For quite a while the "midlife crises" was assigned to men. Wives were advised to be patient, overlook the "craziness" and wait it out. Women's midlife transition was labeled "the change of life." Husbands were advised to be patient when their wives became "hysterical." Doctors often treated "hysteria" by performing hysterectomies.

Wow! Times have changed, haven't they?

Both men and women of today's baby boom generation are freer than ever to let the inner fire of the midlife transition fuel their exploration of their spiritual side.

There are several things that make this possible:

-more women have the financial freedom to leave stale, stifling marriages

-more men are becoming comfortable with the self-exploration that personal and spiritual growth requires.

For both men and women, the challenge of midlife is to muster the courage to claim the right to answer the call of their soul. It takes courage to break with tradition. It takes courage to withstand criticism and ridicule that comes when you have had enough of living a false life.

Exchanging the façade for the transparency of being your Authentic Self is fraught with emotional turmoil and gripping uncertainty.

It is the turmoil and uncertainty that lead many people to search for the answers to the age old questions: "who am I and why am I here?" The reward of embarking on this quest is the increased possibility of creating a life that works.

Those with the courage to take the road less traveled will surely be blessed with a life that is increasingly more joyful. The more you know who you are and act in integrity with your authentic self, the less struggle you experience. The essence of spiritual growth is to discover who you truly are, and to live in integrity with that.

3 Things You Need to Successfully Become Your Authentic Self.

1. A determination to live a joyful, struggle-free life (no matter what).

The American culture is founded on Puritan ethics of hard work and keeping busy to avoid the idle hands that were purported to be the devil's playthings! It is an ingrained attitude that can be hard to change, especially when some people scowl at you and ask "so what are you so happy about?" like it is a crime to be living in the flow of life—working at a comfortable pace—taking time to smell the roses—saying "no" to stuff that sucks your life energy—and saying "yes" to things that feed your heart and soul.

2. A willingness to change how you think (because what you think about, you bring about).

A basic spiritual growth principle is that your outer life is a reflection of what is going on inside of you, usually unconsciously. If you want to create a more joyful, struggle-free life, you have to uncover the hidden beliefs that have created what you have going on right now. If you want to create a better future, you must create a better now. It is the only way.

3. Contact with others who are successfully making the transition (so you don't give up because it can sometimes seem impossible).

There's a plethora of books, workshops, groups, classes, organizations, and professions devoted to clearing the way for you to discover your true self, your authentic self, and to encourage and inspire you to drop what's holding you back and take on that which supports your soul's journey.

If you like to read, go to you favorite bookstore and browse the New Age, Metaphysical, Spirituality sections. Pay attention to which books "call you." It might be the title. It might be the color. Books have been know to "jump off the shelf" to attract your attention. This is a great opportunity to play with following your intuition.

If you prefer something more physical, explore Yoga, Tai Chi, Aikido, or seeing an energy practitioner for cranio-sacral work, or Bowen therapy, or Network Chiropractic. The choices are many.

If you're style is more inner-focused, join a meditation group, take a weekend retreat, attend a workshop, and find a spiritual group that is aligned with your values.

But watch out for rigid belief systems. Becoming your Authentic Self is a unique, personal experience. Everyone is different. You are the authority in your life. You do know what is best for you. And don't let anyone tell you differently. Trust yourself!

Pick a path of exploration and get going. Your heart and soul will thank you!