Be Apart of History: A WWII Memorial for Women on the Home Front with Raya Kenney

In this Sparky Life episode Raya Kenney discusses her 11-year journey building a Memorial for Women On The Home Front during World War II, emphasizing visibility and recognition for their contributions. She details the project's design, fundraising needs, and educational goals. Raya highlights the importance of mentorship, community, and advocating for gender equity in skilled trades.

The conversation addresses overcoming challenges, imposter syndrome, and the significance of self-worth. Raya invites listeners to support the memorial project and engage in discussions on empowering women. With support from mentors like Mae, the original Rosie, and a strong community, Raya aims to preserve family histories and inspire a "we can do it" attitude among women. We explore the evolution of women's roles in the workforce and the importance of education and mentorship for future generations.

Connect with us:
@sparkylifeoflia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRGO5tWne14
Raya Kenney at the SOTU with CBS Evening News

Sparky Life Supports:National Memorial to the Women Who Worked on the Home Front Foundation

Here's Raya and a little about her memorial
Congress approves Women Who Worked on the Home Front Memorial

Here's the link to donate.
https://marnie-kenney-sfg2.squarespace.com/checkout/donate?donatePageId=63d1d506217f9e44111ecfea

Apply for Skilled Trades the Mike Rowe Scholarship
https://www.mikeroweworks.org/scholarship/

Financial Advising for the skilled trades:
email Jennifer@PlatinumWealth.net website  www.PlatinumWealth.net


Music by https://www.purple-planet.com

Transcript

Raya (00:00:00) - So the legislation that got passed in that December was stipulated that we have seven years to get it finished. However, if we're still working at the end of that timeline, we can make an appeal and they can like lengthen how long we have to do it. But right now, now that we have permission to build in Washington, D.C., I'm working on legislation that would allow us to build closer to the National Mall, because I think these women are at that same level and deserve to be seen just as visibly, and then also fundraising. So I can afford to pay all of the people who are the experts in their various fields and afford to pay for materials, and continuing to get this out into the world so people know what we're doing.

Lia (00:00:41) - And then once you actually complete this, then you need funding to maintain the property. Is that correct?

Raya (00:00:48) - Yeah, I think we need an extra 11% on however much the total cost is to help to pay the National Park Service to maintain and upkeep it for all of eternity, because that's how we.

Lia (00:01:07) - Welcome to the Sparky Life podcast. I'm your host, Lia Lamela, and here I share skilled trades conversations with those I've met along the way. Originally, when I started The Sparky Life, I wanted to share the unseen heroes, the trade tales that many people aren't even privy to. And I wanted to create a safe space for women in the skilled trades. I also wanted to debunk some myths regarding the skilled trades, and open people's eyes to all of the opportunities the skilled trades has to offer. Personally, my whole life changed when I started a career in the skilled trades and I learned it's not just a career path, it holds life lessons and keys to success. But now, Sparky life has evolved much like a construction site. You never know what you're going to get with a Sparky live episode, but somehow, in the end, it all comes together, building a better understanding of the skilled trades opportunities. Join me and the Sparky Life guests every Thursday, where we are here to help you create the sparks in your life.

Lia (00:02:28) - Our guest today at the age of 11 had an incredible idea. Raya Kenney has been working since the fifth grade to diligently pursue building a memorial for women on the home front during World War Two. Just this past year, Raya moved closer to her goal by getting Congress to approve her bill, allowing her to obtain a piece of land in which to build the memorial on. I admire her discipline. Raya has been pursuing this for over a decade and continues to move forward, making this mission a reality. I look up to her and having her on the Sparky life. She did not disappoint. Raya gives keen insight into building the monument for women on the home front. She shares how she manages to maintain her focus and drive. Raya blew my mind with her knowledge about our history and what she would like to see for our generation in the future. If you would like to be a part of history, you can donate to the Foundation for women on the Home Front Memorial. The link in order to donate is in the show.

Lia (00:03:44) - Notes. Welcome with me a very special lady, Raya Kenny. I love your picture that just popped up.

Raya (00:03:53) - It is so fun. Thank you. Yeah yeah yeah yeah, I think I took it in my bedroom one day. It was random.

Lia (00:04:01) - It's hysterical.

Raya (00:04:03) - Cute.

Lia (00:04:04) - And very appealing.

