The Life Makeover Club
Chapter 1
ONE
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
~ Lao-Tzu. Chinese philosopher
(604 BC - 531 BC)
A truckload of guilt dumped its load on Cara’s heart as she got into the car and glanced back at her crying, red-faced two-year-old. Toby struggled to free himself from his father’s hold, screaming for her to come back. Long ribbons of tears streamed down his puffy cheeks as Pete released a hand to wave, returning it quickly before his son could escape. She wouldn’t have been surprised if he wriggled free and chased her down the street at super speed like the little kid from The Incredibles .
The young mother of three turned the key in the ignition and noticed the time on the dashboard. ‘Damn it!’ If it hadn’t been for her toddler surgically attaching himself to her leg like an over-sized ankle-weight while trying to get ready, she may have been on time.
Toby’s clinginess made it hard for Cara to go anywhere without him. Not that she went out often, apart from the usual outings – supermarket, school, pre-school, and pharmacy. The extent of her social life revolved around Facebook updates and cappuccinos in cardboard cups with the mothers at PlayLand Central Café. They’d chat about the ups and downs of life while their toddlers ran riot in the noisy and painfully colourful play areas. The problem was, Toby decided that everywhere he went, Mum would have to go too. Including chaperoning him to the under-three’s slippery slide so he could have about fifty million goes on it, along with the bouncy swings that were annoyingly un-automated. Cara had to bounce the swing up and down every five seconds or so, whenever Toby yelled ‘Again, Mummy!’ It would have been so much easier if there was a button to keep the freaking thing bouncing, or at least a remote control to press periodically in between mother-to-mother discussions of how to hide vegetables in meals, how Toby’s eczema was responding to the new cream, and the contents of little Sophia’s nappies – Is khaki green normal? Whenever Cara tried to grab a few sips of her (now cold) cappuccino, Toby would either cry as if it was the end of the world, or drag her back to the play area with surprising strength. No wonder she’d lost some weight, she hardly ever sat still.
Cara leaned her head against the driver’s seat, heart racing from rushing out the door, fatigue casting its heavy shadow on her brain. She wished she could close her eyes and take a power-nap, but the meeting started in six minutes and it would take fifteen to get there. She drove off, tempted to send a text explaining her delay, but thought it best to just arrive as soon possible. She could always blame it on traffic, or something else. With her history of being punctually challenged, she often joked she could write a book called ‘101 Excuses for Being Late’. Although, it always boiled down to the same reason: ‘I have three young kids and that’s all there is to it’.
At 7:14 pm, Cara arrived and turned off the engine, forcing a deep breath. She always seemed to turn up to events panting, red-faced, and sweaty, like she’d just run a marathon … which, motherhood kind of was. It would be nice to have at least some composure when she walked in. She’d never met these people and didn’t want to make a bad impression. Then again, maybe other members of The Life Makeover Club were stressed out mums like her.
Cara gulped down a lump of nerves, as a doorman – a doorman! – welcomed her into City Health and Fitness. The glossy reception area glowed under decorative mood lighting, fresh flowers wafted an exotic scent her way, and wall-mounted televisions showed weight loss success stories. Ha! Look after my kids for a few weeks and you’ll lose weight. Cara chuckled. ‘The Chaotic Collins Method – lose one dress size per month or your money back!’
She followed the sign that pointed to the escalator – escalator, in a gym? – and stood still while she had the chance as it delivered her to the second floor. She glanced left at a door marked The Lotus Room, then right to the door on the other side of the hallway: The Ruby Room. The sign was embellished with gold lettering and a beautiful ruby emblem, much more appealing than the hand-painted ‘Please Knock Or Else’ sign on her daughter, Lily’s bedroom door.
Cara took a deep breath and wriggled her shoulders which were always tense from carrying heavy bags and young children. Hoping she could muster a calm fa?ade to shield her inner chaos, she pushed open the door and stepped into the room. People seemed to move and talk in slow motion, while her nerves bounced all over the place like kids on a bouncy castle. She purposely slowed her breathing further, hoping to appear calm and confident, instead of frantic and close to collapse. She’d read in an article recently that to distract yourself from anxious feelings you should focus on objects around you, so Cara made an effort to take in the stunning decor. The room suited its name well. Dangling light fittings of tiny red crystals, like rubies, sparkled below the ceiling in the small entry foyer. Varying shades of red weaved an elegant, intricate pattern gracing the floor of the main meeting area, and upholstered cream-coloured chairs with red piping sat like a skirt around the oval table that was adorned with a centrepiece of red and white roses.
