November 2 “People are like sticks of dynamite. The power’s on the inside but nothing happens until the fuse gets lit.” (Mac Anderson)

We’ve all seen the old movies and cartoons where someone had a stick of dynamite in their hand. There is usually along wick that has been lit and they are comically running around as this sparking wick burns shorter and shorter. Eventually, usually just in the nick of time, they toss the stick and find safety as it explodes. When I was a kid, I saw the old 1960s era Batman movie. In one scene, Batman is running around with what appears to be a bowling ball with a wick, which he discards to a safe place just as he’s about to be blown to smithereens.

Today’s quote makes me think of those scenes. But it also makes me think about myself and the people around me. The truth is that we all have within us explosive capabilities. When we find something that ignites the fire within us, we do become like that stick of dynamite.

A couple of years ago, Katy Perry reached the top of the chart with a catchy tune called “Firework”. Within the lyrics is this refrain:

“Baby, you’re a firework
Come on, let your colors burst
Make ’em go, “Aah, aah, aah”
You’re gonna leave ’em all in awe, awe, awe”

This song became something of an inspirational anthem for many teens struggling to find themselves in the world, as they went from feeling like a plastic bag, drifting through the wind to igniting the light and letting it shine.

This catchy song reminds us that we all have that fire within us. We all have the ability to have our fuse lit, and to explode like a 4^th of July fireworks display.

The trick is, and the hardest part is, to find where that fuse is and how to light it. Neither Mac Anderson nor Katy Perry give any insight into how to light the fuse. Their job is just to let us know of the explosive potential that comes when we do. It’s up to us to find that spark, to find that fuse so that we can burst forth.

My youngest son started off College thinking he wanted to be an engineer like his older brother. He’d seen his brother have success and how much he loved his job. He wanted that same success. He started off his time at the University following a similar path. But then, 2 years into his courses, he realized something. He really hated engineering. Sure, he had the aptitude to be able to handle the course work, but he didn’t have that fire within him that his brother had. We sat and talked for a long time, and he decided to take a summer to reflect and explore what he wanted to do with the rest of his College career, and with his life.

After that summer he came to his mother and I and said he wanted to go into Accounting. He changed up his degree program and followed that path. He has since modified it into a more general business management program. What happened after that summer has been breathtaking. He has found a dream job with a company that is helping pay for the remainder of his degree. He gets up with enthusiasm every day, ready to tackle difficult assignments. In a very short time he has risen up to a leadership level, and continues to climb the ladder. All because he found the fuse and lit it.

Today my reflection is on finding the fuse that lights the explosive potential within. In some parts of my life I have found it, and in others it still lies hidden.