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As a woman who has lived through many passages and learned through my larger than life experiences (positive and negative), I’ve discovered how to take a big empowering bite out of life.

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How to Thrive, Finding Strength and Spirit in the Unknown

Image of a woman with gray hair looking over her shoulder seated at a table, with a rye smile and red lipstick knowing how to find strength in the unknown.

Here’s now to find strength in the unknown, and thrive!

An impending hurricane swirling towards Florida throws a friend and me into a whirlwind of worry. Her children and granddaughter, new residents of the Sunshine State, face the unknown with limited support. It’s a scene that stirs an old memory, a timely reminder of the strength and spirit we discover when confronted by the unfamiliar.

If you’ve ever been in the midst of a hurricane (in this case I mean this literally!) then you will understand that it is a time when untold stories come out. Thankfully, I was not in harm’s way, but a friend’s loved ones were.

She and I were in deep conversation about a massive hurricane headed toward Florida. Her children and baby granddaughter had just moved to Florida and the opinions of ‘what they should do’ were coming from all directions. Her “baby” and her baby granddaughter were in a new area, with little support, facing the unknown. Let’s be honest, it was a scary prospect.

Their ages and the tales of this new, unsettling experience brought back an old memory that I shared with my girlfriend.  The memory I shared with her was a poignant reminder that we find our strength and feed our spirit when we face the unknown.

My girlfriend said, “You have to write a story about your experience.” And that is what I am doing.

How to Have a Rose-Colored Glasses Attitude

My Story as a Young New Mother

At the very young age of 21, with a new baby girl, six weeks old, I moved to Georgia.

When I moved to the military base, Fort Benning in Columbus, Georgia, I did so without my second Lieutenant husband, who had orders to precede me by two weeks. I knew no one and I had never been on a military base. I had never flown alone with an infant.

My mother said, “You can’t take care of your goldfish, how are you going to fly across America with a newborn to a military base in Georgia!”

How would you have reacted to my circumstances at the age of 21?

Would you have made the move with feistiness, moxie, and bravery?  

And then ask yourself, at this very moment in time, if you are stretching yourself at your present age, past 50?  Would you move to a new community, start a new business, travel to Rwanda in Africa to visit the silverbacks (read about my experience here!)?

How to Have a Bloomer’s Attitude After 50+

My Strength And Spirit

I told my friend, recounting the experience, “I never doubted myself. Sure, I was afraid of the unknown. But, I had no fear of failure.”

And then I explained why…

The town I grew up in, Kankakee by the Sea, was my most important teacher on the subject of survival. The town, thank God, taught me to adapt as a young girl to every situation that requires true grit, an ability to stretch myself without breaking, a positive attitude that I will succeed. After all, I believe that grace and grit are important traits for empowered women.

I faced situations that exceeded reasonableness for a young girl, but I left the town with a feeling of positive power and an earthiness in my soul, that small town girls have.

That small town way of thinking, to this day, keeps me grounded, kind, and open to meeting people from all walks of life. Thank you, Kankakee by the Sea.

This was who I was as the young woman who flew to an unknown military base in the South. I may not have had the prowess to know how to clean my fish bowl, but I knew how to survive, and thrive. What I knew was that I would participate and enjoy my new surroundings — even with cockroaches — which I outlived (I killed them with spray starch)!

image of a banner encouraging you to share this story about vintage skincare if you know someone who would enjoy it.

How I Survive — and Thrive — Even Today

As we age we have a choice. We can stay in the race and continue to dream big dreams. I intend to do just that.

I am still that young girl walking alone with my baby into those gates at Fort Benning looking only forward to the unknown. How many of you feel that same way? Many of you, I’m sure, can relate.

I know I am older but so what? My gray hair does not bother me not nor do my lines. I lead a beautiful life.

Every day is, in fact, unknown. And that is where you bloom. Strength and spirit flourish amongst new experiences. Open up your arms, at every age, and welcome the adventure with a grin and a wink. I know I will.

