Personally, it was a nonstop train, filled with test after test, geared towards the most intense levels of character and spiritual development.

Fundamental lessons were learned, regardless of if I went out to find them.

Each test unearthed a truth I could no longer ignore: I had been carrying a weight I never agreed to bear. Yet, alongside that weight, it also brought moments of light, laughter shared with loved ones, milestones achieved, and reminders that even in the hardest times, life still offers reasons to celebrate.

Nowadays, I chuckle whenever I hear someone telling me what I should do, because I now know it’s most likely based on what they would do if they were you or me. They can’t help this egocentric bias even if they want to, it’s a flaw in the best of us.

There’s just something odd about the overemphasized perspectives that are frequently held, thinking that one person’s experiences and perspectives are the universal standard, followed by the false viewpoint that others would make the same decisions and have the same opinions, is not only toxic but suffocates genuine empathy and understanding.

It’s easy to run behind the cover of things happening for character development and avoid the opportunity to realize it’s about creating something meaningful.

Sometimes, people just need a chance to discover or maybe even rediscover who they are beneath the hustle and bustle of modern day life.

Purpose In the Darkness and Shadows

I often joke about being Batman, but funny enough, I don’t see myself as a hero. I see myself simply as someone who is driven by the fear of failure, not to anyone but my Creator.

Looking back, I learned to have true faith in the darkness and shadows, where everything felt hidden, or filled with grief, doubt, and the weight of ever increasing responsibility. In those moments, it felt like there was no light, no clear path forward. 

Darkness is where we’re forced to confront our deepest struggles, the times when we question everything and have nothing to rely on but inner resolve.

But then there are shadows. Shadows don’t exist without light, they are cast by something meaningful being illuminated. Shadows aren’t total darkness; they are the contrast, the challenge, that comes when light shines on something real. 

They show us where our attention is needed, where we need to push harder, focus more, and stay determined. Shadows reveal the contours of the path ahead, even if that path is difficult to walk.

Strength is forged in both shadows and darkness. In the darkness, I found endurance and the strength to keep moving forward even when everything felt uncertain. 

The darkness taught me patience and trust in the story unfolding within my life. 

In the shadows, I found clarity. The ability to see the challenges ahead as opportunities for growth, not obstacles. Shadows sharpened my focus and reminded me that with light comes responsibility.

This year, I’ve learned that both are necessary. The darkness brings depth and resilience, while the shadows provide the sharpness of purpose. 

Many people miss this point, It’s not about avoiding struggle but embracing both the absence and presence of light. In the darkness, we build the strength to persevere. In the shadows, we find the clarity to define our mission and push forward.

Now, I don’t just survive through the hard times, I ask myself: What can I build from this? How can I use both the shadows and the darkness to create something meaningful? 

Those questions have led me to new clarity, and the mission has never felt more important.

By embracing both the light and its absence, I’ve come to understand that my purpose is about more than finding the lovables in my own life, it’s about helping others find theirs. 

Both shadows and darkness are not distractions; they are crucial parts of the journey. They’ve given me the strength to turn what I’ve endured into something bigger, bolder, and more impactful.

Always Upward Gratitude

Amidst the challenges, there were moments of light, ones that reminded me of the beauty in the journey. Milestones were celebrated, relationships deepened, and quiet joys brought unexpected peace. 

Those moments weren’t distractions; they were anchors, keeping me grounded and reminding me that even in a year of shadows, there’s always light worth holding onto.

I’ve been fortunate for those that remind me that the journey ahead is about embracing each opportunity, each challenge, and transforming them into something greater, something more lovable.

The year of chaos known as 2024 has shown me that it’s not the shadows themselves that define us, but how we use them to illuminate a path forward, driven by love, clarity, and a purpose bigger than ourselves.

I’m not here to seek glory, although it’s nice to be appreciated. I’m here, as always, to see my purpose through. 

Simply put, to show up and help out. 

The road ahead is uncertain but full of promise. Each step forward demands intention, courage, and resolve, but also a willingness to embrace the joy and beauty that life offers along the way. 

