Light Your Spark, Lead with Fire

Fear. When I say that word, what goes through your mind? Is it the fear of heights? Or possibly the fear of getting on a plane (which I am waiting to do as I write this)? Do you worry about losing a loved one? Are you scared of something so deep in your heart that it is hard to even identify? Been there. That’s a tough one.

My own fears range from clowns to spiders all the way across the continuum to doing something without a clear outcome. In other words, taking risks absolutely terrifies me. Change haunts me. And recently, when my health took a turn, I was challenged to face that deep fear. I did not want to admit that I would have to step away from my dream of leading others. While I understood the need to do so, for myself, for my family, for those I served…it was still hard to admit.

Let’s face it. I was also terrified of pursuing this passion of motivating others through writing and speaking. The fear of failure is very real. For myself and many others that I know, sticking with the status quo, our zone of complacency, is far more attractive than taking the risk. At least it appeared to be, until I made the jump and lit my spark.

You see, I have always believed in lighting the way for others. If they wanted to follow me, great. If not, I would still keep an eye on their flames from a distance, just in case they needed a jolt. At times, I allowed my own flame to fizzle. Things get in the way, ya know? Maybe the Phillies lost in extra innings. Maybe I was stuck in traffic for an hour. Perhaps I was in a fight with my wife or brother. But when those things happened, I found my spark to not be enough for those I led. A flicker would not provide the path for so many others. The more pressure I put on myself, the more time I dedicated to things like worrying about failure and attacking myself for not being “good enough” for others. The more I focused on what extinguished my flame, the less light I provided.

I had to reignite my fire. In order to do that, I had to light my spark again. I had to do the things I was passionate about doing, even if they scared the hell out of me. This, the first note I write you all, is my first step in doing just that.

Once you light your fire again, there is absolutely no limit to what you can do. Go burn down conventional thinking. Do the things everyone always told you were impossible; The things that you dream of doing. Put your flame to the fears holding you back from being your authentic self and living those dreams. Stop worrying about if people judge you for being a boy band loving, sports obsessed eight year old at heart (my own self-talk) and make them love you for simply being you. Burn down the walls protecting your vulnerability, true self, and emotions. Connect with others. Learn what sparks them. Learn what fears put their fires out. Identify your goals together, and use your light to navigate the dark roads that will undoubtedly meet you along the way to your inevitable success.

Above all else, even with fire, shadows still stand on the outskirts. Spread that fire. Light those shadows. The shadows are simply the hidden gifts that you might not even realize you own. See, what happens is as soon as you ignite that first spark and allow your fire to lead you, there is no such thing as fear anymore. Only goals and gifts you have not achieved and unlocked yet. But you will. And while you keep using your passions to help others find what makes them light up, you can proudly stand and watch everything your spark illuminated.

The greatness. The leaders. The smiles. The laughs. The confidence. All. Of. It. All because you extinguished your fears. All because you let your light show the way.

Light your spark.

Lead with fire.

Much Love,

Mike