Wow .
Cara would have loved to decorate her house like that. She could do it, she had the artistic skills, but there’d be no use. The kids would probably swing from the ruby light fittings or Lily would pluck off the crystals to use as earrings. They’d spill cereal and milk on the exquisite carpet, and Bobo the dog would scratch up the chairs and leave a blanket of dark fur behind.
Maybe in another life...
A tall woman approached, her light grey hair a delicate sculpture framing her face. ‘You must be Cara.’ Her kind eyes had a glow about them that matched her almost-luminescent coral-coloured blouse. ‘Welcome. I’m Liz.’
‘Hi, nice to meet you, sorry I’m late. City traffic … you know!’
‘No problem at all.’ Liz placed a soft hand on Cara’s arm. ‘Why don’t you grab your name badge from that table, help yourself to a nice cuppa, and we’ll start in a couple of minutes.’ She smiled.
‘Oh, I’d love a cuppa.’ Cara smiled too. She liked this woman already.
She put her name badge on, made a cup of coffee (she’d be up half the night with Toby anyway), and, realising she’d put her name badge on upside down, undid it and put it back on again. She also looked down and wiggled her toes to make sure she was wearing matching shoes, remembering the time she turned up to parent-teacher interviews wearing two different sandals. She still had no idea where her right Diana Ferrari sandal was. Bobo had probably buried it in the yard, or chewed it to bits and chucked the remains into the neighbour’s veggie patch. It probably had parsley growing out of it by now.
The warm coffee relaxed Cara’s throat as she took a much-needed sip, and the striking red feature wall at the back of the room enticed her forward. She’d been meaning to paint a feature wall at home, but never got around to it. Like the zillions of other things she never got around to doing. Besides, her four-year-old, Jacob, often took it upon himself to create his own feature walls throughout the house. Permanent markers his instrument of choice.
Cara took residence in the last remaining chair, and Liz lit the last of the six candles suspended from the wall by wrought iron sconces. A reddish fan-shaped glow spread from the top of each one, and it was as though the room had opened its eyes. The Club was now awake, alive, and ready to discover the people who’d taken up its challenge.
Liz stood in front of the group and clasped her hands together. ‘Welcome to the first meeting of The Life Makeover Club. I’m so grateful to have you all here, and very excited, as I’m sure you are too.’ She smiled and clicked a remote, and the screen behind her came to life:
The Life Makeover Club – where dreams become reality
‘Before you introduce yourselves, I’d like to start by saying that no matter where you are now in your life, no matter what you’re going through, your life can be turned around. Your life has the potential to be the most amazing, wonderful creation you could ever have imagined.’ Her words could have been perceived as cheesy, but authenticity oozed from her voice. ‘Seven years ago, I was living a completely different life.’ The screen changed, and Liz pointed to a picture of herself commanding a courtroom. ‘I was a prosecuting attorney, and law was my life for over twenty-five years. It was tough, exciting, and powerful; being able to directly influence the course of justice.’ Liz gazed at her picture for a moment, then turned to face the group with her hands out to the side, palms facing upwards. ‘So, what changed? What made me give up on years of study and hard work to do what I’m doing now?’ She clicked the remote. ‘This.’
A unified gasp emerged from the group as the next picture appeared, and Cara’s hand flew to her mouth. A thin, pale woman lay exhausted in a hospital bed, surrounded by machines, and covered with tubes. Grey circles framed her sunken eyes, and she was without hair.
‘This was me only a few months after the previous picture you saw. At the peak of my career I was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer, and my life changed in an instant.’ She clicked her fingers. ‘I endured months of debilitating treatment, the prognosis was poor, and...’ Liz’s gaze lowered to the floor. ‘I really thought I was going to die.’ She leant a hand on the edge of the table and glanced back up at the screen. ‘I left my job, not only because I could no longer physically do it, but because it no longer seemed as important as other things. I spent every spare moment with my family. After a long battle and a few close calls, my scans finally came up clear. Last October I celebrated my fifth year in remission.’ Her eyes glistened.
