It is beyond my expertise to assess where sensitivity to inspiration comes from. I cannot help but reflect on my parents, both gone from this earth, when exploring the origin of my own inspiration journey. Growing up in rural Mississippi, inspiration was everywhere; opportunities to share its creations were not.

It is right that my public inspiration journey starts there. When I first conceived of this site, my mother had already passed and my first post was planned as a tribute to her. Now, a full year later, my father has also passed into the next room - just last month. It feels foreign having no more parents to call my own. If the death of parents is a sign of growing up then I must be on my way. Do I feel grown up? More so different. It’s weird to have had parents for so long and then to just... not.

At 6 feet tall, with a broad frame, my father stood over me. I can almost see him as I wake up early mornings - sometimes at 3 or 4 AM. His memory echos in my mind as I try to make sense of things.  My dad was creative, though I did not always see him that way. I suppose that’s where I got it from. He was outgoing, which is probably why people liked him so much...especially the ladies (eyes rolling). I guess I have that likability too, I have been told. It comes naturally. He was fiercely team-spirited, and very proud. He referred to his 40 acres of rural land up a rocky clay hill as his “empire,” and he meant it.

I probably inherited my occasional stubbornness and hermetic nature from my mother. These tendencies seem to show up more now that they are both gone from this realm. She sometimes limited herself because of fear and held her emotions inside. She passed from cancer in 2013 and I have wondered if that contributed to it - holding in toxic feelings and never having the courage to release them. Maybe bjork - who will come up again under happier discussions, I assure you - is right that being vulnerable is the cure. Bearing your feelings to release the toxic emotions we have inside so we can heal.

But the alchemy of my genetics and upbringing arranged my spirit just a little bit differently. With the care and grace I inherited from my mom and the tenacity from my dad I have emerged as a man of sincerity, daring to be creative and do bold new things. I have come so far by my faith and i’m not giving up yet. Victory is mine said I, and I told Satan get thee behind! There’s a new army coming and it’s armed with Faith... Hey, coming from Mississippi, I've got to have some church in me.

All preaching aside, it’s just part of who I am; your average Black-gay-christian-southern-gentleman-turned-Brooklynite-fashion-designer who loves inspiration...and hyphenation. Future posts on the Parron Allen Inspiration Blog will shed light on the places, moments, people, and artifacts that inspire me most - weaving these sources of inspiration into my lifestyle and highlighting opportunities for you to act on moments of inspiration in your own life. This is going to be fun, I promise. But inspiration is for real folks, so we’re going to have some real talk on here from time to time. I hope you’ll join me ;)