Raya (00:04:06) - Thank you. Thank you so much. How are you?

Lia (00:04:09) - I'm great. I am thrilled to be sitting down with you today. So very happy.

Raya (00:04:14) - Likewise. I'm very excited.

Lia (00:04:16) - I met you when I met May. And for those of you who don't know, May is the original Rosie. She's an amazing human being. And she told me all about you and your mission. And I was just jaw dropped, impressed, amazed. Couldn't believe, like, I I'm like, oh my gosh, I have to have her come on this Sparky life. I have to have her. So the one most important thing I want to ask you to start with is when you were 11 and this came about. You've been working at this since that age.

Raya (00:05:00) - I've been working on it since I was in fifth grade. Yeah, it's been almost 11 years, I think, which is.

Lia (00:05:05) - Oh my gosh. So it started in fifth grade. Wow. And was that connected to a classroom?

Raya (00:05:12) - Yeah, it was a school project at the time I was homeschooled. But my history or I guess at the time social studies teacher came to me and said, I'm going to have you build a model monument to someone or something that hadn't been recognized yet in Washington, D.C., and I had just seen A League of Their Own, which is about the women baseball players. And I thought that was really cool. And so I started researching, and I learned that there are over 18 million civilian women who took over a wide variety of jobs. And I built my model to them. And then it all just sort of spiraled from there.

Lia (00:05:43) - So I have to ask, how have you held onto this for so many years and you've not stopped? We'll get into that later.

Lia (00:05:52) - But just just the pure determination. Focus on this single mission. I mean, the only other person that I've had the privilege of speaking with that has done this is Mae. Yeah.

Raya (00:06:03) - No, May is definitely one of my biggest mentors because I can look at her and see what she's done with all this stuff and the Congressional Gold Medal and know that if she can do it, I can probably do it too. Although she's a firecracker, she is the best. She's the best. I met her, I had the privilege of meeting her and sitting down and talking to her and listening to her story. It was just just amazing. She's hilarious. And she she just says things. You're like, oh, I know how you how you got where you are.

Lia (00:06:33) - Yes, yes. Was there any point where you were like, I don't know if this is going to happen because I saw your interview with WUSA nine and your comment was that you just knew. You just knew that it was going to happen.

Raya (00:06:50) - Sometimes I love my optimism because there are definitely moments I've had lots of times where I've said, oh my gosh, what am I doing? Or moments where I've gotten news. It's like far less than satisfactory being like, oh man, maybe it's not worth it, but I have a really great community of people around me, and this project is well too, that are in it for the long run. And it's like it's their support and their help too. That's that's remind me why I started this in the first place. Even when I do reach moments in this process from like, I have no control anymore, I just hope that this works out. And then it's the reminder, too, that these women drastically change the way the workforce looks today, and that without them, I wouldn't even have the opportunity to be doing what I'm doing. So it's those two things in conjunction.

Lia (00:07:35) - Okay, you are human. You give me hope.

Raya (00:07:40) - For my own.

Lia (00:07:41) - Mission. That's fantastic that you have such a strong support system, and you've already accomplished a huge step forward to just this past year with Congress approving.

Lia (00:07:53) - So can you tell I saw the clip of you talking to Congress, and I just amazed by you. I'm amazed. You're so put together. I mean, I'd be shaken in my kneecaps like, oh, I think it's.

Raya (00:08:11) - All an illusion. Trust me. I'm very nervous every single time. I remember I was at work when I got the news that the law passed in December of 2022, and I wasn't composed of it together. I just burst into tears and I had to go to my manager, go, can I go upstairs for a second? She said, oh my gosh, yes. Yeah, no. It's a crazy emotional, wild process. And sometimes it just feels like you're being pulled by the forces that be. You're like, oh man. But it's a really awesome, wonderful learning experience and a great way to meet new people and learn how to do things that have never been done before, at least things you've never done.

Lia (00:08:49) - So yes, yes. So your mission continues because it's my understanding.

Lia (00:08:56) - May explained it to me. And then I also had the privilege of watching your interview, that it's going to take approximately seven years.

Lia (00:09:05) - Yeah, put this.

Lia (00:09:06) - Whole thing into effect.

