Recently, I have began a road of self discovery and enlightenment into healing my innerself and loving myself to my fullest potential. When you decide to embrak on such a journey it is important to do as much research as possible, learn as much as can from those who are skilled, and to be open to being a student. I knew that one of the biggest things was that I need to follow women on my social media who would inspire, motivate and encourage me even if they werent aware of the impact they were making on me. One of those beautiful women I began to follow is Ashley J. Ashely ( @432hz_ twitter) caught my attention becasue of how open, vulnerable, and pure her words are. She seems to have a glow about the spritual and holistic realm when she speaks, that is very uplifting and encouraging especially for black women. What caught my attention to Ashley, is how much education she gives to our community for those of myself who arent skilled in everyhting. In particualr our chakra system. Ashley opned me up to a world I wasnt clear about and broke down so much for me to know and learn without feeling bad for not being exposed to these gems before. Ashley is very honest in her path and her truth and allows you to not to feel alone and afraid of making those changes that will give you a healthier life even its hard and difficult. I had a chance to interview Ashley ( I literally screamed with joy when she agreed to do the interview!!) and learn so much more about this mystical beauty.
Lynette: Can you give our readers a quick introduction of who you are? ( name, state you live in, college/major, and your craft or beliefs that make you unique and special etc…)
Ashley J: Hello everyone! My name is Ashley, I live in Maryland, attend Towson University, and I am currently majoring in writing (although my work extends far beyond my college education—and it will continue to more prominently in the near future, but more on that later)
Lynette: If you could describe your craft or beliefs in three words what would they be and why?
Ashley J:
Love, light, and mindful.
I think that everything I am is love. One of my favorite quotes from Ram Dass is “I’m not interested in being a ‘lover.’ I’m interested in only being love.” This idea that love is what we are rather than a feeling we have or an experience we share with our partner(s) or our friends or family.
Light comes from my yoga practice. In my work with yoga, I find there to be an expression of lightness in everything I do. Nothing is heavy or unintentional, everything is lightness. But you also just let things flow and you’re gentle and it all feels natural.
Mindfulness is one of the most important parts of my life. As I have struggled with anxiety for most of my life, being mindful has saved my
life more than once. Being mindful of myself as I relate to others, as I relate to myself, and as I relate to the Universe itself.
Lynette: What do you believe is your purpose and calling with your craft or beliefs and why?
Ashley J: I believe my purpose is to heal. I have become so fascinated by holistic healing, by the power of our minds and our souls to heal and to nurture. I believe I have power as a conduit for healing energy, and I look to channel that energy more in the future as I learn more about different types of work. I want to become certified in yoga to help people heal that way and I wish to be a doula as well. My calling over all is to help people recognize the power they have in healing and growth and to be a source of positive energy.
Lynette: What are 3 things that keep you motivated and or who inspires you to be your authentic self?
Ashely J:
· One thing which keeps me motivated are my past mistakes. I have to admit, I’m one of those people who never fully lets go of anything. But my perspective on these things changes. Most of what I used to see as negative I now can see as a lesson and as an opportunity to grow. So I am motivated by the pain I used to be in and the poor choices I made, because I saw how they broke me and others down, and I am pushed to do better as a result.
· My beautiful mother motivates me greatly. She has been a light for my entire life. I struggled a lot growing up and into even my late teenage years but her guidance really allowed me to become fully aware of myself and my purpose. I am eternally grateful for her love and support.
· I am motivated by black women in general. I mean I am motivated by other black women and by the experience of being a black woman myself. Our strength and our divine power and our beauty is a source of inspiration for me. I am so blessed to be part of a community of such beautiful energy.
Lynette: Why do you believe black women connect with you and your work so strongly?
Ashley J: I think I have started to become interested in this space that not many black women are very prominent in; i.e. plant-based/vegan eating, energy work, “witchcraft” (I say that apprehensively because I don’t consider myself a witch but it is a phrase used to categorize some of what I am passionate about such as crystals and sage) and particularly yoga and mindfulness. As a black woman, I think other black women are drawn to my interest in things that seem to be mostly reserved for white women. I want to live in a van and I want to do holistic work and continue to open up these spaces for other black women. I think this is a source of inspiration for my sisters who are also questioning where they fit into these “white” spaces.
Lynette: How has being a black women inspired you and your work?
Ashley J: How hasn’t it is the real question! I am constantly inspired by the struggle and the journey of black womanhood. I grew up in a predominantly white school where whiteness was the standard and I remember not really caring for my blackness and wanting to be so much like the white women who surrounded me. But I am in a space now where my black womanhood is one of the most important parts of my identity. I am inspired by our strength and our power but also by the necessity that we have to be available for ourselves and the importance of making space for us to do that.
Lynette: What are two things you would like for our readers to know about you and your platform?
Ashley J:
· I just keep it real, or I’m learning to.
· I am not perfect and my truth comes from being comfortable with imperfection and with being with myself fully, whatever that means.
Lynette: How has social media influenced your work or belief system in any way?
Ashley J: Social media has shown me and taught me SO MUCH. I honestly think that, next to yoga, social media has introduced me to myself so much. I have been exposed to so many things I never thought I would ever know and so many people who I didn’t know were out there. I have been influenced by so many beautiful souls from all over the world doing amazing healing work and I have really found so much spirituality through the work that they have shared.
Lynette: Where do you see yourself in a year with relation to continuing working with and inspiring black women?
Ashley J: Well, in a year I hope to be a doula. I also hope to be certified in my yoga instruction. With any luck, I’ll be making YouTube videos focusing on mindfulness, plant-based living, sustainability, and living in our truth. I’m also looking to start a podcast with a girlfriend of mine in the near future, which will be incredible and hopefully meaningful to a lot of black women like myself.
Lynette: How do you stay authentic to yourself and remain in your truth?
Ashley J: I just have to remind myself every day that “I am.” For me, this means that I am just existing and I am me and that that is beautiful and that I am on a path that will continue to unfold as it should. I have to realign a lot, like through meditation or yoga. I focus on my solitude and making sure I’m practicing proper self-care. It’s a process but I am learning to remain authentic to myself every day and becoming more comfortable with what that means.
Lynette: If you could give one piece of advice to our readers about being authentic and living in your truth, what would it be?
Ashley J: Let it be. Stop forcing yourself into boxes, stop trying, stop pushing yourself, just stop. Let it be. Let yourself breathe. Let yourself have space. And listen to yourself. Listen to what your soul is telling you, where you are being called to. Let it be.