The Age of Miracles: Embracing the New Midlife

I love how Marianne Williamson is willing to be honest about the lessons we all learn in consciousness. Like others, she definitely believes that our thoughts create our reality - however, she is one of the very few who is willing to say that any expansion or improvement in the state of our consciousness is often gained through the repetition of many trials and errors.So many of the self-help books today make it sound like all you have to do is think positively. And if you're not getting the results you want, the insinuation is that there must be some flaw in your character. But from my own experience, not dealing with what is already negative within us is like trying to seal up an infected wound.Marianne honestly and artfully describes the need to understand this throughout the book. In the chapter titled "I Will Survive" she says, "...nothing is a more powerful state of being than a deep acceptance of what is. Too often we inquire about a situation, 'How can I change this?' when we should be asking, 'How can I dwell within this circumstance in the highest possible way?'" In yoga philosophy this would be called the path of surrender, one of several paths to spiritual enlightenment.As the book progresses the discussion turns from relationships to more global issues and the survival of our species, not to mention all other life, with a sense of urgency and purpose.The author and I appear to have grown up during the same span of time, so I relate very clearly to her references of life during the 60's and 70's. And I agree that mid-life is like a different kind of puberty. I have felt the call she describes to become more of myself, to be more authentic and to aspire to fulfull my highest and best purpose in this life very intensely in the past 10 years.This book represents a turning point in the collective experience of baby boomers everywhere. Just as we stirred things up in the late 60's and early 70's, the transition to mid-life of this huge demographic group is sure to make some waves again.Like Marianne says, it's hard to understand aging until you've been there. As complacent as our society has become in dealing with social problems, it's time for the baby boomers to rise again and take a new stand in the effort to raise global consciousness to a higher level.

I liked this book because it really makes you think on what you want to do with the rest of your life. Up to a certain point your life does start when you hit midlife. You view life and the world differently by then. And you don't have much more time left to fool around, you really have to focus on what you truly want and how you want to experience it. Before this age you might have lived the life you needed to live, and not the life you wanted (which is my case), in order lo learn many things. But at this point you are entitled and obliged to live the life you really want to live.The author gives good advice as to how we should live after we hit the midlife line in our life odometer. You can take it or leave it, but she does have a point. When you hit midlife it's more likely that you already have a different perspective of life due to experience and that you are more mature (which you reach at any age or not at all), so you can totally relate to her own experiences and enjoy her advice. You can even try changing some attitude traits and ideas for your best interest and improvement as human beings. The book is oriented to women, but men wont get hurt if they read it. They might even learn a couple of things and understand what women go through when they reach midlife.

This was a good read. My favorite part was when it suddenly came to me how when you're in your mid 40's you finally realize you will never be that 30 something again. It takes the pressure off to know you don't have to be young to have a great life.. it's ok to be right where you are. You see the young ones in the hi heels, running around partying having fun living with no crazy responsibilities. It's nice to feel like you already had your turn. To quote Marriane: It is their turn now. Let them be the wild horses, we can just relax and enjoy where we are.Wow i was so enlightened by this book. I love being my age and where I am at in my life. It took this book to really make me appreciate it!

Fantastic timely reframe of the dreaded Middle Age. Shifts perspectives, challenges stale societal beliefs. Highly recommend.

Now 53 myself, this book was a "needed" read. It's difficult getting older and wondering who I am now that the child is off to college, I'm single still, my first career is not able to be resurrected and my body, eyes and sometimes spirit, are sagging more and more...and am I even slightly alluring, interesting or valuable any more? I knew Marianne's writings would help guide me from negativity and despair! (LOL) Really, she is so insightful and delivers it all with love, kindness and yet, firmness. Thank you, Marianne!

If you have any doubts about your capacity to live, laugh, and love with ease and grace at midlife, read this book! Ms. Williamson's ability to bring to light the thoughts and feelings we grapple with as we "come into our own" at midlife is fabulous. There's an inner knowing in all of us that is brought to the fore, and supports the priestess we feel emerging as we move into a time of beauty and grace at midlife that is often not acknowledged by society or those around us. We are being offered a new way of life that creates magnificence for both the feminine and masculine, and the beauty of that way is amazing!

Marianne's wisdom is such a welcome example of the so called "mid-life" that a lot of us currently find ourselves. I'm a firm beliver that 60 is the new 40 and I'm blessed to experience that fact each and everyday of my life. The reason it is so easy for me is the availability of books like this one that remind us of "who we really are" and show us a kinder, gentler way of "being" in this world. I would recommend this book to any woman, but especially those who don't yet understand how blessed we are to have reached this glorious mid-life experience!

I love her, I really do. She is an awesome writer and a wealth of knowledge. But this one, I was close to hurling it into a fiery bin. I did NOT Want to hear about the religious aspects of things (far too religious for my liking though I AM Christian, I just didn't agree with her .. phraseology?) She's an awesome writer though!! I Did enjoy it to a point. There was a lot of relevance, but just could not get on with the religious aspects. That's my business !! lol (but I DO appreciate where she's coming from). it's just -- well I'm menopausal - and let's equate this to a woman giving natural child birth. Do you think that woman giving birth will believe you when you say - that pain is all in your head!! It's ok! Just breathe through it! You'd want to grab that person by the throat and hurl them across the room and help them to sing a new octave higher! (This book sort of felt like that?? only through menopause.. I couldn't finish it... ) :/ Very sorry. I DO love this author. Wishing her all the best. Will see if there's others maybe to try.

I enjoyed reading this book very much.This is a book written by a person who has lived her life very aware of its spiritual perspectives. In this book Marianne Williamson views her experiences from the "afternoon of life" perspective. She frequently refers to "The Course of Miracles" as she presents her ideas. Also, she refers a lot to her own experiences and so her observations carry an air of authenticity.I like her whimsical style of writing. There is no dogma present. Rather questions are raised very perceptively. I am sure anyone who believes that the best of our years are in our youth will find themselves challenged when they read the book."Life will be at any point exactly what we program it to be". Life is not something that just happens to us. We can be responsible for making our life what we want it to be....... and with many experiences behind us, mid age presents us with the opportunity to really crack what life is all about as well as indulge in the "magic" of moments. We can love again but beyond the illusion that one person can "erase our pain".We are left with a feeling of optimism that "all will be well".

I thought I was the only person feeling like hitting my 50's was 'the end of the road' but Marianne Williamson put it into perspective in terms of still feeling worthy, sexy, visual and needed in the midlife zone. I recommend this book to ALL women who hit their 50's and feel that life is over. Yes, you've probably lived over 50% of your life but there's still so much more to do whilst you're still here!

Marianne Williamson is amongst the pioneers for women of our time-those who search for their true inner potential and who have realised that to only live for others doesn't 'serve' them anymore.This is a book with much practical advise and tools-incl prayers-to release and let go of blockages which impede growth in beauty and conciousness.Very unconventional in many ways, Williamson,whom I have experienced in a powerful live conference, opens up new spaces in us women - just when we enter a stage where we think we are going downhill ... :-))BRILLIANT!!!

This is a book for those who believe in God and has a spiritual solution to those entering midlife. Its easy to read and while not being necessarily a workbook , it does have lessons and affirmations . Forgiveness of oneself and others is a key topic, and letting go of the past is vital , according to the author, in order to embrace the future. Based on A Course in Miracles which might appeal to some and not others.