THE SPARK

He's (she) really a nice guy (girl) BUT, there just isn't a spark there. One evening several years ago a friend invited me over for conversation. We went outside where his fire pit had remnants of what once was a warm blaze. All that was left was smoke, smolder, and ashes. I said "he let's start a fire" he replied "it's too much trouble, the spark is gone". I grabbed a few twigs and a couple larger pieces of wood. I threw them in the pit, within minutes we had a nice little blaze going. All it took was effort and desire.

That little life metaphor may seem silly, but let's give it application to the spark you think is missing. I'm a firm believer that we only see what we are looking for (good or bad). If I am correct, most people view the world and the people around them with defensive lenses. It isn't that we can't see or feel the spark, we are conditioned not to. The safer route is to search for what is wrong in a relationship or life decision instead of seeking what could be right. We cannot or will not put forth the effort or desire until we feel the spark, which by the way isn't there because we choose not to see or feel it. Granted all relationships should not be worked on or pursued. It isn't always easy to discern when to fuel the fire verses when to extinguish it.

When you say "there just isn't a spark" what are you really saying? Better yet, what do you think you are looking for? It is within our hearts to attract or repel whatever we deem worthy. Here in lies the nuisance. We tend to judge others through a similar frame as we judge ourselves. Which makes squaring the circle all but impossible. It becomes much easier to just say "the spark isn't there so why put forth the effort". Until we settle the quandary about our own self image it will be most difficult to advance far enough as to placing twigs in the smoldering pit.

Seriously, take a look around. There are relationship challenges that without a doubt you are blaming on the other person. NO SPARK you say, why not provide one. NO COMMUNICATION, why not put forth more effort. The list of excuses can be endless and the shame of it is this, happiness, peace, and joy is right in front of you. You can run, but you can't hide. Yes that is true, but you can sure as hell run until your fire completely dies out. It is imperative that you DO NOT DIE BEFORE YOU ARE DEAD, please stoke the ember, create some fire, give your heart a chance.

I know, I know, yes you have been burned in the past, but that was yesterday, and it is time to live life forward. Take inventory of all the emotions and baggage you have stored up. Most, if not all, is nothing more than water to put out the blaze. It is time to lighten your load and put the spark back into your heart. Once you choose life over death, flame over ember, spark over smoke, you will be amazed at what will start to happen. You will become a better person in every facet of your life. Your career will improve, your health will get better, your stress will ease, you will begin to see that the fire you were trying to smother can actually provide a beautiful light in your life.

In relationships we have been taught to wait for that giddy heart pounding feeling. We wait and we wait, all the while the tiny little spark fades away. Don't miss out on the greatest thing in life. When you go out today, take your heart and soul with you. Display the kindness you hope to attract, be the positive energy you desire to see in the world, BE THE SPARK that will open you up to a world you thought no longer existed. Life is short, the sands in the hour glass keep falling. When goodness shines forth in your life, don't brush it aside. Remember where there is smoke there is fire, this time though the fire is providing warmth to your soul, however it is up to you to keep throwing wood in the pit.

The SPARK is so much more than LOVE relationships. It is about friendships, spirituality, career, health, etc. If your wood is wet, your attitude has cooled, your walls are high, your hope is waning, it is time to stoke the fire. You are God's greatest miracle and without your best the world would be incomplete. I urge you right now to not only see the spark, but feel the spark, and be the spark. Do not miss out on the amazing fabulous life that is within your reach.

God bless
Dale