Quickzine #4

Understanding Change

Flexibility! After twenty odd years following the same routine what is that? As we age we get set in our regular patterns, they're comforting and reassuring. There is security in knowing exactly how our day will roll out. But menopause is all about change. We experience it at every stage of our transition, not just with our bodies but in our life with kids, career, friends and parents. You'd think we'd be used to it and know how to handle it.

According to Sidney E. Simon, Ed.D., author of Getting Unstuck: Breaking Through Your Barriers to Change, one of the major roadblocks to change is lack of self-esteem. We may not feel we are good enough to have what we really want or that we don't have the skills or willpower or even support from our family and friends. We are stopped from moving forward by our own limitations before we even begin taking any steps.

Change, however, is a part of life and women in transition need to embrace it to become ageless. They need to explore new ideas to fight off memory loss, practice new ways of moving to battle degenerative diseases, create new relationships to support and encourage their changes and they need to explore their new powers as wise women to help the next generation understand their role in life.

Embracing change and understanding that it comes to us whether we want it or not is part of our journey to becoming wise women. "Do not look back in anger, or forward in fear, but around in awareness." James Thurber.

Dealing with Fatigue

Fluctuating hormones can reek havoc on our energy levels.  Androgen, the "male" hormone associated with energy and a sense of well-being and estrogen are both in decline.  The result can be poor sleep and no energy.  What a combination!  But they aren't the only culprit draining our energy.  High levels of insulin and low blood sugar can also be sapping your energy.   Here are a few suggestions that may help:

• Cut out caffeinated beverages as they may further upset the insulin/blood sugar balance.  Try drinking the the Becoming Ageless Tea Blend instead.
• Sea vegetables contain minerals and phytonutrients that feed the nervous, immune and hormonal system.  Try some new recipes using sea vegetables at least once a week.  Remember, sushi counts!
• Change from eating three meals a day to five or six small meals a day to keep your blood glucose levels up.
• Traditional Chinese Medicine uses ginseng to increase energy levels.  Check with your naturopathic physician first however, as it may increase your blood pressure.
• Ayur Vedic medicine suggests a brisk 10- minute walk first thing in the morning to improve mood and energy.
• Tai Chi is an effective form of movement that can revitalize and energize.
• Dry brushing in the morning before a shower can stimulate circulation and raise energy levels. 
• Understand that you may not be able to do the same level of activities you once could.  Perhaps you need more breaks or to cut back on some activities.  Perhaps you need to let go of perfectionism or allow yourself more time to finish a task. 
• Make sure you rule out other causes of fatigue like anemia or thyroid problems.

Finding Your Purpose

Speaking to a friend the other day we started talking about the emotional ups and downs of transition. Her children were growing up and moving away. The job she once found so satisfying wasn't cutting it for her anymore and her artwork was becoming more a business than a passion. She felt useless. Her past life was changing and didn't need her anymore and her new life hadn't quite coalesced into anything worthwhile or satisfying. She felt as though she was floating in between lives, not connecting with either but desperately searching for solid ground. Many women face transition with similar feelings, without direction, purpose or a mission.

The journey to Becoming Ageless is one of discovery and process. It's about discovering that the direction, purpose and mission is within you waiting to be revealed, waiting for you to open yourself up to it and accept it. We are naturally, intentionally becoming wiser. We see relationships with clearer vision, we understand the human condition more fully and we feel injustice and inequality more exquisitely. How can we take those growing gifts and focus them into a purpose?

• Practice the Candle Meditation we learned in class. It helps you fine tune your focus when meditating.
• Instead of struggling with the idiosyncrasies of relationships and people, open your heart to them. What can they teach you? Project healing energy towards them and in doing so you will receive energy from the Source.
• Slow down enough to hear any messages your inner intuition is trying to give you. That gut instinct you got in the habit of turning off, may be trying to tell you something. Try recording some of the intuitive flashes you get.
• Record your dreams, they are a powerful tool. Researchers have found that as we age we don't slip into REM, or rapid eye movement sleep as often or for as long as we did when we were younger. REM sleep is the time for dreaming. So when you do dream, write them down, even if it's the middle of the night! Get a book on dream interpretation or in the morning lay quietly in bed and ask your inner self or your Source what message lies within them. You may be surprised at how revealing they can be.

Each of these ideas helps you develop your inner ear or intuition. They help you practice and focus on the messages your inner self or Source is presenting to you. However, you need to listen. Still your mind and body, and listen!