Creativity Tips: Embrace Structure

One of the greatest creativity boosts I know is structure. Give me a structure, and you've given me a start. Give me a structure and a deadline, and I'm unstoppable. 

The power of structure hits home with me at this time of year, when we Jews beat our collective chest for a litany of alphabetized sins. The prayerbook list has never fully resonated with me, but the structure gave me the incentive to write my own. And, in hopes that it will inspire you to write an alphabetized something or other, here it is ...  

My Alphabet of Failings – Yom Kippur, 2014

by Jan Sokoloff Harness

This year, I confess alone, my alphabet of failings:

For the sin of anger against those who challenge me

And for the sin of belittling those I don’t understand

For the sin of criticizing without caring

And for the sin of doubting the strength of love

For the sin of enjoying what I shouldn’t have

And for the sin of purposefully finding fault

For the sin of greed when I have so much

And for the sin of hating beautiful strangers

For the sin of needlessly imagining problems  

And for the sin of joking to avoid a truth

For all these sins, oh God of forgiveness,

Forgive me, pardon me, grant me atonement.

For the sin of kindness too often withheld

And for the sin of loving in measured touches

For the sin of malice toward those who are richer

And for the sin of nourishing my worst intentions

For the sin of observing when I could be helping

And for the sin of pretending I am less than I am

For the sin of quitting when I still have fight

And for the sin of not resting when I am exhausted

For the sin of saying it doesn’t matter

And for the sin of thinking he can read my mind.

For all these sins, oh God of forgiveness,

Forgive me, pardon me, grant me atonement.

For the sin of not cutting the umbilical cord

And for the sin of not visiting my parents enough

For the sin of not weeping, to prove my strength

And for the sin of never forgiving my ex

For the sin of yearning to alter time 

And for the sin of repenting at the zero hour.

For all these sins, oh God of forgiveness,

Forgive me, pardon me, grant me atonement.