Ashley Strong Smith - Coach | Podcast Host | Photographer | Author
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Ashley Strong Photography and Live an Illuminated LiFe 

4/24/2014

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Upon arriving back into the States
after living in and teaching English on Mafia Island, Tanzania,
I was greeted by culture shock,
sadness
and ultimate confusion.  

I had just experienced one of the most life altering realities I have had to that date.
It was a dream fulfilled that was just an idea for as long as I could remember.
My time in Tanzania came and went too soon.
Once back in the States,
I was at a loss.
I longed.
I hurt.
I yearned to go back.
To be back.

After some quick research on this good ol’ thing we refer to as the Internet, 
I found a quaint yoga studio in Oceanside, California called Black Sheep Yoga.
I immediately went to the first possible class.
That one class turned into another
and another
and many,
 many others. 
Within days of joining the Black Sheep Yoga community,
I took a class by none other than Belinda Pearl. 

Her accent immediately brought me back to Tanzania 
as it was all too familiar.
She is from South Africa.
A place that has,
well,
become my second home.

I took class after class of hers
and quickly found myself attracted to her workshops.
One evening,
oh such a magical evening,
I took a meditation workshop from Belinda.
The moments within that workshop have all soaked into the nadis of my energy imprint 
and cannot be defined by words.

But,
what happened after that class
can.
Picture
I went home.
And immediately did two things.

Rearranged my entire room.
As it had been the same since before I left for Tanzania.
And on that night,
it was time to externally express the internal shifts that occurred while abroad.  

The second,
a vision board,
a dream board.
The sketches started that evening
and the board was created piece by piece within the following weeks.

The changes of my external space,
put me in a state of constant peace.
I came home
and the flow of my breath shifted,
immediately shifted. 
Picture
The vision board,
this dream board,
the realities of my existence
just haven’t been the same since.

I put that which spoke to me.
Teaching and living in Costa Rica.
Communicating through my photography.
Being a cultural photographer. 
Spreading peoples realities. 
Turning my visions into realities.
Women’s empowerment.
Living through consciousness,
positivity,
fruitfulness,
purity.
Inspiring youth.
Following my yoga passion.
Teach by doing.
Reconnecting with the soul I met in Tanzania.
And on
and on
and on.

This board.
This colorful explosion of my insides outward.
It lived on my wall.
A space that I acknowledged everyday.
It hung in a way,
that simply shined. 

In the moments of being completely overwhelmed,
it served as my reminder to stay focused.
In the moments of sadness,
it served as my reminder to that sadness is just as welcomed as the happiness.
In the moments of happiness,
it served as my reminder to share that happiness, to expand not hide that feeling.  
In the moments of determination,
of frustration,
of pure love,
of confusion,
of blissfulness,
it continued to serve as a reminder to stay in the present, 
to speak my truth, 
to make these “visions and dreams” realities.
Picture

This,
this brings me to the present moment. 

Sitting in my room in Costa Rica, 
surrounded by 
and supported with so much love.

Those elements listed above
have,
 quite honestly
manifested into beautiful realities.

Everyday I am filled with so much abundance
and overwhelmed with love and support.

I share this story, 
these present moments 
to bring you to a manifestations of that within my dream/ vision board 
of communicating through and with my photography 
of teaching by doing 
of connecting 
of sharing realities of beautiful souls such as Belinda Pearl with and around the world. 

I am honored to be collaborating with this dear sister, 
this very woman spoken about in the lines before.

Ashley Strong Photography and Belinda Pearl – Mind, Body and Soul Mentor with Live an Illuminated Life 
are sharing our truths to inspire others.

Each day, 
Belinda shares insights to inspire you along a journey of total unfoldment to discover the path of illumination,
 inner peace + balance wrapped within Ashley Strong Photography’s photographs.

The photographs within these inspirations are from my travels around the world.
More specifically South Africa, Tanzania and Costa Rica. 

To see these daily inspirations, please like and follow Soul Fusion and Ashley Strong Photography! 

As always,
thank you so much for your support and sharing my journey with me!
Please share these photos, 
please expand this inspiration to your community, 
to new eyes and souls! 
Much love 
and many blessings! 
Picture
Below is a deeper insight into the soul sister behind these creations, 
Belinda Pearl - Mind, Body and Soul Mentor with Live An Illuminated Life.

I believe that no words can truly describe one's essence fully. What I share with you here is one simple facet of many, moving variables, essences and dimensions of myself.

My journey started very clearly one day, awakening as a very young child in the early morning hours feeling that I "finally arrived in my body". Ever since then, I have had this strong inner calling that has never waver throughout all my life experiences - to fulfill my higher purpose.

Having grown up across the oceans in Africa - one becomes innately connected and attuned to the energies of the Earth, spiritual realms and healing. My curiosity and intrigued with healing, mind-body-soul, and intuitive work started early in life leading me to naturally pursue studies in multiple healing modalities, mystical arts and metaphysics. I have been blessed to study under various naturally, gifted healers - each one unlocking a very particular essence within me - awakening me to my Soul Purpose in life.  

In fulfilling my Soul Purpose, I offer services in helping Soul's discover balance, harmony, love, peace, truth, aligned them with their Soul Mission and  living an "Illuminated Life".

The flow of life has taught me that everything is "divinely timed", that there is no one way to do anything, and that each of us are entirely unique and precious.

Everyday is a blessing, giving me the opportunity to fulfill my Divine Purpose, to learn, share, heal and inspire others.
Take each moment at a time!

Blessings,
Belinda Pearl.
Live An Illuminated Life.
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  • Welcome
  • About
  • Coaching
    • 1:1 Coaching
    • Membership : Intentional Living Collective
    • Retreat : Intentional Living Weekend Immersion
    • 2025 Workshops
  • Podcast
  • Photography
    • Portfolio >
      • Weddings
      • Couples and Engagements
      • Families
      • Lifestyle
    • Resources >
      • Favorite Locations
      • Preparing for your Session
      • Planning Our Wedding
  • Contact