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BLACK & WHITE


We interview under 30s for their take on life, and we hope their stories will inspire you. Contrasts and paradoxes are part and parcel of life – which therefore seems quite black and white at times.


GEMMA AMEERA


Aged 23. Occupation: professional singer/songwriter


What are you doing with your life now? I currently live in Sydney; I’m putting everything into a remarkable folk rock band that I started with my partner, called Gypsy’s Gift. We channel our music with nothing but love for the art we are projecting.


Do you have other plans for your future life? Music has always, and will always be, my life. In the future I plan to be living comfortably doing what I love to do.


How are you going to achieve that? By working extremely hard and not letting any day, hour or minute go to waste, no matter how many people slam doors in my face. Nothing in this life is handed to you on a silver platter.


What do you think about goal setting? Haha when you asked how I would achieve my plans. I nearly said “Goals”. In my diary I have a long-term goal plan and a weekly goal plan to accomplish the ultimate goal. It’s incredibly important that you have a constant reminder of what you are trying to achieve.


What’s the best thing that has ever happened to you? I wrote a song that went to #13 in the dance aria charts. It made me realise that for a couple of years I had not been present or even cared about my life. I was unhappy and I needed to make myself happy. I left a destructive relationship and moved to Sydney to give my music 100%. Fate then introduced me to an angel who is now my life partner.


What effect did that have on your life? It was a chain of events that completely changed my life. I knew I had to be strong and listen to my inner voice. I could have dwelled in the dark on things of the past and it would have been easy. Instead I decided to fix myself and break away from the mess. It was the hardest thing I ever did.


What’s the worst thing that has ever happened to you? When I was seven we moved to Australia after my mum met a man. We moved around constantly during my upbringing. We even spent five years in Dubai. Even at a young age I felt something was wrong. I was trapped in ultimate hell for ten years. Domestic abuse, torture, psychological abuse, sexual harassment – the list goes on. I literally couldn’t sleep at night I would listen out for every sound. I didn’t want to wake up to find my mum dead.


How did that affect you? I was left extremely traumatised. My whole life I felt like a mother. I always tried to be strong for my mum and my brothers and, when we moved back to Australia after the split, I felt it was my time to cave – and I gave up. I started self-medicating, hanging around people that didn’t care about me. I didn’t want anyone to care about me. I was on a mission to destroy myself.


Have you been able to see the gift in that? It has taught me that surrounding yourself with the right people is crucial to your happiness in life. It’s been a tough road but


I believe my future is bright. Sometimes I get angry for being robbed of a childhood, but you cannot buy the wisdom and journey I have been blessed with. I have a greater understanding, I’m completely self-sufficient and I plan on making a difference with the tools I have been given.


Do you have a feeling that there is an energy greater than you, something that might have all the answers? There has always been something pushing me in the right direction. Something bigger than me and following that sense has rewarded me with love, happiness and security. I believe everybody needs faith in a greater energy than just you and I. Let’s be honest, none of us knows for sure what that is or if it has all the answers. I do feel the greater energy all around us and I have many theories. I’m forever on my spiritual journey, I could talk for hours on this subject and love every minute of it.


If you’re a male or female under 30 and you’d like to be considered for this column, please email editor@livingnow.com.au with your details, including your phone number.


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