Soli Deo gloria

Years ago I had heard that both Bach and Handel appended the initials "SDG" to their musical manuscripts which stands for "Glory to God alone". Listening to their music, it's impossible to conceive that mere humans could ever produce such heavenly sounds. They felt this too, and believed that they were simply taking dictation from God, vessels for the Divine.
I think all artists understand this. Whether we call it courting the muse, tapping in to the collective unconcious, or feeling divine inspiration from a more tradition view of God, we know we don't create alone. Part of the frustration of being an artist who feels this connection is our own limited ability. We are given a glimpse of perfection embodied in the greatest- the Handels, the Michelangelos and feel our efforts are worthless in comparison. Yet we struggle on. I am learning that it is the experience of co-creating which is the reward. It is the journey... not the destination.