I Am A Quarter Horse...

Of late, my blogging is being done via www.ashleecastle.theworldrace.org


Why? Because, I'm leaving in September for an 11-month long mission trip! I'll be serving in 11 different countries around the globe with constant intent to spread God's love and share the message of Salvation. 


I definitely miss Writer's Block, so I'll do my best to keep a few posts going up here periodically, but for now, it's much easier to keep up with me via the World Race blog… click the link below to read the latest! ;-) 


I Am A Quarter Horse…


Be Blessed!
-Ashlee

Lessons Learned from Willie G

This one is LIVE… straight from Central Park. What started out as a rainy walk from Times Square to the park’s outer edge has turned into a gorgeous, sun-shiny day, leaving me free to enjoy an afternoon of people, dog and bird watching from a million different rocks, benches, nooks and crannies of my favorite NYC location. I am totally in love with this place. Kudos to whomever was the 1800’s genius who thought up the concept (as much as I love to be here, you’d think I’d do a little research on the history). Something about nature, the laid-back, smiling, happy attitudes, vibrant colors, and the meshing of good parts of so many different lives smack in the middle of a city bustling with life, business, and productivity represents life as I think it should be. J That whole “stop and smell the roses” (or in today’s case, the begonias...) idea is wholeheartedly worth the hourly, daily,weekly, annual break we should each allow ourselves.

The highlight of my day, although my hot dog and spicy mustard was fantastic, was a five-minute conversation with a man (presumably) named Willie G. As I rested and waited out the rain in front of The Dairy (now a gift shop and visitor’s center for Central Park) a skinny black man approached, extended a brightly colored piece of paper and asked if I’d like to buy one of his poems. I’ve become quite adept at dismissing this sort; as my Sunday School teacher once said, “a fella could empty his bank account pretty quickly giving a dollar to everyone who begged for one.” In NYC, it wouldn’t take more than a block or two’s meander. Alas, something about Willie made me ask, “Whaddya got?” He sat down beside me and began to tell me his story…

My name’s Willie G. I’m a poet. I used to be homeless, but now I got a room in Brooklyn. $160 a month.

Not bad, Willie. My name’s Ashlee.

How you doin’ Miss Ashlee? Where you from, Brooklyn?

Nah, I’m from Kentucky.

Really? I used to work in Kentucky… Fried Chicken.

Side note: (Is KFC really all we are known for?)

KFC is some pretty good stuff, eh?

Yeah, it is. Guess what, yesterday I had on my white hoodie and my Kentucky Wildcats cap.

Oh yeah? They’re going to be playing again Saturday.

Yup, playing against Louisville.

Who’re you pulling for?

I’m a Kentucky fan.

I knew I liked you, Willie.

Haha. Thanks. You know what, no matter who wins

, your state definitely has something to be proud of. Either way, someone is going to the big game.

That’s true. So how much will one of your poetry books cost me?

I’m really just trying to get something to eat. Sometimes I get five dollars, sometimes $10. Just depends. How long are you in town for?

A few weeks.

Cool. You’ll have to come back here. This is my spot.

Oh yeah? You’re always here?

Well, I’m all over. Sometimes at Penn Station. I got kicked out of Grand Central, even though I told them I’m just an old man selling poems. What do you do?

I’m looking to get into some Mission work.

Like the people from… Utah? (I had to laugh.)

No, no, I’m Baptist. I’d just like to travel around and help people.

That’s good. People always need that. I met some of the Utah folks; they’re good people.

Yep. We’ve all got a right to believe how we choose. I just think Christianity is best.

Me too, me too.

The rest of the conversation left me with a few less dollars and a couple new poems, but more importantly, Willie G reminded me how important it is to give every person their due opportunity in your life. I’m reminded all the time that one of the first things I ever noticed about my best friend was that she made conscious effort to speak to or make conversation with anyone helping her (cashiers, wait staff, etc.) I’ve often tried to model this, but like a lot of habits, I sometimes let it get away from me. Remembering to value every existing and potential relationship leads to a lot more “Willie G” moments. And I certainly could use as many more of those as God will allow. I’ll close with one of the poems Willie G gave me, and if he’s still hanging at Central Park, I hope he found a hot dog as good as mine!

Be Blessed,

Ashlee

Think

Think before you speak your mind or let your temper loose.

Think before dismissing duty with a weak excuse.

Think before you let a true relationship go under.

Think before you risk a job or make a senseless blunder.

