Fuel the Fire Within: Sparks of Clarity

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Sparks of Clarity: The Slow Reveal
By Amy Thompson

As I was finally finishing a puzzle my husband gave me over a year ago, I slowly realized that life is often like a puzzle. (Yes, it took me more than a year to complete the entire puzzle and to be honest a few pieces are still missing having been lost along the way.) So many life lessons were revealed as the picture slowly emerged.

Just starting, even if it was overwhelming, was critical. How many times have I put off a project because “I just didn’t know where to start”? The path becomes clear as you begin to journey down it. The key is to take that first step which leads to the next.

Along with that is the idea that there is not one right way to approach getting it done. Frequently, I get stuck in the idea that there is only one way to tackle things. And that is just not true. While some may start with the edge pieces, others may start by sorting colors, and still another may find a reference point and all the pieces associated with it. Most things in life are like this. There is not one single best way to do it. The best part of living your life is that it is indeed YOUR life.

Probably most obvious is that you can’t always see how that little piece fits into the big picture. The puzzle I completed had an overcast, grey sky. Even the most boring, unassuming pieces were necessary to complete the picture. The minor variations in grays, browns, and whites added depth and dimension. Just like in life, the unassuming days complete the masterpiece.

Over and over, I was shocked at how many pieces I tried to put in sideways or even completely upside down. How many times in my life have I tried to force something to fit in a way it just wasn’t meant to? Looking at situations from the side or from a totally different perspective can help you see clearly how to move forward. Continuing to force it in the way you think it should fit just causes stress and frustration. Walking around the table to change my perspective often brought the clarity I needed to put in the next piece.

Sometimes you just have to put all the pieces down and step away. We all know the importance of taking time to rest and refresh though too many of us just don’t do it. My puzzle reminded me that stepping away allows you to see a situation with fresh eyes the next time. Too many pieces to count found their homes when I came back to it after a break.

Even a piece a day will get it done. Small seemingly easy insignificant progress still moves the process along. All too often I take on an all or nothing mentality when in reality small adjustments over time make huge impacts. Making it a goal to find one piece a day the picture kept emerging piece by piece. That small one piece a day goal, increased my confidence in my ability to do the hard things in my life.

And putting in just one piece often led to putting in another and another and another until a whole section is done. Momentum is funny like that. It also served as a good reminder that action leads to motivation not the other way around. Setting a timer for even 5 minutes to do whatever I’m putting off usually leads to 10, 15, or 30 minutes of focused attention to the task at hand.

Taking a few minutes to step away from technology while having something to do with my hands helped me think better. As I focused on finding the next right piece, I often determined what the next step needed to be in the project that seemed stuck or how to handle that tough situation with my kid. In many ways it was very meditative and therapeutic to contemplate my life while working on my puzzle.

Puzzles have become my productive way to rest. I feel like I am “doing” something while allowing my brain the space to breathe. I can better see the beautiful picture being revealed as the pieces of my life find their place.

SoulFire Sparks Series: Kelley Drebes

The Power of Being a Connector

Some people have a gift for making others feel like they belong. They ask the extra question. They remember the small details. They create spaces where people feel seen, valued, and connected. That’s the kind of spark Kelley Drebes brings into the lives of the people around her.

In this month’s Spark Series episode of The SoulFire Sessions, Kelley shares how seasons of loneliness and searching for community shaped the way she leads today. Known by many as a “human dot connector,” Kelley has built her life and leadership around bringing people together, creating mentorship and connection, and helping others feel supported both personally and professionally.

Kelley’s spark is rooted in intentionality, authenticity, and community. She reminds us that leadership is not defined by titles or authority, but by how we consistently show up for the people around us. Through simple questions, genuine curiosity, and a deep care for others, she creates environments where people feel empowered to do their best work and be fully themselves.

Her story is a reminder that connection is never small. The way we listen, include, encourage, and remember people can create ripple effects far beyond what we realize.

Where in your life could deeper connection create more belonging, not just for yourself, but for the people around you?

Listen to Kelley's full episode here:

Coaches’ Corner: Life Unfolding

There’s a quiet kind of courage in allowing your life to unfold at its own pace. We’re so often taught to rush toward clarity, to force the picture to appear before the pieces are ready. But growth rarely works that way. Coaching invites you into a different rhythm. One where you learn to trust the piece you’re holding instead of demanding the whole image at once.

As you work with a SoulFire coach, we will help you slow down enough to notice what’s emerging, what’s shifting, and what’s asking for your attention right now. Not the final answer. Not the perfect plan. Just the next true step.

If you’re in a season where things feel unfinished or still forming, you’re not behind. You’re becoming. And sometimes the most powerful move you can make is simply to stay present with the piece in your hands.

Discover Coaching Now

Money Matters for Real People Series

We’re excited to introduce our new Money Matters for Real People series...a conversation space where mindset, strategy, and real-life financial decisions come together in a way that feels approachable, honest, and empowering.

Throughout this series, Cristina and Josh Montanez explore topics like financial mindset, planning for the future, investing through different life stages, protecting what matters most, and creating a healthier relationship with money overall.

In Episode 1, Mind Over Money, they explore how our thoughts, fears, habits, and early experiences shape the way we approach money and long-term wealth building.

In Episode 2, Your Money Blueprint, the conversation shifts into practical financial planning fundamentals and how to begin building a strategy that aligns with your goals, values, and future vision.

We’re so excited to share this series with you and hope these conversations encourage you to approach your finances with greater confidence, awareness, and intention.

Check out episode 1 and 2 below!

The Fire Library

Each month, we’ll share a hand-picked article, podcast, book, or tool designed to help you reconnect with your purpose and fan your inner flame.

This month’s recommendation:
“Don’t Rush It” — The Next Right Thing Podcast by Emily P. Freeman

If your season feels slow, foggy, or unfinished, this short episode from The Next Right Thing is a grounding companion. Emily P. Freeman invites you to release the pressure to hurry and instead honor the gentle pace your life is asking for right now. It’s a quiet reminder that clarity doesn’t come from forcing the picture to appear — it comes from giving yourself permission to move one true step at a time.

SoulFire Sessions is LIVE

Check out all of our episodes on our website or anywhere you get your podcasts!

We have a brand new episode of The SoulFire Sessions with Robert!

Bring SoulFire to Your Team

Did you know that we partner with organizations to create workshops and experiences focused on confidence, communication, leadership, and personal growth?

Whether your team is navigating change, building stronger connections, or investing in development, we design spaces that are thoughtful, practical, and grounded in real-life application.

If this sounds like something your team could benefit from, we’d love to connect.

Learn More