Being Pure in Times of Evil

Self-Portrait

Spring has sprung, and for some of us, the pollen can take hold of our health.  I, being highly allergic to pollen, can become sick with a sinus infection, and this year, it hit me hard.  During my downtime, I mostly watched videos on social media because my eyes were tired and I needed a pick-me-up. I listened to comedians to bring in some laughter. Unfortunately, now and then, political things would pop up, and once again, they revealed evil and hate amongst people with huge differences. 

I spend very little time on social media anymore, as it has become too toxic for my taste. I also have dreams and a purpose to fulfill, and it is impossible to achieve greatness by focusing on evil.  Being on social media during my downtime was a great reminder of why I won’t stay there long.

There is Beauty All Around

The evil in the world today, worldwide and locally, is the most toxic thing you can engage in. I love being happy and creative, and nothing will rob me of either, like staying glued to the news or living my life on the internet. I would rather spend my time leading by example and keeping my heart pure, and believe me, that takes an incredible amount of focus and energy. It’s worthwhile practicing this behavior. I look around me, and there is beauty all around me. I look for the beauty and ignore the ugliness. Ugly makes me sad, but beauty inspires me. 

Photographer:  Tamarah Ellen

I was listening to a speaker, and he was talking about being pure in your heart, to rid yourself of evil.  He was actually quoting a bible verse, Romans 12:21: “Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”  He was speaking about the seeds of greatness in us and how we have a purpose to go further than those before us.  I believe this to be true, and I know I have a special purpose. It has taken years of working on myself on the inside to become stronger and better, to withstand the evil that has grown in the world.  I don’t want to be like the angry people I see in the world today.

I was delivering magazines a couple of days ago. I was in different cities, but mostly in Greensboro at first. In each place I went, there were a couple of cities with lingering angry people in the streets. They were protesting something, but I had no idea what. I stay focused on my purpose and don’t read the signs, as I want to remain pure in my heart. I see people with all different political views walking around angry, and hating on one another. It is sad. The older I become, the more I don’t want to waste a moment of my precious time filled with hate. These people could be enjoying their golden years by looking for the beauty around them. It's there when you look for it. 

When I got home from my deliveries, I jumped on social media for a second to see if I had any messages from clients. In that brief moment, I saw people arguing about things they had no control over once again. It is sad to me, but not my problem.  I do my best to stay focused on my dreams of lifting people, celebrating them in my magazine, and making them feel beautiful in my studio or wherever I photograph my clients.

"Don't worry about having the right words; worry more about having the right heart. It's not eloquence he seeks, just honesty." -- Max Lucado (American Author and Minister)

We have this one life, and this one chance to be the best we can be. Why would anyone choose to spend their time in hate, constantly arguing over matters they cannot control?  It wasn’t this way when I grew up.  We never knew what others’ politics were, we didn’t scream and shout at each other, and we didn’t have the internet.  The uglier you are on the inside, the uglier you are on the outside. Look around you at all the blessings, instead of the evil. Beauty is abundant. 

Photographer:  Tamarah Ellen  |  Floral Arrangement

by Hidden Door Floral Studio in Raleigh, NC 

I enjoy celebrating people regardless of our differences. I don’t enjoy discussing politics. I enjoy being creative and spreading love as best as I can. It’s not my job to change people. It’s my honor to inspire them to become better. I hate seeing people argue and waste precious time on things they have no control over.

Overcome your evil thoughts with pureness in your heart. Look at people through the eyes of humanity. People around you are not in control of what’s happening in the world. They are in control, as you are, of how they react and live their lives.  Live with love, lead with love, and overcome evil with goodness.  

To your own success, rock it!

Tamarah Ellen