Have you ever given any thought to the phrase, “a seasoned woman”? Seasoned. Hmmm… Consider this quote from Gail Sheely, author of Sex and the Seasoned Woman: Pursuing the Passionate Life.

When many think of seasons, they likely do so in terms of spring, summer, winter and fall. Seasons change. But here’s the thing: women do, too. Change isn’t an exclusive club open only to females, however, as midlife women, it’s important to recognize that our changes – our seasons – bring variety and significance to our lives. With these changes come a new set of responsibilities, new goals and rewarding achievements.

Seasonal transformations are a natural part of life. These life cycles mark our evolution; we flow from childhood into adulthood, and from there we slide into midlife (sometimes kicking and screaming) until, finally, we reach the golden years – that precarious precipice from which we teeter along until our passing.

So what’s wrong with claiming our seasoned status? For me, absolutely nothing. I’m a seasoned woman, and I have no qualms with being viewed as such. Why? Well, I’m not a rookie at life. True, I’m no Yoda, but I’ve been at this gig for 52 years, and dare I say, with God’s blessings I hope to be going at it much longer. When someone recognizes that I have something to offer – experience – it sets me apart from those who have barely gotten their feet wet in this big pool we call life.

I proudly claim my seasoned woman status. So much so, in fact, that, as a play on words, I’ve wholeheartedly adopted my seasoning. That seasoning used to be Smoked Paprika – sweet and smoky. However, as I’ve reassessed the woman that I have become, I feel there’s a better fit for me: Cardamom – intense, but warm and sweet. Yeah, that’s more my style.

So, what’s your seasoning? I challenge you to pick a seasoning — whether you’re delicate, hot, spicy, mellow, bitter or whatever. . . find the seasoning that’s right for you. And when you do, claim it and let me know in the comments below why that seasoning fits you to a T.