Elevation

 “Sometimes the only way to transform from ordinary to extraordinary is during periods of isolation. Even the caterpillar knows the way to experience elevation.” ~Angela Shannon Ponder

Greetings Readers!

Excuse me while I take a moment to Reflect.

When I look back over my life, I recognize that I have learned many critical lessons… some good and some not so much, especially over the last decade or so. I’ve learned a lot about myself, what I like and what I don’t like, what brings me peace and what disturbs my spirit. I’ve also learned a lot about people. How they can distract you and throw you off course and how they can drain your energy stores if you let them. Each new year brings me greater understanding of my purpose and reveals to me a clearer path to get there. However, just when I think I am making a little bit of progress, here come the distractions again. Now don’t get me wrong, I do realize they have purpose as well, but I had to learn to balance my life and put all things that did not add value in their proper places. To do that it required me to have an elevation kind of mindset.


My peace is Resolute.

Let me tell you a little bit about peace. Peace is comforting. It’s calming. When the world is full of noise and gloom, peace is like a soothing sound in a silent room. Peace is preserving and once you get a taste of it, you will refuse to allow anyone in your life that threatens to disturb it. Yet there is one important aspect about peace that we should understand… not everyone knows how to access it for themselves. There are those who will even try to engage with a catalyst thinking they can help them crack the code. Truth be told, there are some really unhappy people in this world who are struggling with the absence of discipline, a lack of ambition, low self-esteem, fear and the inability to improve their own quality of life through skill, intellect or creativity. These same people will, unbeknownst to you, make YOU the object of their misery, simply because they can see the joy you are experiencing in your life and they don't know how to tap into it. NEVER let them draw you into their circus or make you feel bad about being happy. You are neither the source or the solution for their issues, so leave them with the freedom and opportunity to figure things out on their own. Be at peace with placing distance between you. Be okay with walking away. Their internal battle is not your concern. One thing I know for certain… at this stage in MY life, I refuse to pacify anyone else’s paranoia or insecurities to provide them with a plethora of peace.

My energy is a Resource.

Elevation sometimes requires you to go into isolation. It is occasionally necessary for you to step away so you can heal from experiences that may have left you bruised, reflect on possibilities, and discover new and exciting opportunities. It calls for you to step aside so you can prioritize you: your peace, your purpose and your passions. You are deserving, especially when you assess just how many demands you have on your time. Personally speaking, I am intentionally impactful in all of my efforts, so if I am called to fall back, my energy is missed. However, instead of me redirecting my energy to my own hopes and dreams in that moment, I tend to give it away, sometimes to people who are not even worthy of it. So many people need you, they lean on you for advice and guidance, your creative mind, your structure, your resources… you know, your time, talent and treasure. Yet with all that you have going on, sometimes you neglect a major part of your life that needs your attention in order for you to advance to your next level. Do you want to know what that is? YOUR GOALS. You are distracted daily, and going into solitude every now and then will help you recalibrate and silence the noise that continues to grab your attention. The noise that is diverting you from doing what you need to do for yourself, to instead do what you feel you have to do for others. So how can you elevate if you rarely devote the time? Let’s go deeper.

Let your decision be Resounding.

Be intentional. Elevation requires separation. It’s not personal, it’s purposeful. In other words, make time for yourself. Today… give yourself grace for the unhealthy patterns and decisions that you have made in life that disturbed your peace or prevented your progress. Going forward, honor order in your life and remove yourself from the company of anyone who creates disruption. Make it a point to not retain toxic ties. For your own well-being, they must be severed as soon as they are identified. Get to a place where you no longer waste energy where reciprocation is not respected. Remember that empty vessels in need of a refill are in search of someone like you for a fill up… never pour from an empty cup. They are not entitled to your abundance, so if you are not consciously and selectively supplying from an overflow, tell them, “NO.” Be authentic and true, because authenticity produces confidence, empowerment and alignment. Unauthentic people do not understand that assignment. Stop feeling guilty for your ambitions. You don’t owe anyone else anything and guilt will only give way to opportunists who come with an agenda… and the gag is, their intentions will never benefit YOU. Finally, stop waiting around for a handclap of praise. Learn to succeed without being affirmed and validated, clap for yourself when you need to be celebrated, and take time away to prepare to be elevated. You owe it to yourself.

We are so grateful that the gorgeous Tomecka Patterson joined us for this concept! Tomecka has a uniquely powerful presence about her that is so emerging that she just seems to jump off the page, yet in a quiet and peaceful way if that makes sense? She is like that “soothing sound in a silent room” and we absolutely LOVE working with her! We hope these words and images from our concept entitled, “Elevation” resonate. Until next time, enjoy!

MUA: 
Tynita Lee
Booking Info:
MakeUpbyTynita@gmail.com
Makeup by Tynita on Schedulicity.com
Instagram: @makeup_by_tynita


As always, thank you SO much for visiting our blog. Keep up with the Team at Photography by Sean Ponder by visiting our website at PhotographybySeanPonder.com or on FaceBook at Facebook.com/PhotographybySeanPonder (Like our page!). You can also follow us on InstaGram at Instagram.com/PhotographybySeanPonder.


Until next time, Peace, Love and Light!

Angela
The Creative Director