The Birth of a Notion

The Birth of a Notion

In the previous column I wrote about "thrustration" - that pre-"aha!" state of creative doubt or confusion. It's when you're torn between thrusting ahead with direct action and frustration as you can't quite put together the pieces of the puzzle. Now here's a story that illustrates my process of thrustration -- mental meandering, a period of frustration and, finally, discovering "the pass in the impasse." I had just completed a year's Visiting Faculty position at Catholic University, and had decided to stay in Washington, DC. Wanting to build a speaking and consulting business, I was out there hustling. Going through the yellow pages under travel, I had visions of speaking on a big cruise ship. I came across the listing, "Travel Talk," also paired with radio call letters. Hey, they're into travel, I've done media talk. It's a great fit. So I call up and discover that the radio program is on a gospel music station. The host of the show booked church groups on various travel excursions. The host couldn't help me with booking speaking gigs on cruises, but she invited me to talk about the stress and humorous side of traveling.

From Burnout to Burnt Up

We had a good old time on the program. Can't even tell you what we covered. However, I did sense this woman had some knowledge about the music industry. Before leaving, I asked if I could show her a jazzy poem I penned in New Orleans called "The Burnout Boogie." She agreed, and said she'd let me know her opinion. Well after a month or so, I hadn't heard from her. So I called. Ms. Gospel Lady had sent the lyrics to a rap group in Los Angeles. And as they say, the rest is history. Actually, the group was playing around with the lyrics when the LA riots erupted. My work probably became the "The Burnt Up Boogie." (I'll share the original in a future column.)

I never did hear from the LA rappers but, ever persistent and loosely connected to reality, I collaborated with the travelling gospel lady on one other project. She also had a public relations business, and was promoting a black beauty pageant called "The Electrifying Lady." Of course, I immediately said, "I can write lyrics for that." And I did. (See the spicey and feisty words below.)

The Twilight Rap

Again, nothing materialized. But one morning, lying in bed in that twilight state before fully awakening, I was musing to myself: "Mark, you've been a university professor, a psychotherapist...What the hell are you doing writing rap songs?" And then it suddenly dawned on me. "Of course, you're into 'Shrink Rap.'" So that's how a new performance concept was born. And check out my Client List if you'd like to see a photo of me performing "The Stress Doc's Stress Rap" in full regalia. Now, as promised:

The Electrifying Lady

The Electrifying Lady The hottest in the land Her look will drive you crazy Her mind is in command.

The lady's smart and sassy So don't tell her where to go She's not your little lassie This black goddess stops the show.

'Cause Electrifying Lady is shock energy For a mind and body surging to be free. Now Lady Electric just don't know her place That Ms. E. L. is hyperspace.

Our lady is a vision Night lightening in the sky. She's also on a mission To let your spirit fly.

Is she saint or sinner? Well maybe all in one. Don't judge before you know her...or She'll strike your heart and run.

'Cause Electrifying Lady is shock energy For a mind and body surging to be free. Now Lady Electric just don't know her place That Ms. E.L. is in your face.

With electrifying style And a mystifying grace, She's a killer with her smile A black lynx in black lace.

She's a sister and a brother Don't try to cage her in. Don't compare her to no other. Just watch her magic spin.

So Electrifying Lady Turn me on full blast, all right. With you I'm oh so ready To lose myself tonight.

And, of course...Practice Safe Stress!

Feedback Segment: How about sharing your thoughts on how you, friends or colleagues use humor in dealing with stress, conflict or moods, yours or others, in your personal life, at home or at work? HFTE will run the best stories and, of course, credit you. (And the real lagniappe, you become a member of the Stress Doc's StressBusters Club.) Also, email me to learn more about "The Stress Doc's" upcoming serious and humorous on-line support/chat group -- "The Frequent Sighers Club.

Mark Gorkin, "The Stress Doc," Licensed Clinical Social Worker, is a nationally recognized speaker, workshop leader and author on stress, reorganizational change, anger, team building, creativity and humor. The Stress Doc is a columnist for the popular cyber-newsletter, Humor From The Edge. Mark is also the "Online Psychohumorist" for the major AOL mental health resource network, Online Psych . His motto: Have Stress? Will Travel! Reach "The Doc" at (202) 232-8662, email: Stress Doc@aol.com