Get Naked! (Figuratively and Literally)

Sometimes you have to strip bare to reconnect with yourself. It may be a scary thought to be naked, both physically and mentally, but it's also an absolutely freeing experience. Comfort with your raw, unadulterated being is a true gift to self.

Find a time to be utterly alone. Take off your clothes (and your jewelry). Look at your face and body reflected back in a full length mirror. Think about what your body has been through, what it's done for you. Maybe you've carried babies, maybe you've got scars from accidents or surgeries, maybe you have a birthmark shaped like a pitchfork. It doesn't really matter, because it's the only body you'll ever have. Accept it in all its glory, embrace yourself.

Repeat the process with your mind. Strip away all the outside influences, if only for a little while. Don't think about other people's plans or expectations for you. Think your own thoughts. Consider, reflect, let your own inner illuminations come to the surface. You may realize that your thoughts have been trampled by everyone else's noise and chaos. It's ok to be you. As a matter of fact, not being true to you cheats you and those you love.

So go ahead, take it off. Take it all off!

Profound Change

Metamorphosis - a profound change in form from one stage to the next in the life history of an organism, as from the caterpillar to the pupa and from the pupa to the adult butterfly.

I would consider entering our 40s a profound change. We are no longer young women in the prime of our lives, neither are we old women nearing the twilight of our years. We are, for all intents and purposes, 'tweens again.

Remember when you weren't quite a teenager? You could be a tomboy one minute and a princess the next. Getting grubby on the playground didn't preclude wearing a pretty dress to a party. It didn't matter, because you were too busy LIVING!

That's how I see women in their 40s. We can be anything and do anything we like. If we want to live alone with 30 cats, or we want to be socialites with very full dance cards, we can. Of course, those are extremes, but you know what I'm getting at.

One of my goals for this year is to sing in public. I've always been afraid to, and not because I can't sing. Anytime I've tried, my hands get sweaty, I start to shake and my throat closes up. Classic stage fright. I will conquer this fear (if it kills me).

What's your goal for this year? Please share, I'm dying to know.

Me? 40? How did that happen?

I turned 40 in November of 2009. I was cruising toward the day just fine - no trepidation or anxiety here - until I received a birthday card from my mom. "As you turn 40..." it said. Right then it hit me! I was going to say goodbye to my 30s.

I wandered around for a few days giving my 40th birthday some serious thought. I considered my first 40 years. I'm not gonna lie, there were some definite ups and downs. I held a few jobs, married and divorced twice and then took the plunge for the third time, birthed 3 beautiful children, I tried my hand at PR and marketing, web design and editing. I learned to crochet and make jewelry. I read tons of books. I became a good cook, an amateur gardener and a great friend.

Then, I entertained the idea that I could consciously choose what the next 40 years look like. I came to the conclusion (no big surprise) that life is short, there are many things I still want to do, and I WILL do them!

One of those things is starting this blog. I've had some interesting discussions with women friends who are in their fifth decade. Not one of them fits a specific stereotype, but what they do share is a certain smile and glow when asked about how it is to be 40. I want to explore that here.

Feel free to comment or email me if you'd like to guest post about your 40s.

Welcome to your metamorphosis....