Don't Let Your Fire Go Out
ERYN ROUSH

Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire.
— Reggie Leach

Sometimes I just don’t want to get out of the bed in the morning. I could have slept a full 8 hours, and still I just want to sink further into the haven of covers that is my bed. The day stretches out before me: shiny, brand new, full of promise. Still, I’m safe in my bed, with my fluffy dog Eliza and my electric blanket. Those mornings I’m simply being cowardly, not wanting to leave the safety of my bed. Then, I remember that safety is for the faint of heart, which I am not. I want the risk.

My life is constantly a risk that I am taking. I’m new to my career. I’m new to being an adult. I’m new to high heels and trouser socks (which I thought were just something my Nonnie kept rolled up in balls at the toes of her shoes.) I’m even new to balancing my checkbook. There is a whole world at my fingertips, like never before. That is an exciting (slightly scary) thought.

My confidence waxes and wanes as each day of the week passes. Some days I feel like the worst little advertising consultant to ever walk the earth. Some days I feel like a failure in my relationships with the people I love. Some days I feel like I am 100% out of my league in all aspects of living. When those days come around, it is easy to forget that I am on fire.

Fire: burning passion; excitement or enthusiasm; ardor.

I have a fire in me that was set ablaze at a young age. That fire is my passion for people, words, and the way the two influence one another. I’ve had an active imagination since my little brain had its first real thought. One of my first big girl words was “facetious,” which could explain my occasional penchant for sarcasm. I’ve loved words ever since. My love of people came from my constant contact with people of all ages. As a minister’s daughter, I learned at a very young age that people love to be loved on. In my little girl mind, making people smile with my cute quips or sweet hugs was like getting jelly beans for no reason and it made me feel good.

Unfortunately, as I’ve grown older and a bit jaded, I have almost lost my ability to feed my fire. I make excuses: too much to do, too much stress, too much heartache, too many expectations. The list could go on for so long that you would begin to think I’m insincere. I am fully candid with you when admitting that sometimes I don’t want to be excellent in the things I do. Occasionally, I just want to get by without getting scratched. What a cheap use of my life, gifts, and passions!

The key to keeping your fire going is this: remember what first fascinated you about life. No matter how childish or superficial that may be, it’s a starting point. You will never regain the innocence of childhood, but you can hang on to the newness of passion and apply that to all areas of life…and there, you can find success.

Take the risk, feed the fire, and don’t ever let it go out!