A woman in a black suit clapped. Cara joined in, followed by the others. Liz nodded in appreciation and held a hand over her heart. ‘Thank you, all. Thank you.’ She straightened her posture and stood strong in front of the group. ‘The interesting thing is, I now believe cancer was the best thing that ever happened to me. It allowed me to appreciate life for what it was, and forced me to rethink my beliefs. Before the diagnosis, I focused excessively on work, and my marriage struggled. I hardly ever saw my kids and grandkids, and although my career was soaring to new heights, the rest of my life was falling apart.’ Liz flipped to another slide, a picture of her; healthy, and surrounded by smiling faces. ‘Cancer brought me closer to my husband and family, and made me realise I wasn’t living the life I really wanted. So I made a choice. I chose to reinvent my life; to makeover my life.’
Cara cleared her throat as a lump of guilt formed. All thoughts of her kids and their daily struggles drained from her mind as she and the other women sat completely still, riveted by the collage of pictures on the next slide: Liz receiving her life coaching diploma, the cover of her book ‘Your Life Your Way’, testimonials from happy clients, including a few celebrities, and Liz speaking in front of a full auditorium. There were also pictures of Liz and her husband at the Great Wall of China, Liz at a family wedding, and Liz holding a newborn baby. So many memories that may have never happened, had she not recovered.
‘It shouldn’t take a crisis to change your life. You have the ability now to decide who you want to be, and create the life you want to live.’ Enthusiasm commanded her voice. ‘If your life was up on this screen, what pictures would you want to see? What would you do, and where would you go, if you knew you couldn’t fail? That’s what you need to think about tonight, and over the coming weeks.’ She turned off the PowerPoint presentation.
Images and lifelong dreams flashed through Cara’s mind. There was so much she wanted to experience in life. What if an illness took it all away? What would she do if what happened to Liz happened to her ? She shuddered inside and pushed the idea from her mind. No. Things were going to change. Starting now. It was time to take responsibility for her own life, her own dreams.
‘Anyway, enough about me,’ Liz said with a flick of her hand. ‘I want to hear about you! I’d like each of you to give the group a brief introduction and tell us why you’ve joined The Life Makeover Club. So, who wants to go first?’ Liz scanned the nervous eyes in the room, and Cara looked around, fiddling with her fingers, hoping someone else would volunteer.
‘Okay, I’ll start,’ said a woman with a mild American accent seated next to Cara. The woman shuffled in her chair and straightened, her wavy brown hair delivering the scent of fruity conditioner Cara’s way. ‘Hi everyone, my name’s Miranda Sheppard.’ She gave a little wave and her silver bangles jingled. ‘I know this sounds kinda desperate, but it’s time for me to get serious about finding a man. I don’t know why, but all the men I meet lately are just plain wrong for me.’ Miranda’s gesticulating was as emphatic as her voice. ‘I feel like I’m never gonna find someone suitable to settle down and start a family with. I’d also like to finetune my life in general; get my health and finances in order, you know?’ Her wide eyes sought nods of understanding, which she got from a couple of women on the other side of the table.
Nope, definitely not a stressed out mum like me.
And Cara could tell, even before Miranda had spoken. She had that exuberant, perky, ‘I get eight hours sleep without fail’ look about her. Half her luck.
‘Thanks, Miranda,’ said Liz. ‘May I ask why you want to accelerate this search for a partner?’
Miranda fiddled with her hands as if trying to restrain them from taking over, and bit her fuchsia-coloured bottom lip. ‘Well, apart from wanting someone to share my life with, I’m on a bit of a deadline.’
‘What sort of deadline?’
‘In a few years, I probably won’t be able to have children.’
Everyone leaned forward in their chairs.
‘Premature menopause runs in my family. My mum couldn’t have any more children after me, and the same happened to my grandma. It was over for them in their early thirties, and I’m twenty-nine now.’ She shrugged as if resigned to her fate.
Not so lucky after all, then. Although, Cara thought the idea of not having to put up with the annoying monthly visitor in your thirties and forties had some appeal.
‘I’ve had tests done,’ Miranda continued, ‘and it looks like I’ve only got a few years left, maybe till age thirty-five at most. My doctor and my mother both want me to freeze my eggs, but money is tight and it hasn’t felt right. Ha! That rhymed. Anyway, I know I could’ve used the money I invested in this club towards it, but...’ She shrugged. ‘I was so excited by the idea of a life makeover, and... I guess I’ve been avoiding the issue.’ She lowered her gaze for a moment, then raised her chin. ‘But, I’ve now decided I’ll give it a year, improve and enjoy my life, get healthier, and if I haven’t met anyone with potential by this time next year I’ll go ahead with the egg freezing.’ She gave a decisive nod.
‘Oh, I see.’ Liz nodded. ‘As a mother, I can understand how important this must be to you, Miranda.’
