Be The SPARK

Be The SPARK

In the summer of 2022, I had an experience that made me think about the impact we make daily on the people's lives around us.

I was out of a job trying not to stress myself out too much about how I was going to provide for my family.? I was not in a bad situation yet as I still had several months of severance left and some promising prospects in the works, but the future was still uncertain which left me feeling a little uneasy.

My wife and I had to cut back a lot from what life had been a few months earlier, but we still had food to eat, a place to live and we could put gas in the car.? To help with our situation we would go to the gas station once in a while to get a drink and just get out of the house.

One day we were on a gas station run and I went in to get our drinks while my wife waited in the car.? As I was filling up our drinks I noticed a young woman in her early twenties come into the store.? She got in line and I noticed that she kept letting people go in front of her.? The store was quite busy and I saw her do this 3 or 4 times.? I filled up my drinks and went to get in line and she tried to wave me in front of her.? I kindly declined and said that I saw she had been waiting for a while now and to go ahead of me.

As she approached the counter I finally understood why she was letting people go in front of her.? She took out her purse and scraped together as many coins and dollars as she could and put them on the counter.? The clerk looking annoyed counted out the money she had laid down and it was a meager six dollars.? She asked for it to be put on her pump so she could get gas.

I waited patiently for her to finish and leave the store.? I paid for my drinks and it hit me like a box of rocks of how fortunate I am.? Even though I was unemployed at the time I was extremely blessed and fortunately have never had to scrape every inch of my wallet for six dollars to get a little more gas in my car.

I walked out of the store and took the drinks to my wife and I told her that I had to do something really quick.? I looked in my wallet and all I had was a $20 bill.? I took it out and walked to the pump where the young woman was finishing filling up her car with her six dollars of gas.? I looked her in the eye and I said “That was really cool what you did in the store.”? She responded, “What do you mean?”? I said, “You knew it would take some time to have the clerk count your money and you wanted to let others go ahead so they did not have to wait.? I do not pretend to know your situation, but it appears you are using the last six dollars you have with you to fill up your car with gas.? I know this is not a lot, but I hope this helps you out and makes your day a little better.” and I handed her the $20 bill.? She looked at me in disbelief and with tears in her eyes said, “Thank you!? You have no idea how much this means to me!”.? I told her to have a great day and went to my car to head home.

I don’t know what happened from that day forward for this young woman, but I know that at least for that moment I was able to make an impact on her that hopefully will have a lasting impression on how she views the world and how she might make an impact on others in the future.

I have often thought about this experience and how it made me feel and how I can continue making an impact on others.? I came up with a challenge for me to do this holiday season and I hope that others will join me on this journey.??

I am calling the challenge #BeTheSPARK.? SPARK stands for Special Person doing Acts of Random Kindness.? The challenge is to once a week, starting the week of Thanksgiving to be the SPARK to someone that crosses your path.? It can be any type of Act of Random Kindness whether it involves money, your time, your talents, service, or a hug.? The point is to be intentional and impact the lives of those around you.

The holidays are a busy time full of traditions and to-dos which I understand are important.? I just ask that everyone slow down a little bit and pay attention to those around you and find the opportunity to Be the SPARK to someone that needs a little help or positivity in their lives.?

I would love to see stories all over social media with #BeTheSPARK to lift the hearts and spirits of those in our communities that need it most especially at this time of year.

So please, join me in this challenge and invite those around you to do the same, and together let’s start the SPARK to light up the lives of those around us.? It will make a difference in your life and help bring the true meaning of the holidays to life.??

#BeTheSPARK