It’s How Good You Want To Be. A wonderful book by Paul Arden. This is a must read. It is short, pithy, to the point, and even illustrated and will only take you about 45 minutes and change your life, don’t miss this one. MG

Why is it intimidating to be beautiful? No this isn’t coming from me, but from so many comments I seem to get, and I just don’t get it. It is ironic that I spent my twenties and half of my thirties as a size 14/16 and very unhappy. I made big changes in me, my attitudes, my limiting beliefs, my career choices, my location, and much more . . .

I am now in great shape, I feel terrific, I love my career, my life is on track with passion and purpose. Yet, since those many changes, I have been unable to meet a gentleman for a truly lasting romance. So many are either intimidated not only by my looks but by my visual success, and they are insecure and lack confidence and passion in their own lives. It honestly makes me sad to know that so many have so much going for them, but they don’t see it. I always look for the good in someone, the highlights, the unique gifts they offer, but it seems that others look only at what they might lack, not what they might bring to the table. HMMMMM. MG

Have you noticed that our interior environments are often mirrors of where we are at a given moment?

A friend who recently saw my home and all its furnishings, artwork, photos of parties and friends, travel mementos and more was suddenly embarrassed for me to see his place, much more minimalist. Yet, knowing he had a loft and some of what the last few years held for him, I described it, without ever seeing it, almost to a “T” because I knew him. And he agreed I was right.

The most important gift we can each enjoy is to live in spaces that reflect us and share in others that reflect them. To wish to live in someone else’s space is to wish to take on part of their life. Each of our spaces are continualy evolving and changing based on our own life changes and events. When we go through a solitary time, our homes look more minimalist, less full of people, pictures and memories; we are in a thinking time, a planning time.

When we are in the middle of living our passions, and have found our purpose, then our homes reflect a fuller, richer type of living with all the attendant parts and pieces. My own home is much like opening a book about me, it tells the story of my travels, of my inspirational Mother, my absent sisters, and my passion about design and the arts. It is also a place for me to entertain and share. As I continue on my path, “stuff” matters less and less, but because I am alway searching elements for clients it is unlikely I will ever be a real minimalist. Many things are here temporarily until they find the perfect home with a client. (Besides storage is expensive!) MG

I have to say I was a bit miffed recently (well a lot more than that, but not important here), when someone suggested that because I am not married, no family, no kids, I have a lot of free time. I found this startling. I didn’t know I had free time? Wow, where? I am passionate about my career, my friends, my travels and more. I work in design on average 60+ hour weeks, and try to catch up with friends at least twice a week, otherwise I am attending industry functions, openings, and receptions. Then I work on my website, blogs, newsletter, postcards and more along with creating programs for my audiences and traveling to present. Where is this elusive and alleged free time. I want it!!

Believe me the idea of having a family of my own is wonderful, it just hasn’t happened that way or yet. I was raised by a devoted, passionate, purposeful single working mother, I got her ambition, and her caring for others in spades. My friends are my family, and mean the world to me. As to kids, I wish I had the chance to be a God Parent or an Aunt (my nephew is 20 and I won’t say more!) I’d love to share with them the opportunities that I was given with travel and new places, and being dragged (yes, kicking and screaming back then) to museums and such. But again, it hasn’t been my path to take, I contribute in other ways and enjoy friend’s children when I can. MG

Well, I goofed on this one, I realized almost immediately as I sat in the conference room with 50 others that I need to do and be less! Yes, I have listened to all those friends and strangers that regularly tell me I am too much, I am exhausting, I am overhwhelming, so I decided that probably best not to be more.

Besides it was a room of distributors for a line of wellness products, great stuff, but I don’t want to be a distributor and have my own dreams and visions. Better to spend my time exploring and growing those, than learning for the umpteenth time how to plan that. We can get stuck in planning and never get to the action stage.

