From the age of seven, Ashley Nemeh knew she wanted to be a performer. She grew up singing in church, and used performing as a way to build her confidence. Teased as a child, Ashley found solace in music. Her father was a source of inspiration to her, and his guidance helped her overcome her stage fright.
“Just look at the crowd,” he would tell her. “Just pretend this is a normal way of being. You have to keep going and not allow anything to make you nervous — you have to keep going and do what you’re best at.”
One day in school, Ashley’s teacher gave her the opportunity to use her skills in confidence. Despite being a happy student, Ashley didn’t have much confidence when speaking in school. And when her teacher brought out her guitar and told the class they would be auditioning to sing a duet for reconciliation at church, it wasn’t the 1200 expected attendees Ashley feared most — it was her classmates!
But Ashley decided to go for it, and it was worth it. The duet turned into a solo, and it was all Ashley’s. As soon as she began to sing, her classmates were in awe. She became “the girl who could sing.” She went from being bullied to being admired, and overcame the intimidation and bullying.
Singing continued to help Ashley build confidence and grow in her faith. When enduring tough times, Ashley would remind herself that Jesus is her best friend, and she’s not alone.
Fast forward from being seven years old to the red carpet in Nashville: Ashley’s confidence was once again in question. So she turned to her faith; she remembered her father telling her that fear is not from God, it’s up to you to get through the hurdles and find bliss.
Ashley finds herself constantly looking to God for strength. One important takeaway is that regardless of being a celebrity, a young person in high school, or a new mother, hard times affect us all. No matter who you are or what challenge you face, you can do anything you put your mind to. Even if you’re having a hard day, not feeling well or had the worst thing in the world happens to you, it’s up to you to pick yourself up and trust that God will get you through it.
Ashley’s advice is to keep going and keep focusing, and you will tap into a source that is greater than your sword. You’re able to become one with God and that’s when the most amazing things will happen.
And just like her songs aren’t sung perfectly the first time she sings them, Ashley recognizes it takes practice and ongoing effort put forth in every other aspect of her life, too.
When you put things on autopilot, it won’t work the same way as when you put forth real effort. Neither life nor God work that way. God wants you to show Him love and affection, and he will give it back to you. Whatever you put out into the world, you will receive in return.
Everybody has their days, but at the end of the day you can’t allow depression, anxiety, fear, hatefulness or jealousy get to you. At the end of the day, when you go through hard times, remember those who love you: your family, friends and God.
Whenever Ashley faces an obstacle, she prays for God to help her through it and through her partnership with God, she is able to again and again take action and overcome hardships. Any partnership is not 50-50; it’s 100-100 or it will never work.
As for Ashley’s favorite event she’s performed at, the most fulfilling to her is at church. Feeling God through each church performance, it is then that the realizes she’s been called to perform. Ashley encourages others to look within themselves and find that voice. Find that source of strength which is God within you to help you be the best version of you possible in mind, body, soul and spirit. And remember, beauty begins within.
