Wooster - Ignite your spark: discovering who you are from the inside out

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This Beyond Words/Simon Pulse edition January 2017

Text copyright 2017 by Patricia Wooster

Cover copyright 2017 by Beyond Words/Simon & Schuster, Inc.

All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.

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Jacket design by Sara E. Blum and Devon Smith

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Wooster, Patricia, author.

Title: Ignite your spark : discovering who you are from the inside out / Patricia Wooster.

Description: New York ; Hillsboro, Oregon : Simon Pulse/Beyond Words, 2017. | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2016018821 (print) | LCCN 2016029879 (ebook) | ISBN 9781582705651 (hardcover : alk. paper) | ISBN 9781582705644 (pbk. : alk. paper) | ISBN 9781481443661 (eBook)

Subjects: LCSH: Self-perception in adolescenceJuvenile literature. | Self-realizationJuvenile literature. | Self-actualization (Psychology) in adolescenceJuvenile literature.

Classification: LCC BF724.3.S35 W66 2017 (print) | LCC BF724.3.S35 (ebook) | DDC 155.5/19dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016018821

FOR MY HUSBAND, SCOT, AND SONS, MAX AND JACKMAY YOU IGNITE YOUR SPARK EVERY SINGLE DAY.

I f you walked into my office right now, what would you see? Youd see piles upon piles of articles and books on ordinary youth doing extraordinary things. I have newspaper clippings and internet printouts tacked onto bulletin boards. On my whiteboard, I have an ever-changing list of kids and teens I want to interview. This sits next to a bookshelf full of nonfiction and fiction booksand even memoirswritten by people who still have to get up and go to school in the morning.

This collection of youth success stories started in 2012 when I was asked to write a book called So, You Want to Work in Fashion? for teens who were interested in fashion design. Part of my job was to interview young adults already working in the industry. Next came a book in the same series about leadership, where I found an equal number of successful young adults. They were even more impressive during their interviews than they were on paper.

The question that kept coming back to me was, How are these ordinary teens doing such extraordinary things? Do they have access to better education? More supportive parents? Are they geniuses? Trust fund babies? Or related to celebrities?

I decided I wanted answers to these questions. In the process, I got to talk to some of the most inspirational, interesting, and unique people Ive ever encountered. What I found to be the common thread among these super-amazing young adults was that their foundation of success was built with a strong sense of self-identity, determination, and grit. This book is my opportunity to share my research and teach others how they can incorporate these skills into their daily lives. I hope it inspires you to ignite your own spark!

Throughout the book youll see these two symbols:

The spark igniters (rocket) are the ways you can light a spark within you. The spark extinguishers (fire extinguisher) mark ways of thinking that stamp out potential sparks within us. Keep an eye out for ways you can integrate igniters into your life, and be aware of when these extinguishers creep into your thoughts. How can you turn an extinguisher into an igniter?

Ignite: to give life or energy to; to set (something) on fire

Merriam-Webster Dictionary

W ouldnt it be great if you woke up every morning excited and energized because your days were filled with a purpose? Or if you looked in the mirror and liked the person staring back at you? What if you could improve your relationships and spend time with people who share and support your interests? Your spark includes the best parts of yourself that you can use to fulfill your dreams, love who you are, and take your life in the direction that makes you the most happy. Thats what igniting your spark is all about: discovering and becoming the person you want to be.

You dont have to be an adult or out of school to start boosting your self-identity. You can do it right now.

Your spark is not what your parents want you to do, or what will look good on your school transcripts, or even about what your friends are doing. Igniting your spark is about connecting you to the things that make you want to jump out of bed in the morning. All you need is curiosity and the willingness to try something new. Whether you are interested in finding a new hobby, making new friends, or feeling better about how you lookyou are in control of your lifes direction.

Start looking for opportunities to make positive changes in your lifewell discuss the whens, whys, and hows in this bookand get ready to remove any barriers standing in your way. This is your journey!

Morgan and Drew are best friends and total opposites. Morgan doesnt mind standing out from the crowd with her hair dyed a different color every week; Drew likes to blend in and go unnoticed. While Morgan finds a way to do the activities she likes, Drew never quite gets around to pursuing a hobby. Hes afraid of missing out on a social activity if he commits to something new.

I cant hang out with you tonight. Ive got that race tomorrow morning with my dad, and then Ive got band practice, Morgan says.