Menopause: Taking “The Change Of Life” Literally
What if the “change of life” meant a whole lot more than hormonal decline and a challenging array of physical symptoms? What if we actually looked upon menopause as an opportunity to reinvent ourselves and to pursue exciting new endeavors? Those in the midst of menopause are acutely aware of their physical changes, but may not have considered the personal growth, freedom, and opportunities afforded by this unique part of the female life cycle. In America, the average age of menopause is fifty-one, but perimenopausal symptoms are felt by women as early as age thirty-five. Since our hormones are already shifting, perhaps it is time to start having a paradigm shift as well.
In her book, Menopausal Years the Wise Woman Way, Susan Weed describes menopause as the years of transformation from potential mother to wise crone, or woman of wholeness. Weed contends that many women derive tremendous satisfaction from their role as mother and nurturer. Yet as the years wind down, it is not uncommon for us to turn away from care-taking and re-direct our energies towards self-discovery and inner growth.
“But how do I know if this really is menopause?” you ask as you awaken from fitful sleep, sweating; turning on the bathroom light to see your disheveled hair as big as Rosanne Rosannadanna’s! Your chin has been sprouting hairs and you feel like Jeff Goldbloom in the movie The Fly! You’ve been spreading your furrowed brows, secretly contemplating Botox. Your breasts and buttocks have begun to head south. Your energy is sloth-like, memory shot, libido down the drain…yes, this is menopause, and you are in good company!
By the time we reach 2013, more than 50 million women will have achieved menopause. According to Native American spiritual leaders, as outlined in Weed’s book, Mother Earth’s changes will culminate that same year. In light of recent tsunamis, hurricanes, and earthquakes, one can safely assume these changes are well under way. So if our collective change is Mother Earth’s change as well, at least the whole darned thing feels cosmic! Change is in the ethers, and we can resist with arms flailing and legs kicking or we can embrace it and create a new version of ourselves- and vision for ourselves.
In Dr. Susan Love’s Menopause and Hormone Book, menopause is aptly described as a transition into a whole new realm of a woman’s life. When the dust of hormonal angst settles and the smoke clears, we emerge with new ideas, interests, attitudes, and abilities. Dr. Love recommends casting off thoughts of menopause as a “deficiency disease” or as “ovarian failure.” We can reframe our way of contemplating menopause and free ourselves to blossom in productive, fulfilling and surprising ways.
In Every Woman’s Book, Paavo Airola, PhD. suggests that menopause be a time of spiritual growth as well as an opportunity for a woman to “perfect her human and divine characteristics, interests, and talents.” It is no wonder so many menopausal women sign up for college courses, start creative business ventures, take up long-forgotten hobbies, start non-profit organizations and set out to explore, and often change, the world. After all, Golda Meir, Indira Gandhi, Margaret Thatcher and Eleanor Roosevelt were all postmenopausal when they made their finest contributions.
Thousands of people move successfully through various life transitions by setting goals and taking necessary action steps. Releasing old thoughts patterns that no longer serve us is often necessary in creating a new paradigm to operate from. Women looking for a more positive and productive menopause and post-menopausal life might avail themselves of the services of a qualified life coach or EFT practitioner. Those needing to shape up physically might engage the services of a fitness trainer, chiropractor and/or massage therapist. Still others can benefit from nutritional counseling as they re-examine their dietary needs as they head into midlife.
Perhaps we need to see menopause for what it really is: a time to release our maternal role and re-emerge as focused, healthy, fit, creative and productive beings ready to explore new ways of thriving during this new phase of life.
