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Happy New Year! Today is the 2nd Anniversary of PaisleyPerspective: blogging about the arts & social awareness. PaisleyPerspective started as a blog dedicated to talking about everything under the sun but it was later decided to reign in the topics and focus on two of my passions. Today I want to take a personal and PaisleyPerspective look back at the year in review, reflecting on what I want to do in 2013.
Personally and under PaisleyPerspective I was inspired by the creativity of friends and organizations who developed film festivals (Reel Black Pix Film Fest) and did live interviews of members from the creative community (Freshniz Events). But the best event that I covered was in June surrounding the protest of Gov. Nikki Haley’s veto of funds for the SC Arts Commission. With the swipe of a pen she shut down an office including funding for maintaining the state’s arts collections. With great enthusiasm the arts community gathered on the State House grounds in Columbia, SC and showed why they were relevant through singing, dancing, instrumental performances, mini poetry workshops, painting demonstrations, and other activities even in the rain.
On the social awareness side, I was active in the process of becoming a National Delegate to the 2012 Democratic National Convention held in Charlotte, NC. The process began in January and involved participation in conventions on a county and state level. Winning a seat to represent Democrats from the state of South Carolina was an honor and showed what determination and a good campaign with dedicated family & friends can do. In direct correlation with becoming a delegate was campaigning for President Obama and endorsing him as the best candidate. Throughout the year I wrote a few pieces to encourage activity in the political process including voting and volunteering.
Me, my husband and good friends brought 2012 in partying to the legendary band Parliament Funkadelic lead by George Clinton at the Famously Hot New Years Eve celebrations in Columbia, SC. I was happy to leave behind 2011, a year that was filled with grief over the death of my mother and grandmother. I struggled with staying focused on PaisleyPerspective but eventually came back to provide my insight and opinions on a regular basis.
Now we are in a new year. When the clock strikes midnight, we are the same person that we are at 11:59pm in the prior year. However, in addition to a new tax year we enter a new year of possibilities. There are resolutions made that are often quickly forgotten. As for me I choose to make only one resolution for 2013; I will work to continue being the change I wish to see in the world. I do have character traits and habits that I can improve, however, I work each day to be better than the last day. One of the many lessons I carry from my mom is to always seek to do your best and when you fall short, keep at it. So in 2013 I will keep striving at being a better me and working to make PaisleyPerspective a better blog.
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PaisleyPerspective 