Deb's Sparks! S is for Story...

What's your SPARK?  Do you know what SPARK is?  I recently created an acronym for SPARK to use in workshops and to assist in the understanding of SPARK!  The simple definition for me is SPARK is your life's purpose.  Defining your life's purpose is never simple.  It is always journey, one to be embraced and enjoyed.  I will discuss the SPARK acronym, one letter at a time over the next couple of months.  Here we go...

S stands for STORY!  What's your story?  We all have one.  Where did you grow up?  How many siblings do you have? Did you go to college? Are you married?  etc...  This is the starting point, the facts of your story.  But let's move deeper.

What are your talents and gifts? What are the things that you do really well and bring great joy to your life?  There are no rules here...it's your story.  Take a minute to think about your talent and gifts.  Are you a great listener?  Cook? Writer? Comic?  What are those things that 'light you up'? cause you to 'lose track of time'? that you 'can't stop thinking about'?  If this is your first time asking yourself these questions, write down a few thoughts and come back to it.  Meditate on this question.  Remember it's a journey.

What are your challenges?  We all have them and typically we are not shy about listing them.  Maybe you don't think you are good at math, or speaking in public, or cooking.  Again, there are no rules here to say you must be good at math or an excellent cook unless your goal is to be an engineer or a chef!  Obviously, I am oversimplifying this example.  The point is to acknowledge your challenges and put them in perspective. If you have a challenge that appears to be an obstacle to your goals, reflect upon it and if necessary, create a plan to turn it from a challenge to a talent.  It's how we grow on our journey.

All the events of our lives have an impact.  The good, the bad and even the ugly contribute to our story. The good events typically add to our confidence and clarity.  The bad or ugly events usually do the opposite.  It's the painful events that provide us with an opportunity to grow. 

Often when we reflect on our lives and recall the painful times, we can get stuck or dwell on the past and what we could have or should have done differently.  This is the time to remember that everything happens for a reason. I know this can sound trite or even harsh, especially when you are in the moment.  I believe in my heart this is true - everything happens for a reason.  And when we are ready to learn and grow from our painful experiences we blossom.  We have the fuel and energy to take the next step on our journey.

So, what's your story?  I encourage you to find a notebook or start a new document on your computer and begin reflecting and writing about these questions and your story. 

Stay tuned...

Peace, Love and Sparks!  Deb