Raya (00:09:08) - So the legislation that got passed in that December was stipulated that we have seven years to get it finished. And so if we are, however, if we're still working at the end of that timeline, we can make an appeal and they can like lengthen how long we have to do it. But right now, now that we have permission to build in Washington DC, I'm working on legislation that would allow us to build closer to the National Mall, because I think these women are at that same level and deserve to be seen just as visibly, and then also fundraising. So I can afford to pay all of the people who are the experts in their various fields and afford to pay for materials, and continuing to get this out into the world so people know what we're doing.

Lia (00:09:50) - And then once you actually complete this, then you need funding to maintain the property.

Lia (00:09:57) - Is that correct?

Raya (00:09:58) - Yeah, I think we need an extra 11% on however much the total cost is to help to pay the National Park Service to maintain and upkeep it for all of eternity, because that's how long.

Lia (00:10:09) - It's going to.

Raya (00:10:10) - Be. Yeah.

Lia (00:10:11) - Absolutely incredible. Can you go into detail on what you envision for this?

Raya (00:10:16) - So right now my design is still very similar to the one that I had when I was in fifth grade, which is a very small memorial, but initially it was 20 pillars, very tall, and it had on each side of the pillar. And they needed a job that a woman held for the first time, because prior to the war, women weren't allowed into most of the workforce, and since then it's sort of transitioned into shorter, more suitable pillars that don't, you know, intrude on your eye view. And they're still there in the shape of a V, which is very common during World War two to symbolize victory. And students at school, during assemblies would stand in the V baseball games, people would stand and be.

Raya (00:10:55) - So it's very uniting symbol. But I also know that oftentimes in this memorial process, finding the location comes first. And then once that's been determined, then the design is looked at. So I'm imagining it's going to shift as we move forward. I just don't know what it will be. Yeah.

Lia (00:11:13) - So why is this important like yes, of course. That was a pivotal moment in our history. It definitely changed the way women were viewed in the workforce. It opened doors that have never been opened before. But I mean, we know this, right? So why is this memorial so important for me?

Raya (00:11:35) - I think it's about visibility. I think this was the first time women were working in the workforce. But even now, as we learn about history, the first thing we learn about is the war overseas. It's not so much how that was supported back home. And even now, if you look at, you know, public monuments and streets, so few are to women specifically. And I think it doesn't tell the right story of our nation's history.

Raya (00:12:00) - And you, you go to the mall and you see all these wonderful memorials, but where are the women that helped shape that history? And I think that in addition to reminding us what the Rosies did, it reminds us of what women have done forever. It will open doors to rewriting the full history rather than what we've chosen to present thus far.

Lia (00:12:20) - As you bring up a great point, history is always written by the perceived opinion of the outsider at that current time. So I don't I can't imagine that many history pieces were written by women.

Raya (00:12:38) - No. And if they were they, they were claimed to be written by men in some cases. I remember learning that it's like one of my classes. I was like, actually, I wrote this actually, but I don't know. I just want to make sure the right story is being told and the right people are being recognized. And it's very powerful to to go to a place where there are women recognized as a young girl. As a young boy, you can see that there always has been equality rather than, oh no, women are really still fighting to get things done.

Raya (00:13:05) - No, women have been doing things forever and ever.

Lia (00:13:08) - So yeah, yeah. So speaking of that, how do you feel about 2024 and women in the workforce? Do you believe there's equity in the way that is complete? You feel there's no need to continue to create spaces in a way because we already have it. What's your opinions there?

Raya (00:13:29) - I say there's always more space for progress. I think I'm so proud of how far we've come, and I'm so proud of, you know, how many women are in so many different workforces now, but I think there's still progress to be made, and there should still be recognition of that of those next steps we need to make. But I think we're on a far more even playing field than we were, say, in 1945. But there's always more to be done.

Lia (00:13:53) - So I after I had my experience with May, I put on all of the show notes since then about your memorial, your mission, you and how to donate. What is the best way for people to support? Because just like you said, this is incredibly important and powerful.

Raya (00:14:11) - I would say in addition to donating it's word of mouth, it's telling people about this project. It's also learning your own family history. I always encourage people to go and talk to their parents, their grandparents, if they're still around, to see what the women in their families did so they can feel they can personally relate to this project because everybody has an aunt or a grandmother or a great grandmother who works during the war, did something in support of it. So to get those stories now, while it's still possible, and to record them so we have that history available to us for future generations is something that I tend to emphasize. I really think it's important.

