A Seemingly Sane Life
What a spectacular photograph! It is an aerial shot. The people on the pristine-white beach look like colourful, animated dots scattered on the sand, leading to the crystal blue water. You imagine being in the photo, claiming ownership of a space for yourself. Soon, near the edge of the brightly coloured dots, the deep blue water changes to white foam as waves roar and crash on the beach. You imagine sitting on that beach, bathing in the brilliant, healing sun as it shines its perfect rays of warmth onto all below it; you can smell the salt in the air and hear the seagulls flying above the water. You take in all the sounds of that singular space, that wonderful roaring water as it comes tumbling, foaming toward you. Now look closely, at that purple dot, the one right down there. Oh come on, get closer, zoom in some more. Yes, that one! Look! It’s me!
Yes. I am one of those people sitting on the beach guarding my claimed space. I am enjoying the smell of the sea mixed with the occasional whiff of sunscreen. The sun is bathing me in its glorious warmth. I feel good. I look around at nothing in particular; my daydreams are occupying me. I notice a man over there, the one with the balding head and the beer gut. I gaze briefly at him and for fleeting moment wonder what his life might be like. He looks back at me. I imagine he is thinking to himself, “Wow. She has a charmed life.” I take a deep breath. “If only he knew,” I think. If only he knew, indeed.
It is a true statement to make: I am envied by many. I am blessed and lucky enough to own a successful business as an agent to celebrities, entertainers and professional speakers, and I speak at conferences myself. My style trademark is Versace. I associate with many exceptionally talented people and spend a lot of my time socializing as part of my work. I have two beautiful daughters, and when we part we don’t say ‘Good-bye’; we always say ‘Love ya,’ without fail. It’s our way of saying good-bye.
I also live in one of the most beautiful places in the world -- Manly, Australia, in the City of Sydney. Each day starts with a glorious, energizing bike ride, either through the parklands or on the beach. As I ride my bike, I feel the wind rush through me and I have a permanent smile on my face, as I see joy in everything I do.
Sometimes I go to the top of a cliff and practice my Taekwondo training. I have a Blue Belt in Taekwondo, a senior-grade belt.
I am always happy when I am near the water, mixing my life with that fluid, ever-changing element of nature. I enjoy my solitude and spend plenty of time alone in the bush. I live opposite one of the most exclusive golf clubs in Sydney. As I sit here now, typing this book, I hear the birdsongs, including my own delightful little budgie, appropriately named Coyote.
I gaze across the road to the golf course and the lagoon that surrounds it. Then I look around and marvel at the lush greenery everywhere. If I walk downstairs about 100 metres, I will come to Manly Lagoon, full of water guinea, ducks and jumping fish. If I continue down past the lagoon, it will lead me to my “special place.” When I’m there, I feel I am in the middle of the English countryside. Calming water, birds, ducks and glorious butterflies flutter past me. This is the path I walk my youngest daughter, Grace, to and from school. It is also the track that I run up and down each morning to get my extra dose of daily exercise. It’s truly such a perfect life.
Yes, I do have a charmed life in many ways. The man on that beach was right, at least on the surface. But let’s take a closer look: Let’s go and look at the skeletons that hide in the closet of the seemingly sane life of Debbie Carr.
