by Francesca Biller-Safran

Created on: November 19, 2008

If there were ever a time for a woman to feel truly empowered during mid-life, now would be a pretty good one. In the past, women have not been afforded either the time or luxury to lament dreams unfulfilled, but today women are not only entertaining their own fantasies but succeeding in just about anything they desire- suggesting that mid life is anything but a crisis.

According to Naomi Lowinsky, Jungian Analyst, poet and author of The Motherline: Every Woman's Journey to Find Her Female Roots', midlife for women is often a chance to discover some unlived aspect of her personality that is wanting space in her life.

"Maybe she's got a creative gift or capacity she's never developed," Lowinsky said. "This is the time to open the door to new, maybe old aspects of one's self. This can be difficult and scary because one is changing one's view of who one is as well as having to get people around you to accept the new you. But it is a very important opportunity for a richer more authentic life," Lowinsky said.

Paula from Tioga, New York has stayed home with her children for 16 years and said her dream of becoming a writer is finally coming true. "I am actually looking forward to starting a new career as a freelance writer at 47," she said.

"I have always wanted to write, but I am just now feeling I have the confidence to give it a try and deal with the inevitable rejection as well as the fulfillment of my dreams," she said.

She is also excited to be back in college full-time, finishing up her Bachelor's Degree and grateful that she stayed home with her kids "especially now that they will be moving on soon."

"My kids are 13 and 16 and I have been feeling lately it is time for me to start a new chapter in my life," Marcotte said. "I have pulled myself out of a depression by deciding to go back to school and making some decisions about what I want for myself and my future."

Some 36% of women between the ages of 50-64 report to have reached some fulfilling goal in the preceding 5 years, suggesting midlife can be a valuable, productive time of life. Women also often see this period as a "spiritual awakening" to do something meaningful with the rest of their lives, rather than as simply a reaction to chronological aging or some fear of mortality.

Karen, 39 and a stay-at-home mom from Dekalb, Georgia said she has many goals she still intends to achieve, with one to compete in a Triathlon before she turns 40. "I've never been an athlete, so this is radical," Zelif said. "I'm

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