Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right!

Over the last few weeks I have been exposed to an extreme amount of driven, excited, yet challenged women. Myself included. As my pageant sisters and I prepare for the national competition (taking place in less than 4 weeks now!) we are carrying with us a plethora of emotions.

It is easy to let the idea of winning and competition challenge our thoughts, unless we choose to remember that every thing we do in this life is about the journey and the experience. At the end of the day, each of us will show up to our national competition as our very best self. However, only one girl will win, and it isn't up to us who that person will be. The only thing within our control is being entirely ourselves, prepared for greatness no matter what the outcome of the competition is on July 3rd.

What I've come to realize in sports, pageantry, work, and life in general, is that as long as you are showing up with your best self and your best intentions, you've already won - always. We just can't allow ourselves to forget about enjoying the journey.

What I've gained through my experience with the Miss United States Organization to date has been life-changing. This organization is a fully supporting family of talented, ambitious and positive people. When I am feeling great about nationals, they are excited for me, and when I am feeling discouraged, they are right there to lift me back up. As I go on preparing myself for nationals, one thing continues to ring true:

"Whether you think you can or you think you can't - you are absolutely right."

4 weeks to go - lets do this!

An Uplifting Sisterhood

My life is full of many blessings, and I am grateful for the prosperity and good fortune I have experienced this year. However, that doesn't mean I am living without my own versions of challenge and hardship.

Yesterday was an unexpectedly difficult day for me, where I suddenly felt many of the things I was excited about vanishing before my eyes. It is easy to become sad, disheartened, and even lose confidence in oneself when things don't work out the way we once hoped. For hours yesterday I felt frustrated, sad, angry, and hopeless, wondering what I could have done better. I felt as if I was left to tackle the world entirely on my own, but as an unconfident Ashley.

I wasn't.

What I realized during this moment of weakness is how much love and goodness there is beyond the let-downs, if only we give ourselves the opportunity to see them. I had a pageant event last night with some women very close to me who reminded me that I am amazing just the way I am, and being myself is absolutely good enough -- always.

Why is this remarkable?

Because of the incredible sisterhood and example shown by these strong, confident and powerful women. My pageant sisters within the Miss United States Organization go out of their way to lift each other up. And by doing so last night, they helped to reinstill the confidence I had briefly lost.

Pageantry truly is about so much more than a pretty girl with a shiny crown. It is about banding together to lift, encourage, and support each other. We all work toward the common goals of confidence and happiness, and to receive that support yesterday was something that reminded me how special my pageant family is, and how blessed my life is.

Everyone goes through tough circumstances. However, no matter what hardships we're dealing with in life, we are never left to tackle the heartache on our own. By recognizing the many blessings that still remain, and understanding how truly amazing you are, there isn't a thing or person in the world who can take away your confidence or powerful self.

Today is May 1st. Its a new day, a new month, and a new beginning. I am empowered to be the best Ashley I can be every day, but today, more than ever, I want to conquer the world not by myself, but with the love and support of the many wonderful people in my life. At the end of the day, everything happens for a reason. If I have faith and believe that I am exactly where I am meant to be, then there is absolutely nothing to fear.

We are all perfect and amazing just the way we are - and that's all we need to be!