Liam OConnell - The Fire Philosophy: Cope Positively with Change and Live a Happy Life

Cope with change and live a happy life

Published by Accent Press Ltd 2011

ISBN 9781908086914

Copyright Liam OConnell 2011

The right of Liam OConnell to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, design and Patents act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the publisher: Accent Press Ltd, The Old School, Upper High St, Bedlinog, Mid-Glamorgan, CF46 6RX.

With thanks to..

Roy, for everything you have done for me and my mom over the years and for becoming my true father..

Sue, for putting up with me and all my strange ways all these years. 25 and counting... xxxx

Geoff for being a great friend.

Liam OConnell

All the people who have inspired me over the years. The support from my fantastic family and friends, and to you for buying this book. If reading this book helps just one person change their life for the better, then it has all been worth it!

Steve Lilley

Foreword

A long time ago, in a strange and dark world far beneath the earth, there lived four little devils who stoked the fires of hell. It was hard work, but most of the time they enjoyed what they did, after all it was a job, and these days beggars cant be choosers.

The devils were in many ways just like you and me; they had their strange quirks, their strengths and weaknesses, their hopes and their worries.

Life had returned to something like normal in the days and months following the little devils discovery of the new fuel for the fire. The new fire had helped them regain their motivation and sense of purpose.

They had gone back to their normal familiar routine do you remember it?

Wake up, go to work, work hard, go home... Wake up, go to work, work hard, go home...

The devils were determined that they would never let their fire go out again!

But they were about to find out that lifes many twists and turns can sometimes lead to a very dark place indeed. A place that nobody wants to go to, even though the temptation can be almost too much to resist!

I have often heard it said that the simple things are the most important. Perhaps we all need reminding of that from time to time, and the devils are no different.

Why dont I introduce them to you?

Sparky

A creative soul, Sparky is always coming up with new ideas. He loves having fun and grasping the many opportunities that life brings. Sparky has a positive, "can do" attitude, is fast thinking and a bit quirky. Some people might say he is a little sensitive and doesnt like criticism, but then, who does?

Oxy

Oxy is keen to get things done. He is very good with his hands and is always the first to get stuck in when something needs to be finished. He usually sees the bright side of life, and would rather take action and complete a task than sit around talking about it all day. Some people might say Oxy is rigid and lives by rules and regulations, but that might be a bit harsh.

Diesl

A really deep thinker, Diesel is sound and reliable. Xou can always depend on him in a crisis. He will listen to both sides of an argument and make his own judgement. Some people might say he can be negative, a glass half-empty sort of person. But is that really the case, or is it just the thoughtful look on his face?

Stuo

Stubbo has seen it all before. He tends to think that everything always goes wrong for him and he has a negative attitude to life in general. He doesnt like change and prefers things to carry on just the same as always. Some people might say he is one of lifes victims... read on and make up your own mind!

Now, lets catch up with the little devils to find out what they have been getting up to, and see what new changes have happened in their lives.

Chapter 1

It had been another long and tiring day at the furnace but as Sparky strolled home, he had a sudden and unexplained urge to go off in a different direction for a change.

He had often wondered which way some of the other caverns and dark passageways led, and it wouldnt hurt to explore them for a few minutes, would it?

So, instead of going right along his usual path, he turned directly left at a fork in the road and headed into the darkness. He wasnt sure what hed find but for some reason that night he didnt care, something was telling him to do something different, to try something new.

As he walked along he was excited at what he might find. He remembered the last time he had set out on an adventure like this with Diesel and Oxy, when they had finally found their new fire!

That was a long time ago now and all the devils had become settled into their old routines and were quite happy although he had noticed that Diesel was acting strangely lately and seemed to be in a bit of a dream world. As for Stubbo, he hadnt seen him since that time at the old furnace when he was just sitting there waiting and waiting for his fire to come back to life.

Sparky had been walking for a while now and decided he should be going back home. He stopped for a moment to think, propping himself up against a rock that jutted out into the passageway. He had learnt a lot over the last few years, but then life is a constant journey and we are always learning.

As Sparky pondered on his thoughts, he leaned back further against the rock. Suddenly, there was a huge crash! He stumbled backwards through a hole that had opened up in the rock face. He was stunned for a few seconds, then slowly began to make out a narrow, low passageway in the darkness ahead. He looked behind him; he could see that somebody had tried to block the hole up and disguise it so no-one would find the entrance.

As inquisitive as ever, Sparky began to crawl through the passageway. Then he saw it! At first he thought it was just a big rock, but as he got closer he began to make out the shape of an old chest. He pulled the chest out of the passageway and stared at it. Finally, he opened it and pulled out a dusty old scroll. Through the light of his torch he could just about see the words The Fire Philosophy inscribed on it.

Cautiously, Sparky untied the scroll and began to read the handwritten words.

Sparky stared in amazement. Why had he been chosen? What did it mean? He could see that there were many more words written on the scrolls, perhaps he would find the answers there? Well, lets find out shall we?