This isn’t just about personal growth, it’s about building a legacy, one shaped by both the light and the lessons of darkness. Always upward, always forward.

The post Rebalancing the Scales of Unfinished Business appeared first on David Yarde.

It’s hard to believe that so much time has passed by.

Even crazier is the fact I’m not even 30 yet.

Yet here I am at the nexus of design, programming, user experience, and now more so entrepreneurship and business.

To sat that things have just been interesting would be a severe understatement.

No two days have been alike.

Despite the ups and downs, the apparent and subtle racism, and self doubt, I’m seriously grateful for it all.

Because if it weren’t for all of those experiences, there probably wouldn’t be an Always Upward project or Sevenality.

If it weren’t for the hurt and the pain, there would no possibility for growth.

In fact, if it weren’t for being broken time and time again until the lesson became clear, my ego probably would have grown intolerable.

But at the end of the day it really isn’t about me.

See this journey has partly been inspired by still holding on to a naive part of a really younger version of me.

The part that believed that design could connect, empower, and inspire. Something that after everything I somehow still believe.

It wasn’t until a friend reached out and asked if I would be interested in being one of the spotlight Interviews on a project of his, that I realized the distance that has been traveled.

There are a few things I’ve learned that apply to most everyone. Regardless of what that journey may look like for you. Here are a few:

• It pays to be humble. Notice I said humble, not shy, not submissive. Humble. Don’t ever let anyone lead you to believe that being a know it all or suck up is a good thing.
• Focus on you. It’s cool to have friends and whatnot but it’s even more important to work on improving who you are. Especially in the areas where you serve others, whether that’s through your work or interpersonal relationships.
• Be original. Reenactments feel weird. Life is too short to spend it trying to be like someone or something else. There’s a reason why you have or are developing the skills you have.

Other than that, trust the process. What often presents itself as an obstacle often is the thing that will help us grow the most.

Experience is your friend. Not just in where you work but also in what you expose your creative mind to.

It’s hard to paint a sunset if all you’ve seen are sunrises.

Oh and if you’re curious about what else I’ve learned over the past few years or so, then check out the interview spotlight I mentioned earlier!

The post Reflecting On the Journey appeared first on David Yarde.

As an introvert, I find it more comfortable to reside behind the lens and do the necessary work from there. There’s less stress. Who doesn’t like less stress?

Nonetheless, here I am on a pier in New Jersey, somewhat freezing and a whole lot of nervous. In hindsight, I really wish I had pushed myself more to get a haircut but we’ll save the chat about self-care for another day.

What ended up happening on that pier was an unexpected moment of clarity.

It was a moment where the ups and downs along the journey started to make sense.

Regret turned to forgiveness and a more positive outlook. Life suddenly didn’t become perfect instead the journey onward became more clear.

Why? Easy. I was essentially forced to own my story and experience.

I wasn’t aware of it until that moment and not until much later did I fully understand why.

That’s the beauty of the journey, you never quite realize how far you’ve traveled until you have to sit down and share that story thus far.

It sure has been a journey. One filled with lots of ups and downs.

But if you happen to be curious about what lead up to that unexpected moment of clarity, catch the video below!!

Hope it helps you with your journey of finding more clarity and if by chance it does provide some value, give it a share ????

The post Unexpected Moments of Clarity appeared first on David Yarde.

There are moments when you know deep down inside which lane is truly yours.

To operate in any other lane just doesn’t feel natural.

Thing is the transition to that lane may not be as easy as you would like.

Inspiration is a tricky thing.

If you’re not careful you’ll end up inspiring everyone else except yourself.

It’s in that moment when you find yourself caught in the conundrum of what should happen next.

Thing is you already know.

It’s just a matter of weighing the pros and cons.

After which you’ll see that the pivot just simply needs to happen in order for you to continue growing.

It’s not about giving up.

If anything it’s about letting go the things holding you back from the best version of what you can be.

P.s The daily project never stopped! Just silly me forgot to check the connection between where I write things to start and the blog. Past few days will be up shortly!

The post The Pivot appeared first on David Yarde.

It’s easy to utter these words.

But is it as easy to put into practice?

