During the challenges I always find that I take a life lesson away with me to keep in my heart‘s treasure chest. This week’s challenge involved a lot of pressure for me. Not necessarily because of the requirements, but because of the external pressures and distractions of life and sick family members during the competition. This week involved a constant state of running from place to place .

There was running to and from hospitals and doctor’s visits with loved ones and running for the task at hand. In my stillness, I heard the reality of life. While I understand that most clients are not completely heartless, clients want results. Life will always keep moving. It is up to us to push through the affairs of life to accomplish that which we seek to obtain. It is the pressing through the adversity that strengthens us. I can truly say that I have been strengthened this week. This experience has been way more than modeling challenges.

I initially approached the challenge with some anxiety of how to balance everything that is going on. After visiting several places leaving with nothing as far as the shoot, I found that I already had things in t he house that I needed. A true blessing indeed. In times of pressure, we sometimes find that everything that we need is already in our possession. The sequin cap worn in some of the photographs had been in my accessory bin for a while, and had never been worn. This piece displays a bit of my personality, as I love shiny things and color. The earrings were pulled out of my overflowing accessory case as well, another item that had rarely been worn. The cheetah covering that is used in the photos is actually my grandmother’s blanket that she uses to wrap herself in church to keep warm.

The makeup which was provided for by Iman and her staff is absolutely impressive. I had never used it before. The makeup is light and natural looking. It goes on so smooth, and feels fabulous. While attempting to duplicate the look provided in the photograph, I decided to keep everything else simple. As you see, there is a resemblance to the photo that we were given to work with., but I wanted to also put some type of personal twist on it. My twist this week as I shared the some of the battles that I dealt with was so give insight into the model. I believe that its important to know who we are voting for. Therefore, sharing vulnerabilities and pressures this week, was my way of being naked and unashamed. It is so easy to wear masks. As you see, there is a little skin that is shown. This was done in a classy way, symbolizing that I was taking off some of my layers with the judges as well as the audience. I was hoping to achieve a softer, yet still confident look, while fulfilling the makeup challenge. In my mind, I was seeing the strength in feminity that exudes the softer side.

I hope to accomplish inspiring others to pursue their dreams and goal, whatever they may be. Push through the adversity, obstacles, distractions, everything that seeks to stop you. While one of my goals is to obtain the modeling career, I will pursue it will all of my heart. I will take the criticisms and the applauds with grace, as I refuse to settle for less than manifestation. This is a heart thing. Passion. While I pursue this dream, it is my desire to share not only the career, but the heart of the model pursuing the career. I leave the audience with these words that rang through in one of my silent times.

I hope to accomplish inspiring others to pursue their dreams and goal, whatever they may be. Push through the adversity, obstacles, distractions, everything that seeks to stop you. While one of my goals is to obtain the modeling career, I will pursue it will all of my heart. I will take the criticisms and the applauds with grace, as I refuse to settle for less than manifestation. This is a heart thing. Passion. While I pursue this dream, it is my desire to share not only the career, but the heart of the model pursuing the career. I leave the audience with these words that rang through in one of my silent times.