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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 andmeasured, 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 dressbeing 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, andControl.
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 drawnto, 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 thatwhen 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 consideredaskingjoking 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 wasyounger ... “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 withyouher 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?
