WOW! It doesn’t seem like it has been 8 years. I launched PaisleyPerspective on January 1, 2011. It was the same day that Oprah launched the OWN network. I am not comparing myself to Oprah but I will say that ideas for growth and sharing information come from many sources.
PaisleyPerspective initially started as a blog about EVERYTHING. It seemed like a good idea at the time. Then I decided to center my focus and blogged about the arts & social awareness. Last year, I ultimately decided to focus on uplifting messages. And the tag “musings of an optimistic mind” was born. This seems to be the tagline that best describes the blog and my goal.
A few years ago I turned 50. And not to brag I don’t look it, which I also am told often by others. I am not sure if that is a benefit or not because I have years of knowledge and experience. But sometimes my experience is overlooked because my physical appearance belies my age. It is something that I am dealing with and there could be the flip side where people think I am older than I look. I am happy to be thought of being much younger than I appear.
My point in mentioning my age is to say that for a half century, I have been an optimist. There are times when my optimistic personality is tested but usually my optimistic attitude wins. I am the product of parents who were both overall optimistic people. This is even when life’s struggles tried to test them. The summer of 2017, I had a life-changing employment situation. And during 2018, I had life obstacles that I didn’t expect but I forged ahead.
I love to share new ideas and opinions. But I also like to share not merely my own thoughts but those of others. This is something I did in 2018 regarding running for office, highlights of an amateur photographer and about being a black man in the USA. PaisleyPerspective was not merely a platform for my voice but that of others. And the messages may not always be optimistic but may involve the need for reflection.
One thing is for sure, I hope to bring more blog posts to you via this platform. I am working on a schedule now. And one of the first blogs will be next week and talk about an interesting Columbia Museum of Art tour series. I will blog on the Focal Point: The Art of Disability tour that was given by docent Bauer Westeren, who himself deals with a physical disability. During the tour, Bauer indicated that he should not be considered an inspiration for doing everyday things. I will save additional comments about Bauer for next week.
I hope you will come back often to read what I have to say. And share with your friends. Also feel free to submit content. We accept poetry, photography, and short stories. The only criteria are no whining or complaining but be positive. I quote my late father, “Complaining doesn’t change a thing.” So let’s not complain but seek positive ways to be & bring change to issues that concern us.
Finally, today starts a new year. Each year magazines, talk shows, and even the news focus on helping people with their new year resolutions. A while back I stopped trying to pick one thing to change in the new year and now, I just seek to be a better person. The reality is we are the same person at 12:00 am on January 1st of a new year that we were at 11:59 pm on December 31st of the prior year. However, I must admit a new year does seem to bring new hope and new possibilities. With that PaisleyPerspective wishes you and yours a Happy and Blessed 2019!
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PaisleyPerspective 
WOW. 9 years have gone by so fast. It really doesn’t t seem that long. Looking forward to reading and contributing