We’re looking forward to introducing you to Carol Malloy. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Carol, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
The first thing people remember about you is what you’d love to be remembered for but let’s face it, they must first know you to understand you.
Integrity is doing the right thing when no one is looking so how do we convey that? That is a great question indeed!
What I’ve come to realize is this. We aren’t perfect people and we make mistakes either in the heat of the moment, or when we feel threatened, among other reasons.
What I’ve come to realize as an adult is this: it’s what we do afterwards to try to fix the messes we have created. Am I guilty? 100% but I’ve learned to take ownership for my actions.
Have I struggled with this? Absolutely and it breaks my heart to the core that some friendships and relationships have never been mended and that is a pain that is quite indescribable.
When this happens, it is clearly out of my control and I have to let it go. Adults have conversations. They talk out differences, without trying to make the other person feel bad but just sharing a point of view that they noticed.
Integrity is taking that information, and doing some self reflection. It’s realizing you’re human and capable of causing hurt, never intending to. But what this means is then changing something about yourself
I have also learned that with recent events, it is crucial for me to not stay silent. I’ve apologized so much in my lifetime to family members, friends, etc but doing so only to stop the friction. Not always have I apologized for what I’ve done wrong, I’ve apologized to simply make the discord stop.
Unfortunately, I have done myself a disservice because then it was expected that I’d never stand up for myself or my own morals. I did it because that’s how I’ve always been. I convinced myself I caused the action when it wasn’t always me.
Integrity is taking things we have done, analyzed them and knowing in my heart, my actions have not always reflected the heart I own. I never ever intend to hurt anyone at anytime and having taken time to reflect, I now know not everything is my fault so the apologies must stop.
In doing so, words are thought out more carefully. Actions have consequences and I’ve learned that the hard way. Going forward I’ve learned to take deep breaths and think before acting.
Integrity is really you becoming the best you can be and sharing that with the world. Being proud of who you are and having the confidence to move forward in a more intentional way. Not acting on emotion but acting in love and faith.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Carol Malloy and I create Lyrical Trees under the umbrella of CMalloy Designs.
My trees are special in that no two are ever alike. They are personalized and customized for the recipient. My trees are not just gifts, but rather keepsakes.
Each tree is a collaboration between the giver and myself. The giver tells me who the tree is going to, a bit about them and what the occasion is. Then they look through many of my previous designs, and pick and choose from a variety of options. They choose a design, colors, lyrics (my favorites to use are words of affirmation, things they have written, a list of words that describe the recipient or bible verse)
From there, I’m given family names or photographs to use and then I get to work creating a dimension piece of art, frame it and it’s ready to gift.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
Easy, my husband.
My husband saw me for the complete mess and flawed person I was and loved me through it. He mentored me with love and kindness, without knowing what he was truly doing.
He was a gift from God I didn’t know I needed. He was patient, he served up tough love and allowed me to share my innermost thoughts and feelings without judgment.
He saw the good in me I didn’t know existed. He coached me as I walked my own journey- letting me fall but always being my safety net. He held me, and still does, through my tears, my struggles and my triumphs.
He allows me to be myself and forgives the things he’s less impressed with. He tolerates my sarcasm and my need for order and perfection. However he is quick to point out that when I feel the need for constant perfection- it’s ok sometimes to be less than perfect. He has shown me it’s ok to leave a dish in the sink overnight and the world won’t crumble.
He’s my rock and hero, my protector and provider. He’s my best friend, my confidant and my North Star.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Of course! I think we all carry around challenges that make us want to throw up our hands in the air and cry “uncle”
My daughter was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer at age 16. I wanted that diagnosis- I wanted to take it from her. Unfortunately we can’t. I wanted to throw everything I could into a wall but I couldn’t. I had to put aside that anger and use it to help her get through almost a year of treatment.
The came a previous marriage that turned violent, creating mixed emotions in me of turning away from God. I was abused physically, emotionally, mentally and couldn’t understand why this was happening.
Then my daughter was diagnosed with another form of cancer.
I’ve gone through short selling a beautiful house, filing bankruptcy and numerous other things. But God always got me through.
Art became a passion after that. Creating was my way of expressing my own thoughts. And helping people gave me a chance to heal from all of it. Creating trees offered me a way to give back to make something good out of bad. To take my mind off darkness by creating pieces that brought hope and light.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
That God left me in the bad times. He was there but allowing me to find Him, to seek Him out and ask for help- which by the way, is the most difficult thing I struggle with.
My brain tells me I can handle it all and then my body comes along and says, “I think not” Asking for help is still something I struggle with today.
Prayer has helped me realize we are not meant to do this journey alone. We are meant to share it with others that can empathize with you or better yet, lift you up.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When I’m gone, I’d like for people to rejoice in the fact that through Gods grace and mercy as well as his sacrifice, that I am home.
I’d love to leave a legacy where my kids and grandchildren knew they were loved and thought of daily.
That my friends knew I cared deeply for them even if sometimes I lost my way and forgot to check in on them as often as I should have.
That my husband knows how much I appreciated everything he did for me and his step kids- and that I carry his love for me in my heart always and vice versa.
That I made a difference to anyone. That somehow some of my words brought people to at least question my faith, my God, my savior.
Even that my art touched the lives of those that have received one as a gift.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: HTTPS://www.facebook.com/CMalloyDesigns
Image Credits
Photo credit: these are my own photos
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
