In my travels and also in my work here in the US, I often have projects and events thrown at me, or that I simply stumble across. Some I embrace, some I do not. Behind each of these somewhere is a person holding a bow. They have started a fire. They do this with a flaming arrow.

I have a friend here who works for the Ventura Visitors Bureau. Her name is Kathleen Fitzgerald. Her bedroom name (the name we all use for her in private) is Firestarter. What she does is identify the need, come up with a potential idea, launch a flaming arrow. That arrow lands in front of the group which could be the potential solution if they take some of the flame, and simply run with it. Of course they could choose not to. The fire will either take hold and generate it’s own momentum, or die. There are no other alternatives.

Our children are sort of like that. We started a fire when we birthed, educated and mentored them. They are our contribution to a world that does what it will, when that arrow lands.

Seth Godin has this to say about the concept.

I was placing nails in the wall of a restaurant in Santa Barbara one day, hanging a show of my work, curated by a friend. Her husband and I were having a chat as we whacked nails. He had recently graduated from film school and is a brilliant cinematographer. My query: “So what are you going to do, now that you are done with school?” His response: “Oh I think that I am going to try this music thing. ”  My response was “Really? That is a tough one, but you never know. What are you gonna do for songs?” ” Oh I have these songs which I wrote for Kim. (his wife) I think that I am gonna start there.” My response was “Wow cool, be interesting to see where that goes” One of his sweet songs and evidence of his flaming arrow is right here.

Bullseye. Jack is like that a lot, one of those people whose aim is generally better than many of us.

A vital firestarter is right here. Drew Kampion.

One of my editors and friends Dina Pielaet sends this very poignant message.

The world needs flaming arrows.

Click on any of the images in the gallery to read it’s back story. Launch your arrow. Fan a fire. Do something, it will be the most fun you have ever had.