I worked with a young lady yesterday, an athlete who loves soccer.  She has had some health issues in the last year and has been struggling to get back, get herself back-the self back that makes her happy.  Her light had gone out and I saw it.  So, I knew immediately my job was to help her "get it back"  Not only for the soccer field, but for LIFE. 

     You see, being an ATHLETE is great, its awesome, being able to "live in the moment" doing the sport you love is a happiness down inside you that nothing else can give you.  However, to get to that happiness, we must not waiver on the foundation that gives us that, strengthens us.  So I just talked to her as a person, as the young girl that she is.  Not the star soccer player but the scared girl who isn't sure she will ever feel good again, really good.  Or fast enough, or good enough, ...sound familiar to any of you?  I know it does me, I have been there, not in the exact same way as i never even got the opportunity to play sports in school -but I have been there. 

By the end of our talk her light was back and we were both excited about what would come in the next days,weeks, and months as she trained at the clinic and we worked together.  She  took a new look at her life and the opportunities she has "right now"  I explained she is starting fresh, a clean slate, (we all have the opportunity each day to start with a clean slate do you know that?)
She now has her end picture, her goals set and I am determined to help her, to empower her, to be that girl again who "lights up" on and off the soccer field.  All American...here we come...

How did I find her light?  I asked about her, what makes her happy, when did she feel joy from right down deep inside?  She told me and when we talked about it she lit up like a christmas tree.  YAY.  I LOVE when I get to "help make that spark" It is truly my honor.
I shared some of my own story with her, gave her some "homework" to do and encouraged her to step outside her comfort zone and refocus and it was like I gave this girl a limitless credit card to the mall....she left with a bounce in her step and still talking and smiling all the way to the car.  Ahhhh....I did it, Inspired, more importantly, Empowered,  another life.

I may have been through a lot in my life but these obstacles and difficult times I have been through has given me my foundation to be able to do what i do.  And,  when i can "add light" to someone that sparks a light in me that warms me all over-it is a true blessing.  I believe we all have the ability to spark light in others, and ourselves.  Remember the times that have made you the happiest and tap into those, use them for fuel and encouragement, use that emotion of Joy for energy to help you to "pursue your own passion and purpose" it is there where your light will shine the brightest.  Today, make sure you are keeping your own sparks going guys....and if you need help, give a hollar!

There are many things that have fueled my sparks lately, people starting to read my book and letting me know how it has inspired them, feeling support from people in my life, getting through a workout with Ben, Mother's Day with the most special boy in the world, hearing how someone else has accomplished something great, .....

I am also adding a picture of the greatest little "spark" in my life that radiates a light from within me daily....just so I can "share the light"...look into my eyes in this picture, that is light I want to see in you...if you have it, be grateful for it, if you don't, work to find it, I know it is there!

LIVE LIFE FULLY
Dottie