Musings on Sparks...

Tonight is the last night of Sparks. We’re meeting at 9 p.m. at Kerckhoff Coffee. (Yes, that was an example of brazen self-promotion. Do you have a problem with that?)

The experience has been a whole lot of fun. (Learn more about the concept at www.sparkgood.com). And while I’m sad to see it come to an end, I have to admit I feel a sense of relief that I’ll get a break from the mass text messages I’ve been sending. I’ve concluded that I never could be a secretary…

Here are a few of the things I’ve learned these last few weeks:

Just because people say they’ll show up doesn’t mean they will.

I’m just as guilty of this as anyone. I mean well when I tell people that their idea is a great one and that I’ll try to be a part of whatever they’re doing. The problem with this approach is that it’s misleading. Someone – usually the person planning – is bound to be disappointed. I’m learning to be straight forward with people. If I can’t do something, it’s easiest for me and for them if I just say no. And that’s totally acceptable.

I can start something and see it through to completion.

As simple as this may sound, it’s taken me a long time to learn that I have the ability to finish the projects I start. I’m great at brainstorming. I constantly have a huge list of things I intend to do someday: learn guitar, hike the California coast and even swim in Antarctica… (OK, that last one was a joke. Although that would be pretty epic…) I’m also pretty good at starting stuff. Finishing things, on the other hand, actually takes work.

But you know what I’ve discovered? That work can be pretty satisfying. I’ve been able to have a good time with great people. I can’t wait to see where Sparks goes from here and I’m willing to put in the work to help make it happen.

Life is better when lived in community.

Again, a no-brainer. But an independently-minded person like myself needs to be constantly reminded that yes, I really do need other people. Through Sparks, I’ve been challenged to change my life and the world, and there has been an amazing group of people laughing with me and encouraging me along the way. I’m more honest with myself and more willing to risk when I surround myself with people who are doing the same thing. I can’t imagine anything more beautiful than that.

There have been all kinds of other lessons along the way. One of which is this: if you really want to make an experience worthwhile, don’t settle for just dipping your toes in the water. Dive in. Let the current take you somewhere terrifying and new.

Join a Spark group. Or better yet, start one. And don’t be surprised when life looks different than it did when you started.