Click here to view the embedded video.

What is it about creative ventures that makes us nervous about each other’s mental health? Those who inhabit the far end of the creative spectrum are often known for their unstable, capricious moodiness that often leads to depression, manic tendencies, and even suicide. The question Gilbert raises is: as a ‘creative’, are you OK with that? If you create (songs, poetry, art, fashion, design, or ANYTHING), you’ll relate to the capriciousness of creativity and the oftentimes fleeting and frustrating process of creativity…and you’ll identify with her story I have no idea of Gilbert’s religious belief system, but her time in the video is spent trying to convince at least some of her audience that the creative process is fueled by some kind of ‘divine’ or ‘spiritual’ force that can inhabit and direct us as we create something.

It’s not a new concept, and certainly WAY too long to encompass on a blog like this one, but many great works of art (songs, paintings, etc.) have been documented as having been created effortlessly…as if the Spirit simply flowed through the artist. The result has been everything from a ‘classic’ work of art to a significant worship song to a watershed writing which helped change the course of history.

Do you resonate with the story of poet Ruth Stone at 10:20 in the video? Or is that too irrational? Too far out of our civility? What do you think? Have you ever brushed up against something like that? How do you explain it?

And if you’re not familiar with TEDblog (Technology, Entertainment, Design), spend a little time there and become inspired and refueled.

And follow TEDtalks on Twitter.

“Grande. Non-fat. Decaf. Americano.”

Seriously?
Everything in his life is probably decaf.
    Diet.
        Low-cal.
            Non-fat.
Why is he even here? What does he want from You?
Sterile water with the false pretense of power?
Hot water and steam that lacks any real punch?
Impotent.

Finally its my turn.
“Venti. Tripleshot. Soy. Latte.”

Seriously.
What I want from You
What I need from You
Is not decaf.
What I want from You 
Is Love that has more than just the appearance of power
More than some look-alike coolness to help me fit in.
I need real power.
Today I don’t care about cool.
Today I care about punch.
I care about Potency.

Your love, O Lord, is never decaffeinated.
    Never low-cal.
        Never diet.
Your grace doesn’t come in a non-fat version.
It only comes full-strength.
And after last night, I need something like that.
Full strength, kicking and punching my soul back to You.
A double-shot of confusing grace, please.
A triple-shot of Your love to get me back on my feet.

I’ve tried the decaf version before.
Hot water and steam that doesn’t even look like You.
Or taste like You.
Or give me that burn in my soul that You do.
Religion without the Punch won’t do anymore.
It doesn’t do a thing for me.
I hate decaf.

It hits a little too close to home. But that’s a good thing, right?

Apple Pie

Sin’s tentacles reaching from Eden’s site
Calling me to take another bite
“That’s right. You know you deserve it.”

And so I capitulate to this hate
See Adam, I can relate
I take the bait. Oh no— the hook is set.

And I thrash and fight against the line
As Satan drags me through the brine
“I’m fine,” I tell concerned onlookers.

But I’m not.

See what looked like delicious apple pie
Has left me high and dry
I don’t know why I take another bite when I’m already choking

Oh, I could blame it all on you, Man
You did the dirty, set up my pension plan
I am after all just receiving daily installments.

But then that wouldn’t be quite so fair
Cuz I have this feeling deep down that if I’d been there
I’d have done the same thing.

Someone peel me another apple, I’m hungry.