It feels good to hold on to the hurt. But it’s never really healthy to do.

Especially when it comes to you.

The harshest critic.

Thing is, there is no inspiration in retroaction.

Meaning, when you keep holding on to the one thing out of the thousands of things that happen in a given day, you’ll never progress to the things that do inspire.

The post Forgive and Forget? appeared first on David Yarde.

Too many of us jump to speak before things are thought through.

It’s as if the train of self control and diplomacy is lost and a complete primal mind takes over.

Then when the dust settles and things get awkward the regret slowly starts to settle in.

Just a brief moment before we reply to someone can prevent a heated discussion or even worse a burned bridge.

Empathy is much like hygiene. It’s something that must be practiced daily.

And not just the pretty social media meme type stuff either.

We’re talking about asking ourselves the difficult questions and putting in the tough work on being better instead of bitter.

That part. The part that sounds easy until we’re knee deep in it.

But better being deep in that versus being deep in a situation that grows into something that damages a invaluable relationship.

Besides, it doesn’t cost much to take a moment to think things through before responding.

Remember, haste usually does end up making a waste.

The post Think Before You Speak appeared first on David Yarde.

It’s tempting to think that there’s such a thing as the perfect moment.

Or being completely ready before we can do our thing.

It’s also deceptive to think that time will wait on you to find the right amount of inspiration.

Sure, some days are way more difficult than others.

You may not have all the energy needed to fight the depression, the hurt, or the pain.

But you do it anyway.

Somewhere in the mix of it all you realize that the objective isn’t for things to get easier.

It’s for you to get stronger, wiser, and more agile.

It’s about building up the necessary momentum needed in order to reach the tipping point.

The one that’ll take you where you need to truly be.

It’s also about not giving up.

Why?

Because you have so much good to give in this world.

It would be a shame to make that all go to waste.

To live in regret and ask constantly, “What If..?”, is to put oneself through personal hell.

Your personal brand is YOU.

You aren’t a product.

You are a person.

One with goals and dreams.

A person that has so much good to give this world.

So the sooner you realize that there is no such thing as THE perfect moment.

The sooner you’ll be on your way to achieving the greatness you asked for.

So what are you waiting for?

P.s Looking to connect and grow with like-minded individuals? Then join me on Facebook in the The Always Upward™ Collective!

The post No Perfect Moment appeared first on David Yarde.

Learn more about Altovise:

• Website – http://www.altovisepelzer.com/
• LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/findyourvoicenow/
• Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/FindYourVoiceNow/
• Twitter – https://twitter.com/theevoicecoach
• Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/theeunicorntribe/
• Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Altovise-Pelzer/e/B01N4BBO9E

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Leveling up and getting things across the finish line isn’t easy. When it comes to most projects, the last 10% is often the toughest to get through.

The Longest Yarde is all about getting things across the finish line and leveling up without losing yourself in the process.

Tune in weekly as we chat with creatives and entrepreneurs from all walks of life that have had to battle the last 10% of an idea to make it a reality.

The post EP. 4 – The Longest Yarde w/ Altovise Pelzer appeared first on David Yarde.

Fancy is cute but often not functional.

Fancy can get in the way of progress and if not tempered will leave you doing nothing, while you’re thinking that you’re doing the most.

Fancy only gets you as far as the trend will allow.

Stop being fancy and just keep things real.

It’ll save you time, stress, and many headaches.

You’ll have more energy, focus, and passion towards the bigger picture.

Productivity will be your friend.

Only if you stop trying to be fancy and just get things done.

The post Stop Being Fancy appeared first on David Yarde.

In this episode, we’re talking about the puzzle of entrepreneurship.

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The #alwaysupward vlog is David’s way of providing as much value as possible by sharing insights on branding, creativity, personal development, entrepreneurship, and startups based on over a decade worth of experiences from a career in creative technology.

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Credits:

Background Music by: Ryan Little (https://www.youtube.com/user/TheR4C2010)

Find David here:

Website: https://davidyarde.com
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The post Video: The Puzzle of Entrepreneurship | #alwaysupward ep – 15 appeared first on David Yarde.