Women's Issues Articles

 

Menopause as a New Beginning
By Barbara Hannelore

As each equinox approaches, I become aware that the end of one cycle
always contains the beginning of another. planned to write about
menopause in February, as menopause coincides with the deep
reflection of winter, the end of a cycle. I never did get the
newsletter out because I was deep in my own menopausal process the
whole month! Now, as spring approaches, it still feels appropriate to
consider menopause because, of course, it contains a new beginning.

You may have read Dr. Christiane Northrup's book, 'The Wisdom of
Menopause.' It shows how the changes of menopause invite a powerful
review of our lives, and a chance to move forward with renewed
energy. Two hormones, FSH and LH, elevate during menopause. They
activate the part of the brain governing memory and intuition. This
is why memories come up that we thought we had dealt with long ago.
There is an upheaval going on, with hidden things coming to the
surface. This is such a powerful opportunity for healing and renewal!

Dr. Northrup has found that while symptoms of menopause may be due to
a chemical imbalance, many have an emotional cause, due to unresolved
issues or trauma that are stored in the body. This stress may
manifest during menopause, as a plea for attention, so we can provide
the love or change needed in order to be healed. Serious symptoms of
menopause may be treated with hormones or anti-depressants, and the
woman may feel better. But if the cause is due to a deeper unresolved
issue, the relief may not be permanent.

A conversation Dr. Northrup had with a woman on Oprah illustrated
this beautifully. The woman looked so sad and discouraged. She was
there with her husband, an ob/gyn! He had tried everything to help
her feel better, yet nothing roused her from her melancholy.

Dr. Northrup turned to him with understanding and said, "This is
something you can't fix for her!" She then said to the woman, "This
is about you finding your passion again. Menopause brings you back to
yourself. You need to take some time off and consider who you are and
what you want. What have you lost, or neglected? What did you enjoy
doing as a girl?" (I am paraphrasing here; I don't recall her exact
words.)

You should have seen the woman's face light up. She became charged
with energy and exclaimed with a bright smile, "You mean I can be a
ballerina now?" Everyone laughed and Dr. Northrup said, "Many women
take up dance at midlife!"

I myself have started dancing and moving lately, more than I have
done in a long time. I have also faced powerful emotions, stemming
from childhood, that were really getting in the way of things I need
to do, now. Even though I have done this work before, here it is
again. Another layer asking for my attention.

A skilled counselor has been helping me with inner child work,
something I have not done in several years. There are pains inside me
that need a witness, need Love, the great Healer. I can bring that
Love to myself now, and be that witness. Over and over again, I can
say to my inner child, "It's okay...all your feelings are okay...tell me
how you're feeling... I'm here." It can seem exhausting, but I'm going
to be having the feelings anyway. Better to address them than try to
avoid them or blame them on someone else.

Remember, just as your attention may become diffuse, less focused,
each month during menstruation, you can find the same thing happening
at menopause. Give yourself the gift of interpreting this in a self-
loving way. Rather than, "inefficient...spaced-out...hormonal," which are
the dismissive words of our "driven" culture, consider it
differently. Know that if your attention is not focused outward, it
is because it is being drawn inward for a time! Find some time to
explore your inner world. This is a sacred opportunity.


Resources:

Each of these books addresses this deeper, "soul work" aspect of
menopause. Each book is based on the author's own powerful,
disruptive and enlightening experience at midlife.

'The Wisdom of Menopause' by Dr. Christiane Northrup

'The Seven Sacred Rites of Menopause' by Kristi Meisenbach Boylan -
Using the imagery of Camelot, she describes a woman's journey into
herself and out again.

'Transformation through Menopause' by Marian Van Eyk McCain - In one
chapter, she guides us to Dance it Out, Write it Out, and Draw it
Out, bypassing the logical mind and freeing the unexpressed parts of
ourselves.

'Creative Menopause' by Farida Sharan
Full of empowering perspectives and herbal remedies.

Transpersonal Counseling - Phone sessions have been working great for
me, so no matter where you are, you can contact Beverly Bright at
805-672-2942, 888-879-6079 or www.BeverlyMarieBright.com

copyright 2005, B. Hannelore. All Rights Reserved.

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Feel free to distribute this article to friends or colleagues who
might enjoy it, or to copy it for your ezine or website, as long as
you include the attribution below.

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This article was written by author & speaker Barbara Hannelore (A.A.,
B.A.), who developed the Women's Way Program to provide women with a
way of reconnecting with their female wisdom. She leads workshops and
seminars that provide a way for women to heal together, play together
and witness each other's life passages in community. For more
information, please link to http://www.womensway.ws

To subscribe to the Women's Way newsletter, send a blank email to:
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copyright 2005, B. Hannelore. All Rights Reserved.

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The Women's Way Program PO Box 1096, Dept. C Goleta, CA 93116
1-877-297-7482

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