I'll read a book on just about any topic. I figure, as a writer, if the book is written well enough then I can probably learn something from it.

That being said, I don't often read books on basket weaving. Why? Because I'm not a practicing basket weaver. Even if I was intending to one day pick up basket weaving, I still wouldn't read any books on the subject just yet. If I am not actively pursuing the cultivation of basket weaving skills, how can I expect to get anything out of a basket weaving book? Without the experience of what it's like to buy the materials, stitch them together, and test the final product, the book would be like reading gibberish. I might as well get a book on being an astronaut, or an accountant, or a dinosaur.

Everyday, millions of people are reading books, articles, and even BLOGS (wink,wink) about creativity and how to become more artistic. As much as I love that creativity is such a hot topic in our culture today, I would be lying if I didn't say that the person who is reading those books, or that magazine, or this blog, and not creating art of their own is wasting their time.

In order to appreciate A Gentlemen's Guide to Basket Weaving, we must actively be weaving baskets in our everyday lives. We need to know what it feels like to make a terrible basket. We need to taste the victory of creating a great one. There is a depth of  understanding and appreciation that only comes from having experienced both extreme failure and wild success in any arena.

I find it very flattering that anyone would take the time to read this blog. But the greatest compliment I could receive, would be for you to do something with what you have read. That is, in my opinion, the only way to truly get something out of what you read.

Go. Create. Then come back for more when you need a push.

Art is not the only thing we create
We create memories
We create relationships within those memories
We create trust within those relationships
And once we've built up enough trust and relationships, we create communities
We create families, the highest form of community
We create experiences
We create opportunities
We create space
We create connection
And we combine all of these things to create what we call life
Which, in the end, is really an amazing work of art.

Art isn't the only thing we create
And yet, when we truly live, everything we create is art.

"Desperate stoner trades stolen $160,000 diamond for $20 bag of weed."
"Racist Redskins fans don't want you to see this Daily Show clip."
"Uber driver charged for bashing a passenger in the head with a hammer."

These are all actual headlines tweeted last weekend by the popular blog Gawker. Blogs like Gawker, Buzzfeed, and Huffington Post churn out hundreds of articles a day, all of which have headlines that are specifically designed to grab your attention.

In a world where everyone can have both a voice and a platform from which to make that voice heard, attention is quite possibly the most valuable non-monetary currency on the market. Attention will get you page views. Attention will get you shares. Attention will get you followers.

If our goal is to simply make money and a name for ourselves, then attention is all we need. If we want to make an impact with a loyal audience though, attention is not enough.

Catchy, provocative headlines garner attention, but only vulnerable, generous, vitally creative work garners affection. And affection is a key ingredient in making an impact. Any bum can deliberately incite controversy to boost web traffic and rake in page views, but a true artist does the hard work of connecting with a niche audience and providing them value.

The beautiful thing is, we don't have to fight so hard for attention once we've earned the affection of our audience. Apple didn't need to fight too hard for the iPhone 6 to get attention. Apple has spent years earning our affection by making quality and innovative products that have built our trust in them. Now, the attention takes care of itself.

No one has to convince me to buy a Seth Godin or Malcolm Gladwell book. I’m sure the same is true for many of their fans. They’ve spent years doing quality work, and generously providing value for their niche audience, that they don’t need to beat down our doors with a provoking title in order to get us to buy their new book. They have our trust. They have our affection, so the attention takes care of itself.

This can be true of your work as well.

Everybody has said the above phrase at least several times in their life.

At my current job, I have played the same role, eight times a week, for over 250 performances. And I'm still one of the newbies. Please know that I love my job, and I am incredibly grateful that God has placed me there. I'll be honest with you though, and say that some days I show up to the theater, and I'm just not feeling it. Still, the show must go on, regardless of my personal feelings towards doing it.

The truth is, things that matter in this life rarely have anything to do with our feelings. The things that really matter, a life's work, a thriving marriage, a positive impact, a right relationship with God, we don't always feel like putting in the work and care to make these things happen. But if we truly want these things, we have to be obedient to our commitment. We have to be faithful to our calling, regardless of how we may feel in the moment.

When it comes to the things that matter, commitment and calling trumps present feelings every time. When we feel like it, it's play. When we don't, it's work. Either way, we've committed to it, so it must be done.