Monday Memo| Detail No.88| February 12, 2024|

February Theme— Spark

Hi there,

You know that old spiritual, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!” It’s that miraculous spark of life that burns inside each of us.

I believe we need to tend our spark– feed it, blow on it, and poke it with a stick every now and then — to keep it burning strong.

Everybody’s spark loves different things, so there are a million ways to feed and tend it. For today's memo, I will discuss 4L's for a passionate, authentic life of spark: Listen, Learn, Love and Let Go.

1. Listen to the spark.

My spark is leading me to explore some curiosities, to go deeper, to press pause on some things, and turn up the volume on others. The light from these sparks is encouraging me to say yes to things I might have said no to and, of course, pop out like a jack in the box.

That little light can sometimes be hard to find. It’s often hidden under our ego, the part of us that needs to prove itself, or it’s crouching under a stack of to-do lists, complaints.

So each day, take some time to seek out that spark inside and give it some loving attention. It can be as simple as remembering that you even have a spark; breathing into your heart; noticing the sky, its particular shade and movement right now; a walk in nature; or a full-on gratitude ritual.

Tending the spark means to listen to the deeper knowing that your heart and soul can access. It’s a different voice than our brain, your ego or desires.

2. Learn what you love – and what you hate.

Igniting the spark means to do what makes us truly happy, to “follow your bliss,” but what are those things that resonate in a deep way? What connects you? What sparks you up?

It’s often the same things you loved as a child. What did you naturally do before you learned to please others,  to be ‘normal,’  to do the ‘right’ thing? These same things will create joy for you now. It’s not easy to make space and have courage to dream this way, to play again, but it’s so vitalizing. Life-affirming. Sparkalicious.

I’d love to avoid the shadow side of life, but it’s just not the way it is here on planet Earth. Having courage to face what I really fear or hate or I'm envious of  – or what I have lost – is essential. Just like in the body, pain is a pointer to the areas of our lives that need some loving attention.

3. Follow the Love

Writing satisfies my yearning for truth and meaning. It’s pure joy to sing, to dance, to make art — to bring beauty to the world. I rejoice in a simple meal with family or friends. And I love to spark others, especially young ones, as they discover what makes them truly happy.

When I do any of my most-loved things, it’s like blowing on a flame. I just light up. And with more light, I can see the way ahead more clearly. I have more energy, and am less tempted by my addictive habits (overwork, sugar, complaining). Best of all, I can more easily feel the sparks of life all around me, and see the many gifts life has to offer.  I have much more to give others.

4. Let Go of the shame-blame-game

A well-fed spark shows me how to cherish my whole self, with all my faults.

When I make yet another mistake, take a wrong turn, even hurt someone I love, it’s the spark that reminds me to speak gently to myself: “It’s ok, you’re learning, it’ll be all right…” It’s the same patience and tenderness I’d offer a suffering friend, or a child struggling to succeed.

If I don’t let the flame of light guide me, how can I accept myself, as I am? How can I tolerate others, with their different values and points of view?  How much easier it is to blame everybody else for everything that is wrong.

I believe that many of the world’s conflicts, large and small, could be soothed if more of us could love ourselves.

As you kickstart this new week, always remember:

"Do not let your fire go out, spark by irreplaceable spark in the hopeless swamps of the not-quite, the not-yet, and the not-at-all. Do not let the hero in your soul perish in lonely frustration for the life you deserved and have never been able to reach. The world you desire can be won. It exists.. it is real.. it is possible.. it's yours." — Ayn Rand

Listen. Learn. Love . Let Go