Lia (00:14:51) - I love that that's incredible, that that's a really great way to, as you put it, make sure the right story is being told by the people who are there. Right. Exactly, exactly.

Raya (00:15:03) - I also want the roses to be talked about in school a bit more too, because I remember I had to do that research on my own.

Raya (00:15:11) - That wasn't ever something I had heard about. I never knew that they were doing such unprecedented work. So to be able to teach students that even though it's scary and even though it's never been done before, it's very possible to to branch into new, new places and do it really well, if not better, than the people who are doing it for you.

Lia (00:15:30) - I had the same experience as you when I was in school. I didn't even know about the roses. In fact, the way that I learned about it was seeing the famous poster about her with her arm up. We can do it. That is how I look. Yes, there it is. That is how I started to learn about roses. I didn't learn in school.

Raya (00:15:52) - Mhm. Yeah. I remember that poster specifically to is it was intended for factory workers. And so a lot of the rhetoric surrounding Rosie the Riveter is, oh they built planes. They riveted. So I remember learning about women mail carriers. Women were mail carriers.

Raya (00:16:06) - Women were doing they were taxi drivers for the first time. They were coding. They were they had this job. They were called human computers because they were doing all the things that computers at the time. But the computers we have now couldn't do. Right. So they were they were doing all this stuff that was just outside of manual labor as well, that I think still doesn't fully get equal recognition under the Rosie umbrella. So just learning about all those extra job titles, I was just my mind was blown. I'm blown.

Lia (00:16:34) - Right now. I didn't I didn't know any of that. Well yeah. Okay. What would you want for the next generation of women? What would you like to see in your lifetime?

Raya (00:16:46) - Oh, there's so much. How do I put this down into a couple sentences? I mean, it's cheesy, but I, I am very much in the instilling the we can do it mindset. I think women are and to an extent that's kind of disappointing. Told that we shouldn't be doing something, we can't be doing something or have to work twice as hard to do that thing.

Raya (00:17:06) - And I just want to tell people to do it anyway and to not listen to the naysayers, because there are some and there always will be. So if there's something, there's a voice in your head telling you that you know your dream is out there, and then you can go and do it to go and do that, do that thing.

Lia (00:17:20) - And what do you think about women and women relationships now? Do you feel we have strong relations, strong, supportive tribes of women or are we lacking in that area? What are your thoughts about how women interact today?

Raya (00:17:35) - I mean, I think my generation has this whole like, women support women. I, I think it's good. I, I have a really good, I want to say coven, but then I feel like I'm calling myself a witch. Yeah.

Lia (00:17:46) - So I obviously in the definition of the word not associating with witch, that's beautiful. That's absolutely beautiful.

Raya (00:17:55) - Yeah. No, I think the women in my life have shaped me more than anything else, and I am eternally grateful to them.

Raya (00:18:02) - I love learning from women and hearing from women. We're the best. I mean, I'm slightly biased, I'm not going to lie. But yeah.

Lia (00:18:10) - That's wonderful. That's so incredible. You know, some of us don't get that type of experience or are still seeking their coven, so to speak. Yeah.

Raya (00:18:22) - They're out there. There's someone for you out there. Always someone you just gotta find the right one. I know when you find for me. When I found my best friend here at college, we just clicked. It was just, I was I was blown away. I was like, you mean there's someone like this and I get to be her friend? It was the best. Thank you. Hannah.

Lia (00:18:40) - Ah, well, now I must know about Hannah when you mean someone like this. What was that referring to?

Raya (00:18:48) - She is someone who, even when I'm having the worst day, she can make me laugh. When I think I can't do something. She kind of just lost me and goes.

Raya (00:18:56) - Yeah, you can. What are you doing? She's. It's. We can be emotionally vulnerable. She's really smart. So she she challenges. My own intelligence, which I love. Same with my mom. Used the same way. It's just someone who always pushes you to be just a little bit better, but not in a you're not good enough, but in a you can do better and I know you can type of way. The support that comes without words even. It's just like a knowledge that they just the way they look at you, you're like, oh you're right, I can do another or I can do more. Um, that sort of feeling.

