This thing called “PerceptiVision” was going to be the start of a new company, specializing in services and creative solutions to help businesses get their message out, manage their information and improve their bottom line. Funny thing, though — life has a way of changing your intended direction.
In response to what I shall refer to as the “challenging times” in which we live, I’m refocusing a bit to take on those challenges more personally. I think it’s time to help everyone, in business and beyond, to find her voice, explore who she is and figure out how to say what she wants to say. We all have a story to tell, some of us have just not had the chance to tell it.
In the process, I’m going to learn to use my own voice, get “out there” in new ways, and explore who I am and what I want to say. For me, that means getting involved in all sorts of creative, social and yes, political causes.
As a bit of background, I’m a woman of a certain age with a rather varied but relatively “normal” history. Like most people, my life has been nothing extraordinary, but it’s my unique experience. I’ve basically followed the rules, done the sensible thing, faced whatever life has deemed fit to throw at me — sometimes successfully, sometimes not so much. A cancer diagnosis a few years ago was the first of several health and personal challenges that knocked me off my own little path of complacency. Time has begun to tap at my door with a bit more urgency. If there are things you want to get done, I’ve discovered, best to be getting about doing them. Today.
So, instead of creating a “business”, I’m going to try to build something else — a coalition, a network, a place (or several places), both online and in real life, where creative people can exchange ideas, work out problems, share projects, support each other, celebrate the adventure, and maybe do some good.
At least at the beginning, the focus is going to be on other women of a certain age who think maybe it’s too late (it’s not), or that they’re not creative (you are). But if you’re anyone that is trying something new, reinventing and reimagining who you are, no matter what your age or gender or story, you are welcome here. We’re going to be brainstorming, creating, experimenting, working hard and hopefully having some fun. And one thing for certain: no matter what this place becomes, who is involved, what we create, how we use our ever-growing voices, we will change the world. One project, one day, one person at a time.
As an example, on June 21st, our first project was hosting a day of painting, drawing, and being creative for The Longest Day, a fundraising event to raise awareness and money for The Alzheimer’s Association. (More about that coming up in the Blog.) We’ll continue creating and getting together with people in July, and donations can still be made through early August. To find out more, go to our page at Alzheimer’s.org. July 15th is my father’s birthday, who died in 2004 and had Alzheimer’s, and this project, for me, is in remembrance of him.
While it was a small start, with just a few people and the help of family and friends, we did it. Did we break fundraising records? No. But we did stop for a moment, and think of people we know and have lost. And it is the seed for future events and projects, in support of a variety of causes and people.
And that’s just a part of what I hope PerceptiVision becomes. I will share information along the way, in many forms, and hope others will do the same.
If anything you read or see here interests you, let’s talk. It’s painless and free to have a chat. This “place” is here to support you, cheer you on, help you figure it all out, and celebrate life. Let’s see what we can do together.
—Lori Blackwell, Founder of PerceptiVision. June, 2018.