Aesthetic Elevation

As I type this, I am in shock, awe, amazement, and humility, as one year ago today, I birthed Aesthetic Elevation. I cannot begin to tell you how many people told me this blog was not going to flourish in any way, shape or form. At times, those voices still play back in my head. In this past year, I have dealt with doubt, fear, heartbreak, hurt, and death. Aesthetic Elevation was at times my only friend. It didn’t chastise, it didn’t judge. It held together a strong woman who would steal away to her computer in the midnight hour to shed a tear or two. It flexed its existence when I noticed I was one in a sea of bloggers.  For that I am grateful.

This blog almost saw the cutting room floor many a day and night. I’m glad I didn’t pull the blog. I survived technical difficulties, and multiple gaps between blogs, as I attempted to navigate my business and this blog, all while being a widowed parent of a school aged child, and partial caregiver to my mother.

As I move forward, I only hope I can build upon what the Most High has allowed me to put together. Call by call, e-mail by e-mail, event by event, sit down by sit down. To the beautiful individuals who took the time to sit down and converse with me, I am forever changed. To those who are waiting for their interviews to be posted, I am working on it (RiaRob is human, after all). To those who wait in the wings and I have yet to encounter, I look forward to engaging with you.

In this time of constant transition, I am at peace with myself. I am proud to call myself a writer and blogger. I am grateful and cognizant of the gift and the curse of the pen (or click of the mouse). I hope everyone who supports Aesthetic Elevation knows that I am only a phone call or e-mail away.

To the Elevation Nation, thank you for taking the time to take a peek at RiaRob. The support is the warmth in my spirit. To the haters, I thank you also as you have forced me to master tuning out controlling, unhappy, hurt, unfocused people like yourselves. Here’s a suggestion.  Live your own life and/or find a hobby.

In closing, to anyone in transition, contemplating their next move. Move in faith and understanding, that what you can contribute is worthy and enough.

The song that comes to mind is Jill Scott’s The Real Thing. Happy Birthday Aesthetic Elevation. Mama is proud of you…

Continuing to Rise Above,

RiaRob