Podcast Host CJ Miller sits down with writer, artist, and podcaster Sally Jean Fox to discuss her new book, "Meeting the Muse After Midlife, a memoir about finding hope and meaning after 50"– mainly through creative expression.
Sally's journey includes releasing limiting beliefs, tapping into her intuition, and listening to the guidance of two muses, Isabel and Marco. She explains that aging is not all doom and gloom, nor a bed of roses, but the ideal place to take creative risks. We keep our imagination and creative power throughout our entire lives.
CJ opens the podcast by asking Sally to unpack one chapter of her book, “Finding the Girl in Madras." Sally explains how the "girl in Madras" is her own younger self and shares how two boys teased and humiliated her in fourth grade. She carried the shame of the experience for many years. As she began her muse-led journey, she released the pain caused by their comments and accepted herself.
Part of her healing included drawing faces and realizing that there are no ugly faces for an artist. Ultimately, it became a healing journey. CJ encourages listeners to find a childhood photo, re-examine it with fresh eyes, and send love to their youthful selves. Sally recommends drawing the photo, writing about it in your journal, or even singing a song about it.
Sally originally hesitated to share the concept of her muses, subtle personified presence that came into her life for guidance. Her first muse, Isabel, was gentle and maternal. Her second Muse, Marco, had a stronger, encouraging voice. While she wrestled with the question of their source, she decided it didn't matter; her muses rebuffed her inner critic and provided a counterweight. Approval is seductive, she emphasizes, but ultimately, we should enjoy the freedom to be ourselves.
Sally refers to some of Father Richard Rohr's teachings: the first half of our life is about building infrastructure, ego, and financial gain; the second half is an opportunity to embrace our spirituality.
Ultimately, she encourages the listener by issuing this challenge, "Do you help people in life? Do you forgive? Do you seek joy? Do you want to eliminate suffering in the world? Those are the things that speak to me."
The writer holds an MBA and PhD from Fielding Graduate University and lives with her horse and husband on an island near Seattle. For more information, visit her site, www.engagingpresence.com, and follow her Engaging Presence blog, or listen to her podcast, "Vital Presence."
For more information on CJ's book, podcast, or Spiritual Artist Retreats, visit www.spiritualartisttoday.com. His book, "The Spiritual Artist," can be found on Amazon.