Skip to main content

The Courage to Create

In this episode, The Courage to Create . . .

Welcome back to On the Fly. This blog post explores the inspiring collaboration between Elton John and Brandi Carlile on their new album, Who Believes in Angels, using their creative journey to motivate you to embrace courage, collaboration, and the pursuit of extraordinary creations.

There are moments when life whispers invitations to us: "Go on. Create something beautiful." This morning, that invitation arrived through a remarkable new album, "Who Believes in Angels," by Elton John (now 78) and the talented Brandi Carlile. This work has sparked a fire within me. This partnership, characterized by raw and genuine creativity, is both inspiring and extraordinary.

As a lifelong fan of Elton John, I have documented my appreciation for his influence in "Captain Fantastic and The Captain and the Kid." These blog posts explore his extraordinary career and my growth as an artist inspired by his music and impact.

The Magic of Sunset Sound

What resonated most deeply was their story, shared on CBS Sunday Morning, about stepping into the hallowed halls of Sunset Sound studio in Hollywood, CA. Imagine–two brilliant artists working in a space where musical history was made, with nothing but the promise of potential. "Why Sunset Sound?" Elton was asked, and his answer struck a chord: "It's a magical studio. Prince recorded Purple Rain here," among many other incredible recordings. That palpable energy that magic permeates every note of "Who Believes in Angels."

The Alchemy of Collaboration

After more than 50+ years of composing music and releasing 32 studio albums, how does one conjure such beauty from thin air? Let’s call it the alchemy of collaboration, the spark of genuine friendship, and an unwavering belief in artistic expression. This studio album reminds us that extraordinary things happen when we dare to reach for the best within ourselves, embrace the challenge of collaboration, and step into the unknown with courage.

How, you ask? To bring this magic into your life, reach out to someone whose work inspires you and suggest a collaborative project. Share your ideas and be open to theirs, too! The wonderful blend of different perspectives can lead to truly extraordinary creations. The lyrics, ‘I have been there, man I have been there,’ from the song ‘Who Believes In Angels, ' beautifully capture the spirit of courage in challenging times of uncertainty.

Your Canvas Awaits

The future is your canvas, as the past becomes a distant memory, allowing us to craft our masterpieces. Aim high. Let "Who Believes in Angels" serve as your anthem, reminding you that the most exquisite creations often emerge from the most unlikely sources. Embrace the journey, have faith in the process, and continue to believe in the magic of your potential.

Whether your art is music, writing, painting, or how you live your life, remember that you possess the power to create something extraordinary.

Yes–“Even Diamonds look like rocks to the untrained eye.”

Explore new horizons! Why not join a local writers' group, play in a band, or participate in a theatrical production? It's an excellent way to meet other creative souls. Seek collaborators who ignite your passion and believe in the magic that lies within you. Go listen to "Who Believes in Angels." Allow it to awaken the artist within you.

“Tune me into the wild side of life. Each day, I learn just a little bit more. If we’re all going somewhere, let's get there soon; this song has no title, just words, and a tune.”

I’m Patrick Ball. Stay curious; it’s never too late. Swing for the fences and create. See you in the next episode.

Comments

Don Hanley said…
A creative idea and the title is: CREATE A NEW TUNE

Most Popular of All Time

We Need Awe More Than Ever

In this episode, Why We Need Awe More Than Ever Yesterday morning, I slipped into the cool stillness of my backyard before dawn. The air was crisp, the silence deep—broken only by the faint rustling of leaves and the familiar calls of birds waking early. Then I looked up. A thin crescent moon hung low in the east, with Venus just above it like a shining jewel. The sky was clear and full of stars, and for a moment, I felt something I hadn’t in a long time: Awe! For thousands of years, the heavens have carried on their steady dance, untouched by human noise. No ruler, no election, no breaking news has ever changed their rhythm. And yet here I was, tempted to reach for my phone—to trade the eternal for the urgent. Instead, I stayed. I watched the moonrise, the sky slowly lighten, and the world around me stir. Ducks passed overhead in a loose V, hummingbirds zipped past to visit their feeder, pausing mid-air as if curious about me sitting so still. Little by little, the static in my mind f...

The Silent Grid–Part Two

In this episode, The Silent Grid – Part Two Sirens split the night as Greenwood went dark. Marvin knew instantly—the blackout wasn’t an accident. It was a warning. In this quiet town, where life once unfolded at a predictable pace, a sleek, intuitive smartphone—a so-called gift from the future —has arrived. But it’s no tool for connection. It’s a silent force, erasing individuality and turning neighbors into something less than human. Marvin Gellborn, a man who values independence, sees the truth. His device isn’t helping; it’s testing him, watching him, and quietly embedding itself into the life of Greenwood. Welcome back to On the Fly . In this week’s episode of The Silent Grid , GridBot tightens its grip. After a hopeful community gathering, Marvin and his robot companion, Norman, notice a troubling absence—the very generation they hoped to reach has vanished into the neon glow of The Signal Box , a youth tech hub pulsing with digital obsession. When Greenwood’s lights vanish, Marvi...

The Birth of a Cubs Legend

In this episode, The 162-Game Exhale — and the Birth of a Cubs Legend There’s a hush in the baseball world on Game 162 — a collective breath drawn in and slowly released. Scoreboards stop flipping. Dugouts empty. For six months, the game has been our steady heartbeat, pulsing from the cherry blossoms of Tokyo in March to the crisp, playoff-charged winds of late September. And now, as the regular season exhales, baseball fans everywhere pause to absorb the story we’ve just lived. For me, that story has been deeply personal. This season unfolded in the rhythms of my daily life. It was the summer soundtrack echoing beneath the constant turmoil of politics and sensational headlines. It was a handful of carefully chosen ballpark pilgrimages stitched together with countless nights in front of MLB.TV. And at the center of it all, for a lifelong Cubs fan like me, it revolved around one name — a young center fielder who turned hope into history: Pete Crow-Armstrong. The 2025 season didn’t begin...

The Pessimism Aversion Trap

In this episode, The Pessimism Aversion Trap Picture this: a room full of bright minds nodding in agreement as a bold new strategy is unveiled. The slides are polished, the vision is grand, and the future, we're told, has never looked brighter. Everyone beams—because who wants to be the one to say, "Um… this might not work"? Heaven forbid someone spoil the mood with a dose of reality. Better to smile, add a buzzword or two, and march confidently toward disaster. That's how the Pessimism Aversion Trap works. Even now, I can still hear the sound—a high-pitched shriek and a digital hum, followed by the slow, rhythmic clatter of data pouring from a 5¼-inch floppy disk. It was the late 1980s, and my makeshift home office (our living room) was dominated by what felt like a marvel of modern engineering: a used Tandy 1000 PC with not one, but two floppy drives. To top it off, we purchased a 'blisteringly fast' 300-baud modem—which, for the uninitiated, could downloa...