I spent most of my life being afraid—afraid of failure, afraid of success, afraid of what people might think, afraid of change, but also afraid of horror movies, rollercoasters, big cities, dark alleys, travel, and the boogey man. My mind could invent worst-case scenarios like Hollywood’s best screenwriter, and I’d watch those movies in my mind in such vivid detail that they felt real—and paralyzed me.

Why do we give?
Why do we hold back?
What does it mean to give freely?
When we give of ourselves, what are we giving?
Can you give too much? Too much...love?

Please welcome back the extraordinary Tama J. Kieves, author of This Time I Dance: Creating The Work You Love, joining us today to talk about the wonderous space of transition and how stay the course, rest, experiment and explore.

"Surviving meant being born over and over again." Erica Jong

Freedom is not just about being able to choose anything you want. Freedom is ease with oneself. Believe me, you know this, when you're in a transition faced with goblins, jewels, and choices. See, the problem isn't that you don't know yet which life you want. The real problem is that voice in your head — which is just way too much like a jumpy crack junkie, or, say, a cattle-prodding "concerned" relative, who needs you to get a fix in the park — rather than take a walk in it.  This junkie is calling out the inner militia to make you DO something. But here's what you are doing: You are learning to trust yourself, your life and your spirit. You are learning the art of living a more inspired life.

Holy Vagina, Batman! One week until the release of What's Up Down There? Questions You'd Only Ask Your Gynecologist If She Was Your Best Friend! In anticipation of the big launch day (Sept 28), this week we are pleased to publish exclusive excerpts and blogs by our very own Dr. Lissa Rankin. Today's excerpt is on the time that shall not be named - well anywhere else, that is: Menopause. Check out Lissa's experiences and personal exploration of this time that most women dread and how we can embrace it with the kick-butt power and grace that make us uniquely female... Enjoy!

I used to dread menopause, as many of my patients do.

Who wants to endure hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, brain fog, insomnia, vaginal dryness, skin changes, and weight gain? But as this life transition draws closer to me, I find myself shedding my fear and beginning to embrace it. I would never want to move backwards in my life. Each year is filled with lessons learned and growth experiences. God forbid I should ever have to relive my twenties, full of insecurities, vanity, pride, and selfish choices. And my thirties, while vastly better than my twenties, were largely a time of walking through life like a zombie, asleep to my true calling, too busy DOING to just BE. Now, I’m in my forties, and I’m loving it.  I’m getting smile lines and grey hair and age spots, but I really don’t give a flip. Sure, the radiance of youth may fade as we age, but we glow with a different kind of light as we step into who we are truly meant to be.