Most of us like to think that a mutually agreed upon divorce or simple job lay off is not shameful. But something in our culture and deep within our own psyche begs to differ. I found my own divorce to feel quite shameful. What I say now is that any divorce, no matter how mutally desired, traumatizes the people involved and feels like a failure on some level. »more»

Do you feel like you are in a battle for your life?

A lot of us do. We feel that unease and restlessness and want to make it go away. The harder we try to ignore it, distract it or drug it, the more miserable we feel. »more»

Poetic justice was in the air last night at Sara Davidson's book signing at Dutton’s Bookstore in Brentwood, California. Davidson thoughtfully chronicled her years of age-related abandonment by the "Hollywood" establishment and much of the publishing world. An appreciative audience included friends, fans and family (including the father of her children, and her mother) -- the people in her life who never deserted her. »more»

What will happen when a generation that's been told it's special in every way faces middle age?

It's not going to be pretty. New research says that Gen Y is more narcissistic that prior generations. And that means they aren't well suited to the mid-course corrections necessary in midlife.

Gen Y's midlife crisis may be the largest in history. »more»

Writer Sara Davidson life was falling apart and she didn't know what to do.

"For the first time since college, I have no work. After 24 years and several award nominations, I can't get hired to write for television. I can't sell articles to magazines or books to publishers and I don't know how I'll earn money. ... During this same period, my lover of seven years, a cowboy artist I'd expected to spend the rest of my days with, rides off with no discussion. My children, who've occupied my first thoughts on waking and my last before falling asleep, are off at college. ... My kids, my lover, and my livelihood are being yanked from me at once and there's nothing I can do."

Why, she wondered, was she still here? »more»

After many years of working around human development, I have watched people who go through significant growth experience stress in their families. Even when change is for the better, change is still change. »more»

When Susan Crandell walked away from her dream job as editor-in-chief of More magazine to become a freelance writer, she wondered if she would really find the better life she sought. Combining her newfound freedom and knowing that she wasn't the only middle aged person thinking about changing their life, she set off to investigate what she calls "life entrepreneurs" -- people who act on their vision of a "richer, fuller" future for themselves.

The result is "Thinking About Tomorrow," a look at forty-five people who reinvented themselves at midlife -- and the lessons they learned along the way. These weren't just career changes: these transformations encompass spirituality, education, and taking in the world. In turn, Crandell learned a lot about what goes into a successful midlife makeover.

She generously shared her insights with us in this email interview.. »more»

I was reading this article how to become a better dad on the Men's Health Magazine Blog recently. It had some good points. »more»

"I'm at home with no kids and no work. After 24 years and several award nominations, I can't get hired to write for television. ... At the same time, my partner of seven years takes off with no discussion, and my children, who've occupied my first thoughts on waking and my last before falling asleep, are off at college. ...My kids, my lover and my livelihood are being yanked from me at once and there's nothing I can do.

... What am I supposed to do for the next 30 years? I've raised my kids, written best sellers, had deep love ... Why am I still here? »more»

You're a type-A list maker. You're going to die. So how should you figure out what to do with the next thirty-plus years of your life?

1) make a list.
2) Or buy a book with the list ready-made -- if you can choose which one! »more»