Think before you give your word, then let another down.

Think before you turn a stable moment upside down.

Think before you treat your body’s health with disrespect.

Think before you let your future fall into neglect.

Think before you hurt someone, ignore another’s feelings.

Think how simply selfishness can motivate your dealings.

Think before your self-respect subsides and keeps on shrinking.

Think before you get into a habit of not thinking.

With love from Willie G, The Poet of New York City

My Day with FRIENDS

I must give credit where credit is due… thanks to constant reference and quotation of the series, first in high school from Julie D. then during State Officer year with Q.P., somewhere along the way I developed quite the affinity for F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Lately I've taken advantage of every opportunity to catch TBS and MTV provided reruns, and link me to the bandwagon all you

want, this is some seriously great TV! (Granted, save Grey's Anatomy and a few other occasional views, I'm far more partial to 90's/early 2000 sitcoms than I am toward anything airing these days.) Alas, spurred by my recent heightened interest in the series that swept the nation, I thought it would be fun during this extended NY adventure to checkout Greenwich Village, where the series was largely set.

Gotta hand it to him, Q.P. knew right away exactly where I was just by looking at this pic. :-)

Along the walk from 42nd St. to approximately 8th St. (where I was officially in Greenwich Village) and then while mulling in Washington Square Park, I had some time to let my imagination roam. I couldn't help thinking how cool it would be to live somewhere like this, have five of my closest friends living with or near me, spend time in our routine "haunts," have a "usual" at a local eatery (if you're ever in Greenwich Village, I highly recommend Two Boots Pizza - be sure to try a Fizzy Lizzy!) I digress…

The longer I thought on this concept, the easier it became to see that a) there is no way I could limit myself to merely five close friends that I would want nearby, and b) I am blessed with one really eclectic group of folks to call my best pals!

For instance: some of my best friends have traveled the world, others barely step out of the county. There are farm kids with huge FFA backgrounds, sports gurus who've played at impressive levels, skilled culinary masters. Security guards, stay-at-home-parents, mad scientists, fitness lovers… Seriously this list could last all night.

I, for one, find that I am all the better for the diversity that this wide realm of camaraderie brings to my life. Though I am devout in my own beliefs and convictions, I consider myself open-minded, tolerant and able to co-exist with nearly all walks of life. I understand and respect that while we are each unique individuals, every life has something to offer another, and as my relationships both grow and multiply, I am ever happy to keep expanding my mind (and Facebook friends list) to include the gains to be made.

As blessed as I feel, there's no way I could fit my crew into a Greenwich Village apartment… but in the meantime, if anyone wants to buy me the compete season set of F.R.I.E.N.D.S., feel free. :o)

Be Blessed,

Ashlee

Walkin' On Sunshine

On days like today, I feel like this oldie-but-goodie, Katrina and the Waves hit was written especially for me! :-)

From the top, my day has consisted of: an early AM, heck-a-funny episode of Family Matters; a delicious Waffle House breakfast with my mom and grandparents; no hassle at Nashville airport, including a window seat on flight #1; two culinary scores at Baltimore/Washington airport - Strawberry Nirvana Jamba Juice and Almond Rice Stix (which my gluten-intolerant best friend can thank me for discovering!); an unbelievable phone call just moments after stepping off flight #2; multiple opportunities to be a good Samaritan; and now, clearly just a bit road weary (please overlook the FLAT hair) hanging out in front of an adorable train station turned Starbucks waiting on the VBFF, officially kicking off two weeks of no-planning-allowed adventure!!!

With every breath I take, it is reiterated that when God closes one door, he swings others WIDE OPEN! Talking with a friend earlier today, he suggested that he sometimes has difficulty waiting patiently for God to speak; I am much the opposite. It often takes all but a billboard smacking me in the forehead before I realize I'm being directed. Luckily, billboards seem to be cropping up left and right!

Stay tuned over the next few weeks - I'll have (undoubtedly) plenty of stories about my adventures in New York, an announcement worth checking out, maybe a realization or 1,000,000, and hopefully I'll just be able to ad a bright spot to your day!

VBFF should be arriving momentarily… I'm thinking adventure starts with dinner!

Be Blessed,

Ashlee

God found me at the SEC...

It never fails to leave me awestricken when God shows up in the most unexpected places…

March 7, 2012 - With our minds set on little else than a nine-hour drive and four days of basketball, Kentucky Wildcats ultimately prevailing - of course, my grandparents and I set out for New Orleans and the 2012 Men's SEC Basketball tournament.

