The importance of doing what you love!

I am extremely lucky to be able to do what I love, for me it is creating artwork! I find that all of the pieces I create are an extension of myself, how I feel, and what inspires me.  This passion of mine is a wonderful form of stress relief and meditation, I am overwhelmed with the love I am shown for what I create and overjoyed that individuals see the beauty that I am trying to create with my pieces.

When I think about my art pieces being displayed in each individuals (or interior designer's) space they are creating it brings me a great sense of not only accomplishment but also happiness to think it is bringing enjoyment and a sense of beauty from what I have created. 

I believe that when you regularly do something that you love you gain mental health balance, by stimulating your endorphins which gives a greater sense of being whole and balanced.

Recently I have started experimenting with designing and putting my artwork on various pieces of clothing (all mine).  This has had a surprising and ongoing outcome for my creative side, I am finding that pieces of clothing that I have not worn for a long time are now becoming favourites again (with a new lease of life and look to them).  The other bonus of this is I am saving heaps on not having to purchase items to refresh my wardrobe!

I now have my sights set on creating some beautiful one off cushion covers that compliment my art pieces - I am extremely excited to get creating!!!

Another area I love and am so lucky to be able to do is helping business owners and employees through my consulting business.  Being able to inspire, assist when there are communication issues, educating for growth and working on positive business culture gives me so much satisfaction  every day (even when I have to perform difficult conversations or performance management).  I am lucky that I am able to see the results of my consulting work, seeing positive outcomes and enthusiasm every day!

The point of sharing this with you is to inspire you to really think about what you love doing and start doing it!  You never really know where it will take you but the journey is wonderful as well as good for your mental health. 

So I will post a couple of my art pieces so you can see what I do through my 'Designs by GML' business.  If you want to see more, head over to my facebook page @designsbygml or Instagram - Designs by GML or even my website: http:designsbygml.wordpress.com

Hope you have a wonderful day and find and start doing what you love!!!
Mary-Lou xxx

Love is Love!

So here in Australia we are about to go through a postal vote about legalising same sex marriage by reforming the Marriage Act, the vote is not compulsory and voting slips will be sent to all citizens who are registered to vote.

As John Lennon so eloquently put it:

 "It matters not who you love, where you love, when you love, it matters only that you love". 

This was posted on Instagram and Facebook by a beautiful friend, Mel, who also stated the following:

"People created marriage, but none of us created love.....and that's the only definition we should be looking to in this debate".

 I wholeheartedly agree Mel, as she finished in her post:

"we get to be the generation that voted for LOVE".

To the LGBTI Community or as I like to call them 'Friends', I am so sorry that the Australian Government is making you feel less than you are.  You, and everyone person has the right to live your life, your way, loving who you love.  Love is love, love conquers all and I as well as many other Australian people stand with you.

Sadly I have overheard or seen posted a number of people state that they intend to ignore the vote when sent to them as a form of protest of not supporting the Australian Government spending their money on this vote, they see the Government as wasting years debating an issue that has an inevitable outcome and they just want them to get it done.

Anyone in this mindset I urge you DO NOT WASTE YOUR VOTE BY NOT VOTING!!!  Essentially if you do this the Australian Government will not see this action as a form of silent protest, they will basically say that for each person not voting, those people mean they want things to stay the same!  By not voting you are basically forfeiting your right to have a say........We are extremely lucky in this country to have the rights to have a say, do not give this up!!!

So to all of my Australian fellow country men/women, please take this opportunity, vote and lets make history as Mel so beautifully put it, and lets be the generation that voted for LOVE and make sure equality for all is in our future!!

With love and hope for the future
Mary-Lou xxx