About Melissa

About Melissa
I'm 54 and relishing it.

Oh yeah, I have my kvetches about aging.

But my fifties have been my time for flourishing again. And I know from working with thousands of women over 45 — as a psychotherapist and life coach for the last quarter century (where did the time go?) — that that I've got plenty of company in the second blossoming department.

I love how a woman can thrive after passing the crest of midlife:

• A letting go of struggle and drama (phew!)

• A clear sense of who she is, free of the burden of others' expectations

• A luscious savoring of the good things in life, knowing that all things pass, including herself

• A deep generosity toward the world, after her own well has refilled (which can take some time)
  

Sometimes getting to that thriving is not so easy.

My love of life was challenged by a tumultuous 50's transition: within 18 months both parents died, my daughter left home, I hit menopause, my home was devastated by Hurricane Katrina. In the midst of this I married a wonderful man, David.

I spent a long and difficult year grieving. And emerged from major upheaval into a real second blossoming in which I'm flourishing, and have a hoot doing so.

I've learned how to really, truly, deeply cherish my life.

All of it, including sagging breasts and belly, 2-second memory, and the inevitable sorrows. I relish the absence of struggle to make things happen. I go to sleep grateful and wake up curious to see what will unfold.

I love living in Seattle, gardening, chocolate, traveling and adventuring, reading in bed, chocolate, meditating, playing with David and our 2 cats, tai chi, weaving and knitting, walking Green Lake with friends. Did I say chocolate?

My professional life in brief:

• Psychotherapist, life coach, and spiritual director for 25 years

• Author of four books: Silver Linings: Finding Hope, Meaning, and Renewal in Times of Transition (Fair Winds, 2005); Exploring the Labyrinth: A Guide for Healing and Spiritual Growth (Random House, 2001); Souful Living: The Process of Personal Transformation (HCI, 2000); and If Only I Were A Better Mother (Stillpoint, 1994)
  

• Teacher of midlife spirituality and life transitions internationally. My work has appeared in Spirituality and Health,The New Age Journal, Personal Transformation Journal, BodyMindSpirit, and Common Ground.

• Program Director for the Harmony Hill Retreat Center for 10 years, where I created and facilitated retreats for people living with cancer, and retreats on spiritual renewal in life transitions

• Meditator for 40 years. Spirituality is an important part of my life. That deep love in which we live and move and have our being informs everything I do. I’m on the Board of the Forge Institute, devoted to creating community among people from diverse spiritual paths.
  

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There you have it! I’ve lived and breathed this stuff, personally as well as professionally. If you have any more questions, feel free to drop me a line at Melissa@MelissaGayleWest.com or give me a call at (206) 427-1325.