Lia (00:19:29) - You hit the nail on the head when you said the difference between pushing you because you're not enough and pushing you because they know you can. Mhm. Yeah. Very important difference between those two approaches. I always love to ask what tool is in your tool belt. Being based in the skilled trades with something that you've carried with you every day that has helped you come to where you are now with all the success.

Raya (00:20:00) - Oh, such a good question. Oh my gosh. The first thing that popped into my head was the ability to ask for help, which feels weird, but I always struggle with it because I don't want to, because I am. Annoying that way. I was like, I don't actually want to help. Like, I can do it, go get her.

Lia (00:20:21) - But.

Raya (00:20:25) - There is strength in asking for help when you don't know what you're doing. Or for me, I'm working with government, I'm working with lawyers. I'm working with all of these very skilled trade work, like all this work that I have. I don't really know what goes in behind it, but there are people who are so being able to send an email and say, hey, I just completely don't understand this. Can you help me figure this out? Or, hey, I don't have the right connections. Can you teach me how to reach out to a total stranger? And having people who who have experience in those fields come in and allow them to install their knowledge on me has been a huge privilege and a huge honor.

Raya (00:21:01) - And then second tool, I would say, is being able to be an active listener, because I think that is incredibly important in terms of not only learning about other people, but like learning how to help other people and raise them up in a way that I like to be raised to as a.

Lia (00:21:18) - And what way do you like to be raised up?

Raya (00:21:21) - Like the I know I can do it and you know I can do it. And so I maybe I don't actually know I can do it, but if you recognize that I have that capability or I recognize that you have that capability, I'm going to urge you to fight even when it feels like no progress is currently being made in that same thing happens with the project, too. I'm like, oh my goodness. You know, it's been four months and nothing's happened. Time to make it. Even if it's it's fun.

Lia (00:21:49) - Scary, yes. Simon Sinek talks about all you need is just another person in your life who believes you can do it.

Lia (00:21:59) - That's all you need. Wow. Incredible. Absolutely incredible. You know, you're you're so beyond your years. Yeah. Yeah.

Raya (00:22:08) - No. Yes.

Lia (00:22:09) - Absolutely. I am a big proponent of the skilled trades. And a lot of women feel isolated in these male dominated spaces. And we really want to support one another. What do you think would be a good way for us to do that?

Raya (00:22:26) - I mean, there is no problem saying hi. So that's what I do. I remember the first time I've started going to the gym recently, and it's a very male dominated space, and it's the first space I thought of when you said, you know, women in trade skills like that with mostly men, right? I remember the first time I met a girl lifting weights. I went over to her and I said, you're so cool. Like, I'm so proud of you for being here. She was lifting, she was struggling. And now we're friends and we text and we talk about like, things that we've done.

Raya (00:22:54) - So I think talking to that other person and going up to them and making that connection, for me, at least immediately, there was a sense of comfort. There's a sense of belonging because we were in this together. But yeah, having that one person and if you really are alone in the room knowing that you belong there and that you've done just enough work to be there, if not more to make sure you can get that imposter syndrome can be kicked in the butt.

Lia (00:23:18) - Yeah, for sure. And it's not just an imposter syndrome. It's crazy. The stats on men and women in the skilled trade, starting an apprenticeship but not completing the apprenticeship, which is one of many reasons why we have a skilled trades gap today. Labor gap today is because some that they can't do it. It's not that they don't want to do it because it's to air quotes hard. It's not it. It's that construction industries are known to have not the best environments. So when you're all alone and it's just you and you're in an environment that's not a positive setting, what would you tell that woman to just hold on to?

Raya (00:24:08) - That's such a good question.

Raya (00:24:10) - First of all, that just makes me really mad, right? Me too.

Lia (00:24:15) - It's why we are here.

Raya (00:24:17) - Yeah. Or there's so much to be said for agency as a woman using your voice. And I was like, knowing what to do with yourself. But it's not that easy, is it? Not if you're in that situation. I want to just say, you know how to beat people up, but that's definitely not a failure. People's behavior towards you matters a lot, and to take accountability for their actions is not something you should be doing ever. You should never be saying, you know, hey, like this happened because I didn't know, like know, just knowing that their actions are theirs and your actions are your own and that there's a huge line between that. That's something I've had to remind people before. It's like you are in charge of your own self and that is it.

Lia (00:25:04) - Yes, that's very powerful. I would like to add to that, that what popped into my mind is that holding on to images of women like you and.

