The Amazing Spark That Can Set Us On Fire

or get us turned on

Sep 01, 2024

It was my favorite kind of place—a fusty, old bookstore, dim and packed to the rafters. The titles were well-organized which was not what I expected when we walked in.

It was the late 80’s which, some days, feels like the last time I had a chance to meander freely through the streets of a funky, inner-city neighborhood with nothing else to do. I remember that moment, in that particular store, because it was the snapshot in time when my inner light got turned on.

I don’t have a picture of that old bookstore so here is one of my other favorite place — the Columbia Valley wetlands in British Columbia

We found ourselves back in the New-Age section. Remember when the dinosaurs walked the earth, we didn’t know the brain could change, and personal growth fell into the new-age genre because it seemed so weird, and alternative, to think that we could change from the inside out?

“This is a good book”, my friend said, pointing to The Way of The Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman. Buying that book catalyzed a lifelong journey into my inner world, and if you’re on a similar path, you know there’s no going back. If this kind of talk is new to you Hon, welcome and buckle up the chin strap on your party hat because this is where the action is!

I invite you to join me as we search for the kernel of potential that’s striving to grow within us. I’m not talking about the promise of achievement based on things we do or have; rather a sense of wholeness that comes from deeply knowing ourselves. Gaining this understanding grants us inner resilience to buffer the storms that life will inevitably deliver but, more importantly, it becomes our best guide and teacher to move forward.

We all have an inner spark, our deepest truth just hanging out waiting to be acknowledged. For most of us, that spark begins to heat up, making itself known. It whispers “I’m here, notice me”. If we don’t listen it begins to burn as it shows up with a repeating pattern in our life that’s not working. Sometimes it’s a sense of discomfort in our body or it could be a repetitive argument we have with our partner, the deficit in our bank account, or perhaps a relentless headache. If we continue in autopilot, using distraction to ignore our own voice, it’s likely that burn will grow into a fire and Honeybun we don’t want it to burn our house down!

As humans we yearn to grow. I believe this search for something new, or different, is our deepest self moving us into greater alignment with who we truly are. But the tricky thing is we also possess a deep pull to stay the same — comfortable and secure— because it gives the illusion we are safe and in control.

Tending to our inner world peels away the stories we’ve been told about who we are so we may be guided by OUR OWN inner compass. THIS is what my work here is all about. To me, living a BRIGHT LIFE calls us to take responsibility for ourselves as we learn to sit in the discomfort of what life throws at us and chart a path that meets our inner needs. (The word THIS, above, is a clickable link to a video I made about my work at TBL, if you’re interested. Old essay, new video).

This is me saying “Welcome to The Bright Life, I really appreciate you being here. Stick around because we’ve got a lot to explore in the months ahead.”

I invite you to join me as we gently probe for our own truths. I know, this sounds either far-fetched or boring but if we frame it a different way we can see this inner work will help us to:

find an easier way to figure out what to do next
learn to release our need to please others
practice staying the course instead of jumping to the next shiny thing
soften our irritability
move out of the rut of feeling stuck
stop doing the same thing harder and faster because we don’t know what else to do.

I’m going to be discussing all of this in upcoming months because these are the things I’m learning to figure out! I want to share them with you in hopes that, together, we can lead ourselves in the direction of a well-lived life. I hope you join me.

I put a pause on my writing for the summer. I was hoping it would be a sacred pause, but that lofty desire is impossible to measure! And yet, I come back to you with a softness that stems from healing some of the scars from recent challenging years — caring for my aging parents and witnessing seismic shifts in the reality of our world. Today, I return bringing self-compassion to our table where I encourage you to help yourself. I don’t have enough words to express my delight and gratitude that you are here, thank you for showing up for me.

Moving forward things with my newsletter will be slightly different because I’ve realized my publishing schedule must be a little less rigid. To show up fully for you, and for me, means I have to create a softer space around my writing. It means every time I show up in your inbox I do so with the energy of joy and love with something I really want to share. It means you will likely no longer hear from me every single Sunday, but sometimes you will. Mostly, it means I grant myself greater flexibility in the name of quality and practicing what I preach!

If you are a cherished paid subscriber please watch for me in your inbox 2-4 times a month. You will receive all my writing, videos, presentations and archives. If you have not already done so, you are invited to book a free, private chat with me. After decades working in health-care and coaching I may be able to offer clarity on an area you feel stuck, help out with any questions you have, or simply get together to talk.

Paid subscribers also receive a deep discount to book a 3-Part Personalized Well-Being Series.

This time allows us the opportunity to create individualized, evidence-based, heart centered strategies to help you problem solve and create the life you desire. The link to both of these things will be in your welcome email (if you’re a new paid subscriber) or a separate, private email you will receive next week.

If you are one of my beloved free subscribers, welcome! I am so glad you are here. You can expect to hear from me once or twice a month as well as have access to some archived posts such as this one on Mindset. If you want to do a deeper dive, and the perks above interest you, I invite you to buy an annual paid subscription.

Pulling a card has long been one of the tools I use for guidance and I occasionally do it for our Bright Life community. I’m often astounded by the accuracy that shows up in the cards and this time was no exception. I promise that I only pulled one card for our community and this was it! I asked the Universe, “What do you want us to know at this time?” and laughed when this was what showed up. Use it as you may.