I am an Enlightened woman. What I did not realize is that I was actually planning my life in my early twenties! It all started when I married young and felt my womanhood explode.

I was Sadie, Sadie married lady, and to my way of thinking, that meant I was going to learn to entertain at home. Not to mention, lead charitable organizations, and meet and greet girlfriends from all walks of life. And, ultimately, live an empowered, enlightened, and luxurious life.

First and foremost, I would be an asset to my husband and a dedicated mom to my children. My goal was to leave my children with sound messages in their heads.

When we moved into our first apartment in Madison, Wisconsin, I decided I wanted a personal morning telephone greeting. I would answer our phone in a cheery and robust manner, “Good Morning!!”

How enlightening it felt to wish someone good morning on my end. And to hope my family and friends have the same feeling on the other end. My saying would start each day in an upbeat way. To this day good morning is my tradition. Always, I have danced to my own drummer and as I say, “I like it that way.”

 

MY SERENDIPITOUS ROUTE TO ENLIGHTENMENT

I never expressed my course of actions to anyone; not even to myself. I acted on my own intuitions because they felt right; they were right. They were empowering and every new step I took built my confidence level.

Over time I became more and more enlightened. I had so many serendipitous and ah-ha moments I followed. These led me to new and personal insights, new adventures, new growth. Not to mention, to new relationships.

Today I pride myself on being an enlightened and empowered woman. I luxuriate in curiosity; I am intent about everything I do and I believe the best is yet to come.

Over the course of the years, because of my insatiable thirst for collecting all forms of knowledge, I have earned a Ph.D. in life. From my life experiences, whether they be over the top fabulous or devastating. If you ask me, this qualifies me to answer your questions in my Enlightenment Salon.

WHAT IS AN ENLIGHTENMENT SALON?

I was in Paris not long ago. As you know this gorgeous city is often referred to as The City of Lights. Oui! Oui! Paris is visible; never invisible!

Every bridge, fountain, building, and street is lit up to stand out and enlighten its beauty. And you, my darling, at any age over 50 can light up and make up your mind to stand out and project your own light.

Paris entered a period from 1715-1789 called the Age of Enlightenment. The city became the center of an intellectual and philosophical movement. This became the foundation of modern intellectual culture.

So, The City of Lights was not about light bulbs! It was about Enlightenment. It was about reason and individualism rather than tradition.

The French women of Paris are the ones who initiated this period. They named their meeting place in their homes, Enlightenment Salons, and held meetings. They collected brilliant speakers and encouraged socialization between the nobles and the bourgeois. These women broke down social barriers and spoke on many topics to a room-filled audience. Intellectual and meaningful discussions brought happiness.

HONEY GOOD’S ENLIGHTENMENT SALON PREMIER

On my updated site, HoneyGood.com, previewing September 6, 2022, I am opening my home. It is my hope that my new online home, over time, will become our home. I naturally named it The Enlightenment Salon.

For several years I have had a dream to collect a group of women around me to celebrate their lives. To learn from them and to teach them the skills I have learned. With life lessons that made me a resilient and empowered woman. A happy woman who can teach you how to make your lemons into sweet lemonade.

UNCOMFORTABLE TALKING ABOUT MY ACCOMPLISHMENTS

I owe gratitude to many women who, without realizing, have had a great impact on my life. It may be from one simple sentence I am left with after our conversation. Or an action I observed that brought me to a new height in my own life. Here are two stories that are lessons for each of you.

JOYCE

I had a close friend,  Joyce, who told me that every 10 years she recreated herself. During one ten-year period, she owned a small newspaper in New York. When I met her she had sold the newspaper and become a jewelry designer. She collected beautiful beads and made stunning necklaces and earrings.

Perhaps most incredibly, she decided to move out of Manhattan. She began to feel, as she walked down 5th or Madison Ave, that she was no longer noticed because of her age.

Taking the bull by the horns, she moved with her husband to a city where she would feel beautiful. Palm Springs, where the majority of the citizens were older.

She recreated a new recipe to feel her visibility; to own her awesomeness. She even built a new business. Joyce knew herself, darling. She did not allow herself to lose her visibility or her beauty after 50. Many times over, she has made a plan to stay in the hunt and remain beautiful after 50. She is one of my role models and I am blessed to have known her.

MARSHA

I have a younger friend, Marsha. Though to society she may be considered overweight, she is gorgeous in everyone’s eyes. The minute she opens her mouth everyone in her presence goes into a ‘high zone.’ Her make-up is perfect. Her hair is shiny. Oh, and her outfits make her happy.

Marsha’s smile and laugh are contagious. Her inner beauty exudes confidence. She obviously decided that nothing will stop her from being a visible woman over 50. She is without question, one of my role models.

In the Honey Good Enlightenment Salon, the first topic open for discussion will be a great one. “How to Build your Invisibility and Age Exquisitely after the Age of 50.” I know you will join me in taking the Enlightenment Salon to the heights.

Have you considered joining a group like the Enlightenment Salon? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Join the conversation in the comments below.