Hello!

The consensus is y'all want the spicy version of me - so you shall now receive the spicy version. The funniest part of my last email about "spicy era Jennifer" was the emails I received.🌶️ Thank you SO MUCH for replying! You made me smile! What a great way to start the New Year off!

"I thought you were going to tell us you were writing erotica!" (I might have some of that out there under a Pen Name!")

"We want spice!"

"Good stuff "

"Gosh - I miss you! I want the spicier Jenn. Say it like it is. .. cuz I am tired of the fluff ... Can we LEARN to be authentic - with a kind tone?" #truth

"I'm IN! Looking forward to the spice in 2025!"

"Happy New Year! Definitely, share the spice!! Love your inside voice-sounds a lot like mine."

"I love spicy Jen. Lots of good info!"

"I've always loved your spicer side!"

"I was worried for a minute!"

"BRING.ON.THE.SPICE. I am living a substandard existence, and I want to live through you." (Follow the tips in this newsletter and let's get you more from your one beautiful life, shall we?)

How it started ... How it is going! UPDATE!

First off - My WORD for the first half of the year is ... LIGHTER! (It feels spacious, open, clean, minimalist, easy to carry, speak about, and light. I am digging it! What is your word?)

I am doing this! It feels great. It gets messy, then better, then messy again. I also know many other people doing the same thing, struggling in the same ways and moving ahead nonetheless! I believe it is okay for it to get worse before it gets better, in fact, it might work like that most of the time.

I must admit, I was in tears the other day while on a video call with a techy guy that I call Dial-a-Dude (so yes, he could see me) as I tried to figure out where things were on my new three-screen setup. After our call, he tested my new email with a "Hello, did this get to you?" I replied,

"The salty tears

running down my face

were worth it 🌶️"

Growth STRETCHES US! And that is okay! What I want is on the other side of all this discomfort! What about you? What discomfort do you need to experience to get what you desire?

Secondly, I am pulling out a fan favourite... daily intention setting. I will be setting the intention for the next day the night prior. I am writing things down and living by the book. If it is in the book, it is getting done. It makes it real. Non-negotiable. Boundaries. Keeping my promise to myself - FIRST. I must have firmer boundaries to protect myself from work creep as I get busier.

This is also happening, and I have realized I needed to overhaul and update my standard operating procedures, legal, and much more. If you are a client, you can expect a different process. I have been working with some clients to make things more precise and efficient, and I am investing in elevating the publishing process with STOKE! I cannot wait to see how it runs when I connect the dots and add power!

Thirdly, I will be fine-tuning my gratitude practice. I am good with gratitude, but since it is a superpower, I am leaning in to ensure my gratitude response is sharp and ready. I found an interview I did with John Gormley when The Gratitude Transformation Journal came out. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN!

Lastly, I am updating my Vision Board. I do this because I need to open tabs in my brain to start looking for opportunities to make things happen. I am declaring to the Universe what matters to me and letting it line up some magic. I do not even bother doing this until I know what I truly desire. I don't want noise on my Vision Board.

I do this while also thinking, "God (The Universe) helps those who help themselves." Just because it is on the board doesn't mean it will happen without my help or action.

After my hissy fit trying to locate magazines without paying $50 for them, I took my vision board down and started looking at it. I flipped through a few magazines and found new things to add to the board. Mostly words (I am a word girl, but I bet you never guessed that.) I didn't add much, but I did expand some things to be more precise. I removed some things that felt irrelevant. I feel like I took a laser beam and narrowed it in. PLUS, I decided to move where I kept the VB so I could have my coffee INTENTIONALLY looking at it once a week.

I shared the board with my sister; one thing on the board is a bathroom renovation. We discussed that a bit, and then I continued my day without further thought. Two days later, I told her I had someone come by to help me go over some ideas. (This was a total fluke, too - I had mentioned my desire to a friend, and she later connected me to this person (thanks Universe), and all I had to do was say "YES!" to his inquiry for help.) He also asked if I wanted anything else done. We walked around the house. By the end of his visit, I had a plan, resources, and a VERY CLEAR VISION. I mentioned it to my sister later that week, she said, "Don't you just love a good vision board." I had to laugh - these boards hold a personal magic!

I have also recorded a voice memo of my OWN VOICE, talking about the things on the board "as if" they have already happened. I will play that weekly while walking the dogs, taking a hot bath, or folding laundry)

Okay, that is enough of my HOW IS IT GOING voice for now. Here is some fun stuff I wanted to share!

NEW RELEASES!!

Cora Janzen, a local author deep into the writing world, released BLOOD DEBT! She began her writing career with STOKE. Many years ago... I remember her at my writing retreat, and I made her post on Facebook that she was writing a book! Click to take a peek and check out her books!

NEW AUTHOR! David Blackburn - Heart Attack Medications Explained

Recovering from a Heart Attack? This Book is Your Essential Guide.

If you or someone you love is navigating life after a heart attack, Heart Attack Medications Explained by Professor Blackburn is a must-read. Written in clear, easy-to-understand language, this book demystifies the medications prescribed for recovery and empowers you with the knowledge to take control of your health.

NEW AUTHOR! Kaleigh River - She Rises

A Poetry Collection - She is hosting a poetry mic night in Saskatoon! Such a creative idea! Give her a follow on socials!

NEW AUTHOR! Brad Siroski - The Long Road of Recovery

HE DID IT! Bestseller in the category of Drug Dependency and Recovery! (Paperbacks) He is currently also  #384 in ALL Books on Amazon.ca.

Brad is also doing a Sober Poet series on his Social Media! I love this idea! Go follow him!

NEW AUTHOR! Cody Demerais - Take Your Life Back

Cody has been working so hard to get word of his book out! He has sold more than 1000 paperback copies LOCALLY! He's got hustle. He has also recently signed with SGI to share his message throughout the province!

I LOVE SEEING THE POWER OF A BOOK AT WORK! ARE YOU READY TO WRITE YOUR BOOK?

If you feel called to publish your book in 2025, we should chat! I have opened my calendar for free 15-minute calls, but they fill quickly.

Current clients needing a consult call should email me directly so we can make it work outside of the times available on the calendar!

And for all the newly published or about to be published authors, I have started a new project ... a free newsletter JUST for writers and authors, called STOKED! We will dig in over there to keep this newsletter a bit lighter on the publishing info, so waddle over and sign up to get your first gift.

Until Next Time,

Jennifer Sparks, B.Ed., M.S., PGD

www.stokepublishing.com

www.jennifersparks.ca

My personal development books are available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle. Some are also in hardcover and audio format. If you love these kinds of books, I invite you to select your marketplace below and take a look!

AMAZON USA

AMAZON CDN

LINKS:

Jennifer's Course and Resources

STOKE Publishing + Author Services

JENNIFER SPARKS, Life Strategist + Speaker

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