‘Yeah, it is. I mean, I could always look at other options one day like an egg donor or adoption, but I’d love the chance to have a child of my own.’
Want one of mine? Cara mentally scolded herself for even thinking such a thing.
Miranda’s gaze travelled around the table. ‘Shame there aren’t any men here, I might have achieved my goal in one night!’ She laughed in an exaggerated way that proved she was joking, revealing a smidgen of fuchsia lipstick stuck to her front tooth. Cara felt like reaching over and wiping it off with a tissue, as though Miranda was one of her children with strawberry jam on their cheek or a snotty nose.
Miranda narrowed her eyes at Liz. ‘Just curious, did any men apply for the club?’
‘No, actually. I have a few male clients, but women do count for the majority of visits to a life coach.’
Cara was glad there were no men. There was something more comforting and supportive about a group of women sharing their life secrets.
‘Oh well, maybe I should hang out at the gym after our meetings,’ Miranda said. ‘Might have better luck in the weights room.’ She winked, then took a sip of water, leaving a fuchsia arc on the glass.
‘Not a bad idea, Miranda.’ Liz smiled. ‘And thanks for sharing with us.’
‘Thanks for listening. I’m super excited to be here!’ She grinned, and Cara was relieved to see the lipstick stain on her tooth had disappeared. She didn’t want to speak up and embarrass the poor woman, it looked like she put a lot of time and effort into her appearance. Though the comet-shaped swipes of blusher on each cheek were a little too pinky-purple for her liking, almost like bruises. Cara didn’t need blusher, constantly rushing around and bending over to pick up little kids and toys strewn around the house provided plenty of colour to her face.
Liz directed her open palm at Cara, and nodded to prompt her. ‘Let’s move clockwise around the table.’
Here goes . She cleared her throat and tucked some wayward curls behind her ears, but they rebelled and bounced back. If only her body was as resilient as her hair. ‘Hi, I’m Cara Collins. I’m a mum of three kids under the age of seven; two boys and a girl, and they keep me very busy.’ She chuckled. ‘I joined the club to do something for myself for a change. I’ve been feeling really worn out and frustrated, like I never have time for myself, and by the end of each day I’m too tired to do anything but go to bed! I want to find some kind of purpose besides being a mother.’ There, that wasn’t too hard.
‘Thanks for sharing, Cara, and well done on taking action towards your own needs.’ Liz smiled with her coral-glossed lips. Was anyone in the room not wearing lipstick? Cara had only slid a chapstick across her lips after dinner.
The introductions continued, and the ice gradually chipped away as everyone loosened up and listened attentively to the sharing of goals and dreams.
‘Have you noticed,’ Liz said, ‘that although different reasons have brought you all here, there are many similarities among the group?’ A few people nodded. ‘That’s one of the reasons why I decided to start the club. In my one-on-one sessions I’ve noticed many people want help with similar issues, and although private sessions are extremely valuable, there’s a certain empowerment that comes from being part of a group of likeminded people.’ She glanced around the table at each attendee. ‘I wanted a way to not only help you individually, but help you benefit from the guidance, support, and accountability that comes from the combined effort of other people too. You might find that some of you are able to help each other out. I don’t want you to see me as the only source of knowledge when it comes to changing your life, you can also learn from each other, and I’m here to facilitate that learning.’
Cara recalled what the women had said about their lives, and wondered if any would end up being of help to her. Babysitting? Organisational skills, perhaps? And would she be of any help to them? She had no idea how that was possible when she could barely keep it together for herself and her family most days.
The (naturally) rosy-cheeked Wendy and sharp-eyed Rebecca both wanted help with losing weight, managing stress, and sticking to a healthy lifestyle. Cara could help them out by handing over her kids and getting them started on the Chaotic Collins Method for weight loss, though that wouldn’t do much to help their stress management goals and would therefore be counterproductive. Molly, who looked like a big cuddly pillow, wanted to grow her new pet grooming business. Nope, Cara had no hope of helping with that, as Bobo the dog was the antithesis of a groomed pet. And fiery red-head Shauna sounded like she wanted more of a world makeover than a life makeover, having just returned from an environmental sustainability conference. The mere thought of mustering that kind of energy and enthusiasm for anything of worldly importance gave Cara a headache. Those jobs were better suited to those who counted regular sleep among their blessings. She just wanted to get her own world on track.
