In our culture, youth is often praised and aging is seen as a deficit. But as we get older, we gain access to a deeper kind of wisdom than we had when we were younger. The great psychologist C.G. Jung said that in the middle of life there occurs a transformation in the psyche—psyche is a Greek word which is often translated as “mind.” But on a deeper level it actually signifies the soul—it is your true self, a mystery that cannot be defined.

This process of transformation leads us toward greater health and growth; Jung called it individuation. You become more of who you truly are.

You may feel prompted to turn more within, to listen to your unconscious, to want to develop your intuition and follow its guidance.

What do you really want to do? What will bring you the greatest fulfillment? What kind of contribution do you want to make?

You might want to make a career change. Or you might want to re-structure the career you already have.

Perhaps you can’t do these things right away; you may not be able to devote all your time to the activities that call to you.  But yet you feel you must make a start, or make time to creatively use your innate talents and abilities, to focus your attention on what really matters.

Get quiet, listen to the voice. It may come first thing in the morning, while you’re in the shower, while you’re meditating, while you’re walking. It can come at different times and different ways. Stay tuned to your hunches, your dreams, your desires, recurrent thoughts or feelings.

Carve out a little time during the week to contemplate what your hunches are telling you. Keep a journal, write ideas, hatch a plan. Then take one small step in the direction of your dreams.

“Sometimes a dream almost whispers… it never shouts. Very hard to hear. So you have to, every day of your lives, be ready to hear what whispers in your ear. ”

– Steven Spielberg