Unfinished

 
 
 
Click for more inspiration from April's mumblings + musings. 

Click for more inspiration from April's mumblings + musings. 

If life is like a photo, do you have a signature pose?

More and more I'm trying my best to pull away from "polish" to "presence".... I try and distance myself from "over-jeuging" and over-primping to just coming as I am, at my personal best, and being in the moment. Oh yeah, it's a challenge for me! Of course! We all, or at least most of us, want to look good in photos. Heck, we want to look good in life! But how many "polaroid moments" (read: opportunities) do we throw away because we don't feel like we measure up to how we'd like to see ourselves, or how we'd like to be seen by others?!

I'm about to join a distinguished group of overachievers this year and with such an honor comes all the tempting trappings of the required bio, headshot and vain attempts to fish the pond of my resume for accomplishments synonymous with big shot status! Here's where I resist. Here's where I refuse to get caught with my own hook. Here's where I don't take the bait. No comparison. No bragging. No looooooong bio spewing out ridiculousness. No fear of not measuring up.

FIRST OF ALL, LIFE ISN'T OVER YET AND I'M NOT FINISHED. NO NEED TO PACK A LIFETIME INTO 15 SECOND INTERVALS! 

I have to remind myself almost daily: if all I did in life was one thing and it was done well and for an honorable purpose, it is enough. Would you say the same? Or do you find yourself caught in a torrent of insta-posts and insta-messages amassing accomplishments for vanity's sake?

My husband advised me the other day to take stock of my values, passion and purpose. Whatever achievements I list should flow from that fountain--a natural outpouring of the values that drive my life forward and bring it meaning. No more, no less. So as I practice less polish and more presence, part of that exercise means I aim to spend more time with God, hoping in God, the Perfecter and Finisher of my faith, as He motivates me to move and do according to the purpose for which I was created. This is my best pose and the ultimate signature look! #nofilter

A few photos below from my recent shoot are a personal exercise in removing my earrings and letting my hair go wild and free, especially the black & whites. The backdrop for this shoot is a literal unfinished space, currently under construction, providing an excellent juxtaposition for the more polished, glam looks. It reminds me that there's still so much to look forward to as we grow and live life. 

Credit: Amanda Felice Photography

April Peters

Soul-stirring singer-songwriter and recording artist April Peters has a driving passion to help women and children find freedom and discover their value in God. April became aware of the emotional scars and wounds of domestic violence on her own family and released her debut EP, Early Bloomer, in 2010 to tell her story in song of love, loss and the power of forgiveness while raising awareness around issues of domestic violence and abuse. April traveled to West Africa, where she performed and made radio appearances, encouraging Liberia's people and children scarred after civil war. April has been featured on FOX's Good Day Philadelphia and Monarch Magazine hailed April for being an “exceptional [person] empowering others to become exceptional” and "artist who uses her past experiences, talent and passion for change – to create a new voice in adult contemporary music.” April's recently released single “Turn It Up” and her EP Fly carry the message of hope, truth, love and renewal that she so passionately conveys to audiences worldwide.