Zoe, a recently graduated journalist resembling a Chinese version of Clark Kent with her black hair and thick glasses, was new to Sydney having taken up a position with a national newspaper. She wanted to get her career off to a good start and make new friends. Also wanting to make friends was the petite and softly-spoken Cass, a medical scientist who’d recently separated from her husband, and Leanne, a middle-aged woman whose kids had finally left the nest. She was starting a home renovation and said she needed to ‘renovate her life too’.
Cara was glad all the women were wearing name-tags, there’s no way she’d remember everyone’s names. Heck, she even mixed up her sons’ names sometimes. She hated to think what she’d be like in another forty years ... maybe her grown-up kids and future grandkids would have to wear name-tags too.
‘And lastly, Gina. What brings you here tonight?’ Liz turned to face the slim, olive-skinned woman with perfect posture, fiddling with her wedding ring, seated on the other side of the table.
She curved her dark hair behind her ear, revealing a small, gold hoop earring. The movement was slow and measured, as though she was scared of hurting her hair or something. ‘I don’t know exactly what I want yet, but I’ll be forty in a few years and I’m not feeling completely satisfied with how my life has turned out so far.’ Like Cara, Gina cleared her throat, as if saying these things out loud was unfamiliar, or even wrong in some way. ‘It’s not that I have it tough or anything, and I’m grateful for my blessings, but...’ Light reflected off her eyes as she looked towards the LED globes on the ceiling. ‘It’s like I’m living someone else’s life, and my real life is waiting for me behind a locked door that I can’t find the key for.’ Gina touched her lips, as though someone else had spoken the words for her and she was taken aback by the truth.
‘Gina, I’m sure we can help you find that key.’ Liz placed a comforting hand on her arm, then turned to face the group again. ‘And I honestly look forward to guiding all of you over the next twelve months.’
The next hour was spent discussing childhood ambitions, passions and hobbies, the keys to a fulfilling life, and ‘The Big Picture’. Liz placed small boxes on the table containing pictures and words cut out from magazines, and everyone picked out those that resonated with their lives and goals. Their first task for the month ahead was to create a vision board; a collage of images, words, and symbols that represented their ideal life. They were to bring the finished result to the next meeting.
My kind of assignment! Excitement bubbled within as Cara collected images; a colourful painting of a sunset, a happy family, and a woman with cucumber slices over her eyes being pampered in a salon.
Miranda picked out a picture of a couple holding hands, a newborn baby, and a beautiful slim woman in a red dress being handed a bunch of roses. Wendy had tried to pick up that picture, but Miranda beat her to it.
Gina’s hand hesitated above the box as though she couldn’t find any pictures she was drawn to. Eventually, she chose the words, Truth , and Control.
Rebecca chose a picture of a shiny gold dollar sign, Shauna an image of hands cradling the earth, Molly a cute puppy with a pink bow, Zoe a handshake, Cass a smiling face, and Leanne a beautiful house.
‘I think you’ll have loads of fun making your vision boards.’ Liz put the boxes aside. ‘And remember: there’s no right or wrong way to do it, just create what feels good. In addition, I want you to do something over the next month that will move you forward. Something for yourself that you’ve either never done before, haven’t done in a long time, or something that aligns with the journey you’re starting.’
‘I can think of something I haven’t done in a long time. My husband will vouch for that!’ Wendy said, winking and slapping the black-trousered thigh of Rebecca, who flinched, but then laughed along with the rest of the group.
‘If it’s what I’m thinking then the same goes for me.’ Leanne ran her fingers through her thin, bleached hair, revealing greying roots at her temple.
How long is a long time? Cara fiddled with the hem on her blue cotton t-shirt. Although her relationship with Pete was often pushed aside by family chaos, they still found time for intimacy, though not as often as her husband would have liked, Cara was sure. Sometimes she was just too damn tired and it became another demand on her worn-out body.
Liz continued her instructions on doing something different. ‘It may be as simple as buying a book you’re drawn to, or doing something out of your comfort zone that helps you face one of your fears.’
‘I’ve only just moved out of my parents’ place, so I think I’ll be doing a lot of things for the first time this year,’ Zoe commented with a satisfied grin.
‘Me too,’ Cass said quietly. She cleared her throat and spoke a bit louder. ‘I mean, when I got married, I moved straight out of my parents’ place and into a home with my husband, but now... well, I’m twenty-eight and it’s the first time I’ve lived alone.’ Her voice faltered at the last word, and she cleared her throat again. It seemed like everyone had frogs in their throat tonight.
