dined out and acquired our first dinner together at a local street vendor.
Dinner was followed by drinks at Cafe Nosae, hitting the Irish pub, running into a travel friend of Alex's and concluded with a late night strol back to Hostilico Hostel.
As much as I have read and heard stories of the power and magesty of the lake when you experience it first hand...the whole world melts away and there is just beauty waking we decided, as we had loosely planned, to continue on our travels to the lake. Packed up our rucksacks and we were off in search of a chicken bus.
On a side note... At this point I am starting to realize how essential it is to speak Spanish!
(As I sit and write this I have just signed up for Spanish lessons...but its one week after the events I am currently writing about...more on this later)
Chicken buses. Holy shit. I am sat beside local Mayans...there are probably over 60 of them surrounding me on a converted blue bird school bus originally designed for 30 people that is whipping through the Guatemalan streets at top speed.
Super crazy driving...but at this point not really a bother.
I was more concerned about my pack that had just been flung onto the roof while I ran to catch up to the already moving bus which I then jumped onto!
Talk about adventure.
5 more buses, 2 boats and about 4 hours later...Lake Atitlan.
We made it.
I will never forget the first time I laid eyes on my new home. The anticipation of the past year had settled and beyond the tropical landscape out in the distance there she was. Clear and calm the beauty of the ripples reflecting the sun's rays...a near perfect sight. I never expected to feel this overwhelming sense of joy, but it radiated from my heart and I couldn't help but cry.
One of the best moments of my life seeing the lake for the first time and I knew right then I was changed forever.

A new chapter begins

I can see the palm trees only from beyond the windows of Miami international airport...but can feel the heat sneaking in from random corridor openings. How close I am to the unknown...a few hours and I will touch down in Guatemala City. Feeling a sense of calm...but reassured by my partner that I am about to sh*t my pants soon enough ;)
Funny really. Its more fun than nerve racking.
Last night's farewell wine seems to still be lingering and I am drinking tea and water by the gallon!
It wasn't hard leaving - many goodbyes and safe travels spoken...the last weeks though overwhelming, were rich with life. Many conversations and time with friends, but the quiet reflection was essential and I enjoyed as much of it as I could. Enjoyment?? Perhaps not the most fitting way to describe the intensity of the conscious process...enriching rings more true.
This next chapter will bring a whole new set of challenges; rock on.
Slept most of this flight... Lost in the melody of a few albums on my iPod. Visions of what is to come. Revisiting my intentions and knowing I am exactly where I need to be. I created it all.
I now find myself watching the cloud-lined window of Taca airline...alone and quiet again. My partner in crime is behind me somewhere in the sea of Spanish conversation...as the reality sinks in...40 minutes from landing; prepare to be wowed.
The rum and coke is like a breathe of fresh air as the aircraft begins to make its decent.
I lay my eyes on a foreign landscape; wide awake.

Metta = loving kindness

As the two week mark to departure continues to approach I find myself having similar conversations with my closest friends. All of them with kind words and heartfelt insights. Their kind words are ones of excitement but help keep me grounded - as I am still here, now. In Canada. I am thankful to be right where I am.
My Family. A topic of importance. Friend's insights remind me to be light, compassionate and kind when speaking with them about my travels.
In the whirlwind of working and planning I have remembered that it is hard for them to watch me go.
So this post is just to simply recognize you, my sweet family and friends for your loving kindness.
...and a very special mention to my mama for this picture and her inspiration for this post.
Metta,
Ashley.

simplicity. and adventures from the heart

have not visited my blog in quite some time...and with an upcoming adventure on the horizon i thought i should write a few words.
changed the picture on the top of this page to better reflect the present feel of not only my current daily thoughts...but also to honour the last year of my life. change. growth. and grounding. pure gratitude. I am so grateful for the journey.
won't get too much into the wonders of my process...but it's lead me to really value simplicity.
Simplicity and being myself. Letting those two grounding forces affect what i do.
"Let your Being, affect your Doing" not the other way around.

looking forward to sharing my adventures of being.

Peace out!
-A

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