Introducing the Enlightened Girl

I have always had a dream of sharing my life’s stories and journey, because I believe women do not share enough. We only share the happy and successful parts, driven by vanity. So, having already experienced so much in my life, I decided to pursue my dream and created The Enlightened Girl, a blog that I hope will serve as a platform where we can share real stories, about real women, for real women. Women who resonate with my deep desire to grow and evolve into enlightened versions of themselves so we can be more present and impactful in this world.

Life is a rollercoaster and time is fleeting, so we must be present every day. I am 45 years old and there is a rich tapestry to my life. Not yet complete, the experience of every moment, event and choice continues to define and shape this tapestry – and me.

I believe there are two types of people in this world: givers, and takers. Givers give with no boundaries, and takers take with no boundaries. For a long time, I have attracted the takers, who fed off my energy, pocket, and time – who learned and then left. To those I say, thank you for the lesson and I wish you the very best always.

I have always believed in the power of love. I see only love in this world; through the struggles, death, grief, break-ups, divorces, the boardroom politics, and through life. Love is my North Star. I win with love. Similar to author Sun Tsu’s book, “The Art of War”, I have my template: “The Art of Love.”

Before we start on this journey, let me introduce myself:

I am Sharon Naidoo (nee Moodley)

I have been working in the corporate environment for 24 years, and the last twelve years in the capacity of Chief Finance Officer and General Manager.

I am the eldest of three siblings and the eldest grandchild on my maternal side. I am probably the first woman to go to university on my mother’s side, and fall somewhere in the middle of a host of academics on my paternal side. Being the eldest meant I carried most of the family’s expectations – the hopes and dreams of a generation denied opportunities, education, living and a life of choice.

The general Indian man wants a son as a firstborn to carry forward his name, my father wanted a daughter to carry forward his heart. My grandfather wanted a granddaughter to carry forward his legacy. My aunts, uncles and cousins wanted a family matriarch. I, amidst all this, simply want me, Sharon.

I am a mother to three beautiful souls, handpicked for me by God and hand-raised by me -– my son, who just turned 16, and two bulldogs (10 and 2).

I have had four notable relationships in my life that ended; the first was due to religious preferences, the second due to suicide, the third in divorce and the fourth because of ego.

In a past life, a promise was made to always find each other in every birth. A promise he kept.

It had been a long and painful journey for my heart, becoming the woman I needed to attract the man God intended for me, but I finally found my soulmate at the age of 44. I am also an aunt to his two amazing teenagers (almost 18 and 16).

The Enlightened Girl

In this blog, I am going to talk about all these chapters, revealing the things women daren’t share mental health, abuse, love, boardroom taboos, and feminism. Life is unkind, and yet so beautiful at the same time. I want to explore the meaning and purpose of my own life, and hopefully inspire others to do the same.

Like Shakespeare said: “the purpose of life is to give it away”.

And so, I leave you with this poem that I wrote to myself:

Dear Little Girl,

You are loved, you are worthy, and you are enough.

Your light is bright, your soul is pure, and your spirit is free.

You are deserving of this love, see you through the eyes to thee.

Your kindness, your warmth, your love, and your soul is on fire.

He adores you, just as you do him.

Embrace this beautiful love, conspired by the ones who now call Heaven, home.

You are his and he is yours.

Your road to love, filled with promises broken.

Rejection made you feel less, and saw your trust stolen.

Heal your hurt, accept your rejection.

Scars of wars long past left for reflection.

Face your fears, so that they may pass.

Say your goodbyes, keep them in the past.

Your soul is home in his, your fire is kindled.

You are living in full; this love is just yours.

Imperfectly perfect, for you two to share.

His beautiful soul, his beautiful heart.

Looking at you through his beautiful eyes.

You are safe and home in his soul.

You are loved, and you are not alone.

Yours Sincerely,

The Enlightened Girl