Mark-I think if you put a juicy bone like this out there, you're going to get a wide array of responses that truly cover the waterfront. Surely, you realized that before you posted, yes?

To the specific question of a higher power, for those of us who don't believe in one, where does our inspiration, abilities, skills, etc. come from?

I say the higher power would be roughly equivalent to the degree people have a willingness to work at one's craft, the sum-total of one's life experience and their awareness/consciousness of that, and luck.

In other words, I say each of us is, in a way, the "higher power." We've put the time in, we've worked at our craft and allowed life to influence our art. I also think luck has a great deal to do with it as so often in life circumstances beyond one's control set the course we pursue.

Its a trait that is inherent in us as a species. Some have developed it to a stunningly high degree. Others enjoy it passionately via others. While it's music for us, it might be poetry, dance, sculpture, painting, writing, etc. for someone else.


To me, it is an expression of our humanity. That others wish to give credit to some other thing or concept, doesn't bother me in the least.