We''ve all had the experience of creating something new and uniquely ours. The spark of an idea may become a painting full of lively colors. A magical story. A dance full of twirls and sways. A towering structure made of Legos. "I must do this!" the spark says to you. But where does this spark come from? Our creativity begins deep inside us. Our ideas grow from a mixture of everything we experience in our lives: the love we give and receive, our memories, the beauty of nature, our everyday activities, and a bit of the unknown.

Sometimes our creativity can even come from sadness, or a wish for things to change. Debbie Friedman''s music came from many places: her joy in being Jewish, the warmth she felt in singing with others, and a loneliness she yearned to fill. She often said her musical talent and creativity were gifts, blessings she was forever grateful to have received and, more importantly, to share. When Debbie shared her talents, first with her own community and then with the greater Jewish world, she opened up a sacred space--a place where others felt like they finally belonged and a place Debbie had been searching for too. What are your gifts? How can you use your creativity to bring joy and meaning into your life and the lives of those around you? I invite you to honor this holy part of yourself and share it with others! Wishing you sparks, Deborah.