Anyone who know's my grandparents knows that their passions are not limited to, but generally focus on: Family, Church, UK Basketball, and Gospel music!

My Grandparents outside our hotel in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

In keeping with my status of "favorite grandkid" (j/k C, P, M and M,) I've introduced them to the wonderful worlds of Pandora and YouTube, and namely the plethora of gospel songs we've been able to jam to while rolling down approximately 600 miles of interstate!

----> I must interject; we switched over to my Oak Ridge Boys station for a bit, and since then Pa has been walking around singing, "…you walk by and you shake that thang and you know I'm not that strong…" concerning Ma. I guess we'll classify this as sweet.

Back on the highway, I had them calling out requests of songs and Southern Gospel artists that they particularly enjoy, and via YouTube, we had any and everything imaginable at-the-ready. Alas, when my grandpa called out his all-time-favorite song, I inwardly groaned. I'm a fairly avid Gospel music fan myself, but like everyone, I have my preferences, and typically, I like to "keep it peppy!" (Just ask my choir director at Church - most Sundays I tell him to "get em' rockin'!") Not to let him down, I pulled up this video for Pa:

"God On the Mountain - The McKameys"

Barely through the first verse, I was hardly able to hold back tears. When I've been literally trying to get away from everything and practically everyone for the past week, God chose the farthest away point I'd reached to remind me that when I think I've shaken everyone else, He's still going to be there with me. More applicably, the friend He is during life's grandest highs is the same friend He is during our tremors and falls. As the song says, "You talk of faith when you're up on the mountain, but talk comes so easy when life's at it's best. But it's down in the valley of trial and temptation, that's when faith is really put to the test."

Trust that I am heeding my own advice; no matter how low you feel or how miserable a circumstance may seem, Hebrews 13:8 says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever." His love for us never changes. His plan for our lives never falters, and his ability to bring us through any situation is unwavering. Keep praising and thanking Him for what He can and will do in your life, then wait expectantly for your mountaintop to come again. :-)

(If any of the UK Basketball players should read this, let's pray extra hard that your valley against LSU has converted to a mountaintop over Florida!)

Be Blessed,

-Ashlee

Happily… Just

After yet another incredible lapse in blogging dedication, I'm baa-aacckk! ;-) Truth be known, I've been missing the rush of a pen in hand (or keys under fingers) for far too long. As someone who wholeheartedly believes and incessantly preaches, "everything happens for a reason," I suddenly find myself with a fair bit of free time and a passion with which to fill it.

About a month ago, I was challenged to intricately consider and design my next five years of life. Nerdy, albeit, but I sink my teeth into any method of personal development, so when presented with "Where Will You Be 5 Years From Today," by Dan Zadra, I was eight shades of giddy. What is difficult to convey is how in depth I've been able to analyze my values, my goals and my actions through dedicating time to working through and applying what this book has to offer. Please don't misunderstand; I'm in no way plugging for the book or the author. I simply want to share the concepts that have hit home for me.

1. If you're not happy, Be Happy!
What on Earth is the point of dragging your feet through the muck of a life you aren't in love with? Though I know it may seem easier said than done to overhaul your life, it's far more feasible to pinpoint what you believe is holding you back or would spring you forward, and then target that individual aspect of life for the change that it can make.

2. Give thanks.
Within about five minutes of being challenged to do so, I'd filled two pages with names of people who have made incredible impacts on my life. Just as I have not managed to make it to nearly 23 years old without accruing a fair few important relationships, I would guess the same is true for you. Commit to appreciating those impacts; drop a card in the mail, send flowers, call to ask what you can do to help them. Say thank you.

3. Pep it up!
Walk a mile a day. Go camping with friends. Plan a weekend stay-cation adventure. Bungee jump. Commit to P90X. SWEAT! I'm proud to announce that since Thanksgiving 2011, I've lost 25 lbs! Those who know me well know that confidence has never been an issue, especially in regard to self image, so I'm certainly not advocating that every person go out and lose weight. However, if the whole world could feel as physically and mentally amazing as I do, the challenge to get up and do SOMETHING would be no challenge at all. Embrace endorphins; they are not a myth!

None of these concepts are earth-shattering, rocket science equivalent or even… NEW. They are simply a call to commit, and moreover a call to recognize that YOU should be worth the effort to make your next five years the best five years you've ever had!

Until next time, Be Happy!
-Ashlee