I am going to in fact develop a seminar or better less a keynote on Humans Being Human, Not More! All of us are already doing so much and being so little because of it. I want to be a human period, instead of a human doing. How about you? MG

I wish I understood Martian, or just didn’t speak such a unique version of Venuvian. Yes it is the old Mars/Venus thing again and I’m feeling a bit battered and bruised I guess. Life wouldn’t be nearly so interesting, intriguing or challenging without our planetary counterparts, but goodness it would be great to understand sometimes without all the misunderstanding that seems to zap so much time and heart. If we just really heard what the other said instead of it being masked too often by tone, or hidden by virtuality in a phone or an email. I long for the days when communication was face to face, and hand to hand, not over some invisible wires. . . . . MG

Ever have one of those just sort of profoundly sad days?? I had one yesterday. I couldn’t really pinpoint what wasn’t working, but just felt really blue. I am trying to work my way out of it today. And know it would surprise most who see me as an incredibly up and energetic sort, and generally I am. But once in a while “stuff” gets to me like it does to everyone. Whether it is a personal call I didn’t get, a contractor that is making a job extra difficult, a client that has lost perspective, a friend in need that won’t accept help, or just the state of the world today and plethora of bad news that abounds, it can be very blue causing.

I’ve got a seminar to attend today and tomorrow, Of Being Human, or some such. Right now I feel way to human and way to vulnerable to tackle this, but will anyway. The kicker is the incredible weather. Not sure I can stay indoors in a windowless conference room with such sunshine for the first time in days. We’ll see how much I get out of this. MG

I am very excited, I have been invited to accept an award posthumously for my incredibly Godmother Edith Head. It is being put on by the Walk of Style in Beverly Hills, California. And not only will Aunt Edith be getting her own star in the walk, but an award at a reception hosted by Vanity Fair that evening. WOW! I am thrilled to be included in this. What do I wear?? It has to do her proud. I can think of a couple of unique boutiques, maybe Capricious or I may try to find an Atlanta Fashion Designer and do something one of a kind
I’ve always wanted to design my own line of clothing. I have some really flexible ideas for women’s wear, and would love to dress men! No skirts, no dresses, no nonsense, just great shirts, sweaters, slacks, and ties. What fun. . . this life, or maybe the next! MG

You know, I find it immensely frustrating that the more successful I am the more intimidating that seems to be. I don’t get it! Last summer I was supposed to meet a girl friend in Florida for a getaway. I really needed the time out and was looking forward to hanging out. I had confirmed plans when she called and said she was inviting another mutual friend, but she thought that this gal would be too intimidated by my success, so I shouldn’t come down. OUCH! That hurt and haven’t talked with her since. So should I fail a bit, or not be ambitious or passionate about my career so I can be more popular? How bizarre. . . .

Same seems to apply to dating. I can meet the rare great guy, but if it turns out I make more than he does, or he guesses about what I make based on thin air and looking at my passion and design talent, he is uncomfortable and backs off. Even if it is a temporary glitch in his life, he makes it an issue. I know, I know this is his deal, not mine. But you know, if he took a little time, he might come to realize I have been there too, and would rather enjoy someone’s mind over dinner in a dive, than someone’s ego over dinner in a five star restaurant! Call me crazy, but call me! MG

This was a great time overall, only a few hysterical glitches. My first night I headed out to dinner to a great spot, Seasons 52. A total stranger at the bar recommended a full bodied delicious cabernet exclusive, and a short while later I found a seat and wound up making fast friends with a builder and his delightful wife, both from Pennsylvania. I don’t often make friends in that situation, I usually have my “look don’t touch” face on! But I was not in Atlanta, and relaxed I guess and open to new adventures.

Cab rides were horribly expensive, never less than $35 per ride, and that includes one that had me lost for an hour. GRRRR. I managed to leave my cell phone in the cab one night and that threw me for a heck of a loop. But my insurance kicked in and ironically as soon as DHL was on the way with a replacement, the cab company called and found it! All was saved.

Awesome product, blogged separately, can’t wait for upcoming shows. MG