Everything in your life is going along as usual. There are the usual demands; the usual stresses, your body and your mind are changing, as is usual for your age. Then it happens, you wake up one morning hungry, maybe ravenous, for something new. An unusual urge inside has your attention, it invites you, and it compels you. This is the beginning of the adventure of mid-life.
There is an incredible potency to this time in life and it is lays the foundation for a fruitful and satisfying second adulthood. The choices you make at this time in your life will be the guiding forces for the rest of your life. The invitation in midlife is to become awake, to become conscious to ourselves and take responsibility for the story of our lives rather than waiting to see how it turns out. The power of being truly present in our lives is to realize that our lives are something more than a succession of years. Being fully present is cherishing our uniqueness, our essence, it is about identifying and standing by our values and beliefs and pursuing our own truth.
Midlife presents cultural challenges in that as we age, we seem to become more invisible.† Herein lies a paradox.† While†a predominant message in our culture may lead us to see ourselves as more invisible (and perhaps powerless), an inner power is emerging and we see ourselves more clearly than ever. The conscious choice to be present banishes our confusion and releases our energy. When we embrace the freedom to speak and live our true selves; it becomes a passionate commitment.
Midlife draws us into a mystery. If we are willing to enter into that seeming chaos we will be rewarded with fresh, creative energy and spirit. It means being willing to bear the challenge of insight and to confront what is no longer working for us. By coming into our full experience of ourselves, we unburden our souls and clear the way to live on purpose a rather than randomly. We feel true to ourselves rather than feeling that there is something missing. By remembering that we are the owners of our lives, we become powerful beyond measure. As we let go of what has become familiar and move toward what is to be, we experience both a loss and an incredible craving. We grieve the loss of the patterns, the roles we have had in our lives up to this point. We long for new meaning and a deeper sense of meaning. This letting go allows the soul to open to new growth. We discover previously hidden and emerging talents, desires and confidence. The longings for meaning, for integrity, for wholeness are driving forces in midlife. Being present with those driving forces provides a promise of renewed clarity, enthusiasm and strength.
Copyright ©2004. All rights reserved. Barbara Wieland Mark