“When you withhold your blue flame, you are withholding a gift from the world. ‘That doesn’t matter because my gift to the world sucks,’ you’ll say in your bad moments. Guess what: you don’t get to make that call. Because it’s not about you. If this were about self-fulfillment, then sure, you could quit. It’s so much more than that. There is a way you were meant to impact the world, and it’s not fair to keep it to yourself.”- Jennifer Fulwiler
In Chapter 22 (“You Can’t Quit”), the final chapter of Your Blue Flame, Jennifer Fulwiler reminds you of the many possibilities unleashed when you ignite your blue flame. As a result, many options present themselves to you. However, Jennifer underscores, there’s one thing you cannot do — quit.
Certainly, the author observes, it’s so much easier not to try. As Jennifer knows from personal experience, there’s a comfort in giving up. As a result, she expands this idea:
“You tell yourself your best years are behind you. You convince yourself there’s no point. If you say it enough times, maybe that nagging voice in the back of your head that says you have something valuable to contribute will finally go away. Pour a drink, pop on a show, and keep you head down until you feel comfortably invisible to the world.”
But, people receive blessings when you simply put yourself out there and try to use your blue flame. Even if your flame’s a mess most of the time. All you need to do is show up. And that magic that happens depends on God.
Finally, Jennifer exhorts, do something now. Do it whether you know the exact nature of your blue flame or must work to find it. For when you experience that first spark, you’ll see something beautiful. A new energy floods into every area of your life. And you’ll find your blue flame impacts others more than it impacts you.
Today’s question: Have you ever felt the desire to withhold your blue flame? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: the annotated bibliography of Your Blue Flame