‘Well, I can guarantee it’ll be a year to remember,’ Liz said. ‘And at the next meeting, if you wish, you can discuss the new thing you did. Although ... perhaps Wendy might prefer not to!’ Laughter surfaced again, and a newfound camaraderie effused from this room full of women who’d been strangers barely three hours ago. ‘Over the coming months I’ll share with you my twelve Life Makeover Principles that form the foundation of the club. I’m really excited to be teaching these strategies in this way, it’ll be my first time implementing the advice in a group format. I’m even a little nervous myself!’ Liz smiled and bit her lip.
Cara couldn’t imagine that with her history Liz could be nervous about anything. But she was only human, and Cara knew that helping ten people change their lives had to be a big responsibility.
‘So, we’re sort of like your guinea pigs,’ Wendy said, and Liz laughed.
‘In a way. But rest assured, my little guinea pigs,’ Liz grinned, ‘that the principles you’ll be learning I’ve been working with for a while now. It was quite appropriate that when I formulated the strategies there ended up being twelve of them. At that stage I hadn’t even considered creating a monthly club, but when I was starting to draft my new book and transferred the principles into a fancy chart with twelve sections, it hit me, like an epiphany.’ Liz gave a single, sharp clap. ‘Twelve principles, twelve months. I knew it would be easier to make lifelong change by focusing on one strategy each month and having the support and accountability of a group, and it would allow me to be more efficient with my time and help more people.’
Cara considered asking joking if there was a twelve-week fast-track option available. Twelve days even. But she kept her mouth zipped.
‘And now,’ Liz continued. ‘I’d like to introduce you to the woman who inspired me to branch out into a new career, and without whom this club may not exist.’ Liz flicked on the projector, and an image of an elderly woman with soft grey curls and sparkling eyes looked upon the group. ‘This is – was – my Grandma Joy.’
Cara couldn’t look away from the hypnotic eyes that although not physically present, seemed as real as the ten pairs of eyes looking up at the screen.
‘She was an accomplished career woman who’d raised four children while running the family business with my grandfather, Gilbert. They’d resisted impending bankruptcy in the early years and eventually survived The Great Depression, growing Goldman Furniture into the nationally recognised brand that it is today.’
‘That was your grandparents’ business? I love their stuff!’ Rebecca exclaimed, and Liz nodded proudly.
‘She taught me to never give up, to follow my dreams ... “Listen to your heart, Lizzie,” she’d often say when I was younger ... “It never lies.” But it was many years before I actually followed this advice.’ Liz lowered her head and shook it as though acknowledging her mistake. ‘It had almost been too late, but when life unravelled due to my illness, those words echoed in my mind. And I don’t believe it was an accident, or a random occurrence, that the cancer grew in a part of the body so near to my heart.’
Like a message, Cara thought. A message that Liz eventually translated, in that moment when life almost slipped from her grasp.
‘I promised myself that if I survived, I’d follow my heart and focus on what was important to me. Instead of punishing those who’d done wrong, sending them to the depths of despair to pay for their crimes, I’d help people soar to new heights of freedom. I’d teach them the words that Grandma Joy had spoken. The words she’d written; made immortal in every birthday card she gave me. And I’ll share with you her words of wisdom at the end of each Life Makeover Club meeting, but before that, I want you all to do something...’ Liz dimmed the overhead lights and placed a small candle in front of each woman, then lit her own candle and handed it to Miranda. ‘I’m going to pass this around for you to light your own, and I want each of you to hold your intention for the year ahead in your mind. It could be specific, or simply to allow the club to lead you towards the best possible life for yourself.’
Where do I start?
Each woman did as instructed, and when the room glowed with eleven golden beads of light, Liz spoke again. ‘Now, stare at the flame and hold that intention in your mind, really feel the truth of it. Imagine it’s already true.’
My life is filled with ... um...
Take two: I am living the best...
Take three: This year is the year to...
‘Okay, on the count of three, blow out your candle. Ready?’
No!
‘One ... two ... three!’
Okay, quick! Um... I am happy and energetic, my marriage is thriving, and I’m making use of my creative talents. I’m finally becoming...me.
A soft, quick breath escaped Cara’s lungs and a swirling grey haze carried the scent of wax to her nose. She smiled as a sense of hope rose in her heart, washing away the guilt from earlier. No turning back now. Her new life had begun, their new lives had begun. What lay ahead in that life she didn’t know, but she couldn’t wait to start living it.
Bring it on!