Raya (00:25:16) - May like, may like.

Lia (00:25:19) - Oh come on, you started when you were in fifth grade, for crying out loud. You have just as much as she.

Lia (00:25:28) - Does like.

Raya (00:25:31) - She is definitely my role model. I yeah, looking at people who've been through the same process, I had forgotten. But that has been a big thing too. Um, or similar processes and who fought just as hard, if not harder.

Lia (00:25:43) - Absolutely. Oh my gosh. Ah! I got so many golden nuggets I feel overwhelmed. It's just it's so good. You've obviously learned so much and grown with this amazing process and passion of yours. If there's anything more that we could do on our end to support you, please do not hesitate to ask. It was an amazing pleasure having you on the Sparky life, and I very seriously mean that. If there's anything.

Raya (00:26:20) - Anything so much for having me. First of all, it's amazing. I absolutely love your podcast too. I think it's really cool that you're you're giving voices to these people and all of this, all of these stories that have been untold, really wonderful, and I appreciate you putting us too, in the show notes, because I do think that that is very helpful in terms of people want to donate to our cause.

Raya (00:26:40) - So very much appreciated. Amazing.

Lia (00:26:43) - Thank you. That means the world to me. I'm going to get a little emotional because you're somebody that I look up to. So every.

Raya (00:26:52) - Time that I'm working towards.

Lia (00:26:54) - My mission.

Raya (00:26:57) - It's okay. Just recently, this past year.

Lia (00:27:01) - I was worried, like, why am I doing this?

Lia (00:27:04) - And I thought of you. Oh, that's why that came to me. It means so much. It means so much. So thank you.

Raya (00:27:15) - Yeah, of course I know. Trust me, I have moments where I'm literally sprawled out on my bedroom floor. So I have moments where I want to. I want to throw the towel in. I want to give up. I'm mad at myself for even thinking this whole work. I want you to know that, like I have those moments, it's it can feel really shitty sometimes because you're like, I have all these people involved. I have all these people backing me. I have all these things I've already done and things I've already like lines I've already finished, lines of crossed.

Raya (00:27:46) - But there's always another one and it can be really overwhelming. You can feel silly for thinking you can get there, but that's when you have to bring in all of the people who are around you, all of your original reasons why you started it, and then you can sort of get back on your feet and even getting back up on your feet.

Lia (00:28:05) - You're like, oh, damn. Like my feet hurt. Yeah. Yes. I definitely resonate with that.

Raya (00:28:15) - So that's where I think May Cryer's resilience has been a huge like thing where like, oh man, if she can work this long and she's I don't even know how old she is now I want to say like 60 because that's her like energy age. But you know, she mows her own lawn. She lives alone. She does all this stuff. She can do it. I can do it. If you can do it, I can do it. You know, that's womanhood. That is like community. That's all this stuff. So long.

Raya (00:28:42) - Not an easy, quick process, but worth it in the end. So very proud of you as well.

Lia (00:28:48) - Thank you. We're going to be doing a live show called Live Panel with Sparky Boots and Smoko, other two female podcasters that are on similar missions. I would love to have you a guest on the show. We do it once a month every third Wednesday of the month, so maybe we can talk about that at another time. I this way you connect to the viewers and speak with people one on one and answer questions.

Raya (00:29:16) - Ooh, that sounds amazing. Yeah.

Lia (00:29:19) - I'm totally yeah, definitely.

Raya (00:29:20) - Reach out about that. I would love to see it. Yeah, that's really cool. Yeah.

Lia (00:29:24) - I'm super stoked. Any excuse to, like, sit down with you again, right?

Raya (00:29:32) - Oh, thank you so much. You definitely flattered. My ego is, like, caught up. Yeah. Anyway, thank you so much, Lia. And you're awesome.

Lia (00:29:42) - So the.

Lia (00:29:43) - Feeling's mutual. Clearly.

Raya (00:29:46) - Okay. Amazing. Cool. Thank you so much. And it's been a pleasure.

Lia (00:29:50) - Thank you. Bye bye. Thank you for joining us. If you felt a spark in today's episode, I.

Lia (00:29:58) - Invite you to write a review. I'd love to hear what lit you up, take what resonates with you, and if you'd like to hear more of the Spark Life, please subscribe, like, follow and share. Until next time, create the sparks in your life.