Dry Tinder

It doesn't matter how you make the spark that brings the heat.  What matters is the preparation before that spark is made.  If I don't know how to make a nest of dry, airy tender to catch that spark then my fire is doomed. Once the spark is nestled it must be gently caressed into a flame. Brought to the kindling so that the warmth can be felt by the larger pieces of wood and they are in turn brought into the world of this self consuming event.

This idea made sense on the deeper level when I was reflecting on the day spent helping teach primitive fire starting.  How that delicate spark of life, hope, or love flickers looking for a nice bed of dry tender to spread itself and be consumed in the change it has made.  The heat seeks more fuel and oxygen to burn.  If you haven't prepared yourself to have the things you want then you will never have them, further you must reach outside yourself to search for the fuel and oxygen to sustain that original spark and let it grow.

Nothing is a bigger bucket of water on that fire than projecting your expectations on to someone else.


It is sad to see Borders closing, but I got some great books at some really good prices and didn't have to wait for them to be shipped.  While I was there two individual stood out to me.  One was a very attractive and attentive young lady working, and the other an obnoxious man who was loud and impatient.

The young lady was taking the time to try and keep the books in some order.  The more cynical me would have called arranging chairs on the Titanic, but her ability to not give up in a hopeless situation was inspiring. She told me about how she applied for every job she could the day she heard they where going out of business and had found another job to cover for the loss of her current one.  No doubt her work ethic is being rewarded. 

The gentleman for lack of a better term was constantly looking to see who was paying attention to his antics and kudos to the store manager for not call the police.  I reflected on how the daily grind of dealing with ungrateful "entitled" people had worn me down over the last few days.  So I can own not always being "the nicest person in the ER" and it is okay because most of the time I am.

The Brightside is, I truly delight in teaching someone who wants to learn and reaching out to someone who needs comfort.  My dark humor and cynicism is a only a protective shell for my spark, so that life suckers can't steal it from me.  Discerning who is worthy of seeing it shine and sharing in my warmth is my new goal.  I also need to be a carefully prepared bundle of tinder so that my fire can be rekindled by a new spark

"When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us." - Helen Keller