Cracking the Code: Exploring You
Fuzzy flags to find your way.
Welcome! This is Hope Sparks, a weekly newsletter about making changes in our lives. Did somebody forward this to you? You can subscribe to the Hope Sparks Substack here.
This Week I’m diving into:
Part 2 in my Spark Series: How we find our unique spark
Spotlight - Wise elder and visionary Phil Moore shares a little story on how he witnesses his spark (I call them Phil'isms:)
Ready to crack the code of you? Let’s hunt for your spark. Follow my path.
If you didn’t catch my post last week on what’s our spark and questions to ask yourself—here they are.
Our Spark? It’s the unique blend of what you're really good at and what truly lights you up, making everything you do shine with purpose and originality.
Doorways To Suss Spark
How do you know what your spark is?
Pay attention.
Open up time and space, and live in questions. Yes, it's that simple. And that hard.
These are tried and tested doorways that lead to your spark.
Your spark has been installed in your internal hard drive: you’ve been doing it since childhood. To some degree, it’s a red thread through your entire life. A consistent, often wonky and winding, line from childhood to now. Reach back to the younger you. Consider how you contributed, or were appreciated even then. Recommendation: Look to your parents, siblings, teachers, or anyone who knew you when you were younger for insight.
It sparkles in many different situations and opportunities. Attune to the activities and habits that are natural to you. What stands out in varied situations is your clue. Your spark is the essence you bring to all scenarios in which you thrive. It comes easily to you. Hot tip: often others will recognize it before you recognize it in yourself.
Your spark shows up everywhere—not only at work. Consider what people rely on you for? At home, in relationships, at work? Is there a common theme? What stands out if you look deeper. It will show up all over your life map. Once you tug on one part of this string, you'll be able to follow it all over. Insight: It may blow you away that it’s been sitting under your nose all this time. Unnoticed.
When you’re in the flow of your spark, you might not think it’s anything special. It feels natural. We have a tendency to take our spark for granted because we’ve always done things this way. It might not feel flashy or exciting. It might even seem a little mundane because we’re so used to being ourselves and doing things in this way. Attune to this: When you acknowledge the places you strive, you come closer to the heart of what drives you.
Spend time with others who are honing in on their spark. We are who we spend time with. Are you around others who are feeling into their spark? Or do the people around you attempt to streamline their uniqueness, hide their spark or dim it to fit in?
"Friends and I call it the “sparkle”. They reliably shine in every context. It’s a joie de vivre mixed in with a dedication to craft, lightly encased in wit. Chances are, they’ll become the best in their field (and have fun doing it). You just want to be around them. They have a good vibe." - Anson Yu
Other people count on you for your special talents (aka spark). What things do other people always count on you for? Look to those as clues to identifying your spark. Consider the ways you impact people. Source the things they come to you for. These could be how you shine as a hero in the world.
The beauty of it all? You can keep refining and amplifying this spark throughout your life journey... and it only gets more fulfilling. This journey of uncovering and refining your spark is an ongoing adventure. The more you embrace it, the deeper the glow is.
Find others to reflect back your spark.
I believe we can be too close to see ourselves truly. My unique reflective ability (part of my spark:) helps to bring others’ brilliance into focus.
“Working with Hope is like putting on my glasses.
I know what needs to be done, but it’s fuzzy. Hope brings the steps into focus and help me see which foot to start with first.” - Kiko Waters
In my work, I become a mirror for clients. I reflect their spark within, unveiling hidden truths that empower personal transformation.
Within my family system, I become a mirror for my kids’ to lean into their spark. I have witnessed both Sophia and Alfie’s spark blaze from babyhood. When they lose sight of it, I’m there to nudge it to the foreground.
Stories tell us much about our (sparky) lives.
I asked my friend and mentor Phil Moore to share a story about his spark exploration. In his eighth decade, Phil exudes an understanding of himself. He is comfy at radiating this vibrant energy to everyone he encounters.
Phil felt called to respond to my question(s):
When have you felt most fulfilled and in your element? What were you doing, and what strengths were you leveraging?
The power of a great song can have a profound impact. Phil embodies his love of the natural world and uses music to express it. It enables him to bond with others. He wafts this spark wherever he lands. It’s magic.
How does it feel to find your spark?
Flipping amazing.
A friend and fellow coach reflected my spark back to me this past year. She interviewed me and used her wisdom to divine my uniqueness. Being seen by someone I trust felt like a glowing gift.
“Hope - your superpower is to create structures and containers where magic can occur. You are comfortable inside the mystery of the mutative process and have an unwavering trust in transformation. You allow in new inspiration and are skilled at utilizing the tools available to you. As an innate storyteller, you use your gift of storytelling as a catalyst for change in others. Through your presence you stimulate others to discover something more about life.” - Jenny Arndt
As soon as this was reflected—my twinkle cemented. The result was immediate. It inspired me to double down and support you to find your spark.
Believe me. The awareness of your spark will have a profound impact on your life and those around you. The more you see it, the more it will come out.
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See you next week. If you enjoyed this read, please invite your friends. I’m sure they have a spark to source.
In your corner,
With love,
Hope
I’ve always been fascinated by the human capacity to heal and the absolute power of Empathy. That word and its truest meaning, however, is rarely practiced. Yet, with those who learned, it literally saved my life, saved me from me. I’m working right now, in my elder years, at “sparking” up that flame/fascination I have and bringing more to light on how healing is possible by sharing how I did it. Thanks Hope for helping me along with this ❤️