How to Find the Silver Lining and Bloom Where You’re Planted

Life, like a hurricane, throws unexpected things our way. But we can cultivate a sense of optimism to find the joy in the unexpected. It’s not about ignoring challenges; it’s about choosing to focus on the possibilities, the chance to grow and explore.

This youthful spirit, this ability to see the bright side, is a quality that transcends age. Even when faced with difficulties, there’s always a chance to find the silver lining.

Are you looking through rose-colored glasses at your current situation? Perhaps there’s a hidden opportunity waiting to be discovered. Maybe a local class you’ve been meaning to try, a volunteer opportunity that piques your interest, or a hidden gem in your own city waiting to be explored. Embrace the unknown, big or small, and keep your spirit youthful and optimistic.

Life, at any age, is a journey filled with unexpected turns. But by choosing to see the world through a lens of possibility, just like we did in our youth, we can find the strength and courage to navigate any storm, be it a literal hurricane or the everyday challenges life throws our way.

I am smiling.

HAVE YOU FACED A SITUATION WHERE YOU FOUND STRENGTH IN THE UNKNOWN? PLEASE SHARE YOUR STORY WITH ME IN THE COMMENTS!

June 23, 2024

Passages After 50, Relationships

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  1. Jane says:

    Honey, this was great!! I have had more challenges than I can enumerate here and your advice is terrific!!! Thank you so much!!!

  2. Janet Adolphson says:

    Honey, I love your story! When I was in my mid-twenties, my husband of three years passed away. I decided then to start over and move from my hometown of New Orleans to Chicago. It was the best thing I ever did, as it taught me how to survive on my own and handle problems with no one else to help me. It definitely made me stronger and very independent, and I am always open to new experiences.

    • Susan "Honey" Good says:

      Your story is much like mine. Different cities. Different ages. But we are stronger and wiser for our experience. Warmly, Honey

  3. Jean says:

    Great advice at any age. I continue to read you every day and enjoy your enthusiasm for life.

  4. Kay Stringer says:

    Honey, love reading your posts! May I ask you a question? Are you and your husband left handed? I notice you both wear your watches on your right hands. I am a lefty and notice such things….maybe that is another reason I feel a kinship to you!
    Love and hugs,
    Kay

    • Susan "Honey" Good says:

      I am smiling. You are very observant. My husband is left-handed. I am not. I wear my watch on my right hand because of one of the principles of Feng Shui that says nothing electrical can come between you and your heart. Warmly, Honey

  5. Cindy Nuckols says:

    I’m full of new adventures in my mind but my physical limitations prohibit me to embark on some of them but that doesn’t stop me from doing them in my mind cause like you im still that young girl riding her horse into the next adventure and experience. Thank you for your blog and for sharing.

  6. /Sandrala says:

    Honey, You know me! I am 74 & currently planning to fly across the state of Wash. this August. This does not sound like a Big Deal but it is to me. I have been a kidney dialysis patient for over 6 1/2 years, so will have to do dialysis for one week in a strange, new-to-me setting in Idaho. Last 2 times that I went to distant towns I had very negative experiences w/ dialysis in a new place. One place could not even give it to me! Please keep me in your prayers.

    • Susan Good says:

      You are in my prayers. Do your due diligence before you leave. Cross your T’s and dot your I’d. This will give you a good state of mind. If you have a problem, I bet my money on you to solve it. Have a joyful trip. Travel safe. God Bless. Warmly, Honey

  7. Luz Rivera says:

    At 82 years old I am still full of dreams. My life has been very, very difficult but the difficulties has not stopped me from dreaming and welcoming each day with an open heart. Life is not worth it without a positive attitude.

    • Susan Good says:

      You made my day! I agree 100 percent. I have my crosses to bear, too, but I carry on. It is worth it. Warmly, Honey

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