Three Things I Do Well and A Bit More

 Hi, I’m Judith Ashley, author of The Sacred Women’s Circle series, soul nourishing romantic women’s fiction with light paranormal elements. My stories show you what life could be like if you had a place like The Circle where you are unconditionally accepted, supported and loved. And where, with this support, you make choices to overcome the darkest nights of your life to choose love and light.

One might think this would be an easy-peasy topic but for someone who was raised with the message it was WRONG to toot one’s own horn, it can be a struggle. So I asked my Very Best Friend in the Whole World what she thought were three things I do well.

Well, she didn’t want to tell me three things I DO well. So instead she told me three things/traits she thinks I have in abundance.

Her list:

Loyal
    Since I consider loyalty a non-negotiable trait in my close relationships, I totally agree with her on this one.

Honest
     I vividly remember the few times I lied in my younger years. I got caught. Needless to say, the embarrassment was worse than the consequences. It just isn’t worth it. Having said that there are times when I emphasize something beyond what’s the actual fact in my life. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve done that.

Gratitude
     I look for the best, the brightside, the upside. For the most part, I give people the benefit of the doubt. I’ve found that a Gratitude practice helps me deal with those days that are more challenging.

I don’t disagree with that list and am not surprised to Not See patience. I may not be totally lacking in that trait however I do not have anywhere near an abundance of it. In fact, right now as in today, it is in Short Supply. Does it help? No, being impatient doesn’t help nor does it speed things up. The saying “Accepting Life on Life’s Terms” is a daily challenge for me.

I have worked diligently over the decades to be able to toot my own horn so here are mine.

1.     Planning, Organizing and Implementing
Disorganization is painful especially now when a health issue or two prevents me from getting in and getting it done. The sense of accomplishment at the end of a project is a euphoric high for me.

2.     Seeing the other side of an issue
This ‘skill’, while it serves me well, also gets me into a bit of trouble at times because it is extremely easy for me to play “Devil’s Advocate” and sometimes my friends just want to vent.

3.     Regularly checking in with myself on my efforts to live by my Core Values/Beliefs.
There have been times in my life when I’m not as ‘on purpose’ with this one and it shows up in all phases of my life including a good night’s sleep. My Core Beliefs are about living a mindful life and include such things as

“We each have our own path and have the right to traverse it   without righteous interference from others.”

“There is enough ~ I have enough and always will.”

Whether it is the list my friend made or my own, when I look at one accomplishment that brings me great joy – my writing – I can see these traits and deeds in each of the stories. A Sacred Women’s Circle is founded on the traits of loyalty, honesty, abundance (enough) and acceptance (the other side of an issue) among others.

How do you organize your life?
How do you deal with difficult situations?
Where do you rely on your Core Values to see you through a tough time?

You can find my books at your favorite e-book vendor as well as through my website www.JudithAshley.net and Windtree Press. Print books are available at Jan’s Paperbacks in Beaverton, OR and Arte Soleil in Portland, OR. Get the addresses from my website. And be sure to ask your library if you’d prefer to read my books through that resource.

Learn more about Judith's The Sacred Women’s Circle series at JudithAshley.net

Check out Judith’s Windtree Press author page.

You can also find Judith on FB! 

© 2024 Judith Ashley

Certainty, Change and Core Values by Judith Ashley

Hi, I’m Judith Ashley, author of The Sacred Women’s Circle series, romantic women’s fiction with light paranormal elements. My stories show you what life could be like if you had a place like The Circle where you are unconditionally accepted, supported and loved. And where, with this support, you make choices to overcome the darkest nights and choose love and light.

When the Blog Queens were brain-storming 2021 topics the fall of 2020, we were still thinking more about the changes that come automatically to many in September: change in seasons; school in session, those rather “normal” activities that have been part and parcel of our lives for decades.

Judith at Jan's Paperbacks

This past year brought many changes to my life. You may think it was mask wearing but that would not be so. I’ve worn a mask during flu and allergy season for years.

So what has been different?

Reframing my world is #1.

What does that mean?

I grew up hearing the phrases “The only things certain are death and taxes” and “The only thing certain is change itself.” Over the decades of my own life, I learned that death is certain but there are people who never pay taxes. Until this year, I did think there were parts of the world around me that I could count on. However, that turned out to not be true.

When certainty is lost and our world crumbles fear, anxiety, anger and depression are common responses to that loss. A key question is “Does our world have to crumble?”

Well, mine did for several weeks until I remembered to use what I know works and what I shared in my book Staying Sane in a Crazy World.

The truth is being uncertain is uncomfortable at best unless we have a core of certainty within us upon which to draw. Where do we find this core of certainty? I find mine within my Core Values. Core Values are dependent on us alone. They may be framed to include others because we always believe people who share our values will have a better life, however, that is assuming everyone else sees the world as we do. And that just isn’t how the world works even if it is how we want it to work.

Here are three of my Core Values that support my inner certainty.

We are all connected to The Devine and thus are threads in The Fabric of The Universe which means we are all Sacred.

All experiences have a “gift” in them. It is my responsibility to find it.

We are all doing the best we can given our past and present life experiences, our goals/dreams/wants.

What do you draw upon when the uncertainty in the outer world threatens your inner peace and thus your inner certainty?

If you are not yet on my mailing list, you can sign up for Choices here. I’ve created a new free offering that includes the novella Sarah’s Ankh along with the first chapter of Lily: The Dragon and The Great Horned Owl. I hope you enjoy them.

Look for my next non-fiction Yes, You Can Create The Life You Love this fall.

All of my books are available at your favorite e-book vendor. Be sure to ask your local library if you’d prefer to read my books through that resource.

Learn more about Judith's The Sacred Women’s Circle series on her website JudithAshley.net

Follow Judith on Twitter: JudithAshley19

Check out Judith’s Windtree Press author page.

You can also find Judith on Facebook!

© 2021 Judith Ashley