Ember Book - Chapter 3 - The Guardian

The ember is a powerful force with the potential to transform our lives and the world around us. It's the driving force behind our creativity and passion, propelling us forward in the face of obstacles and challenges. But to harness the ember's power, we must first learn to become its guardians.

As the guardians of our ember, we are responsible for nurturing and protecting our creative energy and passion. We must take ownership of our growth and development and develop the qualities and practices to help us sustain our ember over the long term.

So, what does it mean to be a guardian of the ember? And how can we develop the qualities and practices to help us become effective guardians? In this chapter, we'll explore the importance of guarding our members, the qualities of a good guardian, and the steps to becoming effective guardians.

Importance of Being a Guardian of Our Own Ember 
In a world that often values conformity and the status quo, being a guardian of our members can be a radical act of self-expression and individuality. It means rejecting the notion that we must fit into a preconceived mold or follow a prescribed path and carving out our unique path based on our passions, talents, and values.

Research has shown that people who take ownership of their goals and aspirations tend to be more successful and fulfilled. In a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, researchers found that people who set goals and actively pursued them were more likely to experience positive emotions, have higher self-esteem, and feel more satisfied with their lives.

Being a guardian of the ember also means being willing to take risks and embrace uncertainty. It means recognizing that failure and setbacks are inevitable parts of the creative process and can be valuable opportunities for growth and learning. By embracing risk and uncertainty, we can open ourselves to new possibilities and experiences and create original, impactful work.

One example of a guardian of the ember is artist and author Austin Kleon. In his book "Steal Like an Artist," Kleon encourages readers to take ownership of their creativity and be open to inspiration and influence from various sources. He writes, "The best advice is not to write what you know, it's to write what you like...write the book you want to read, make the movie you want to watch."

Being a guardian of the ember also means being mindful of our surroundings and the people we surround ourselves with. It means seeking out environments and communities that support our growth and development and distancing ourselves from those that stifle our creativity and passion.

In a study published in the journal Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, researchers found that creative people tend to have more extensive and connected brains, allowing them to make more novel and original connections between ideas. However, the study also found that creative people are more sensitive to their environments and can be easily influenced by negative feedback or criticism. This underscores the importance of being a guardian of our ember and cultivating environments and communities that support our creative energy and passion.

In conclusion, being a guardian of our ember is crucial to our growth and development as creative individuals. It means taking ownership of our goals and aspirations, embracing risk and uncertainty, and surrounding ourselves with environments and communities supporting our creative energy and passion. By being a guardian of our members, we can unleash our full creative potential, achieve our goals and aspirations, and leave a lasting legacy that inspires others to do the same.

Qualities of a Good Guardian

To become an effective guardian of the ember, we should cultivate several essential qualities. These include:

Resilience - The ability to bounce back from setbacks and challenges is essential to being a good guardian of the ember. Resilience allows us to persevere in the face of obstacles and setbacks and to maintain our creative energy and passion over the long term.

Self-Awareness - Good guardians of the ember are aware of their strengths, weaknesses, and tendencies. They understand their creative processes and what fuels their passion, and they use this self-awareness to make informed decisions and take purposeful action.

Perseverance—Good guardians of the ember are persistent and determined. They are willing to put in the hard work and effort required to achieve their goals and aspirations and don't give up easily.

Self-Discipline - Good guardians of the ember have the self-discipline to stay focused and motivated, even in the face of distractions and competing priorities. They develop habits and routines that support their creative energy and passion and stick to them consistently.

Adaptability - Good guardians of the ember are adaptable and open to change. They are willing to experiment and try new things and are not afraid to pivot when their creative energy and passion take them in a different direction.

Steps to Becoming a Good Guardian

So, how can we become effective guardians of our members? Here are some steps to get started:

Set clear goals and aspirations—To be effective guardians of the ember, we must first know what we're working towards. Set clear, specific, and achievable goals for yourself and use them as a guidepost for your creative energy and passion.

Develop self-awareness—Reflect on your creative processes and what fuels your passion. Understand your strengths, weaknesses, and tendencies, and use this self-awareness to make informed decisions and take purposeful action.

Build resilience—Resilience is critical to being a good guardian of the ember. Cultivate resilience by developing a growth mindset, reframing setbacks as opportunities for learning, and practicing self-compassion.

Establish habits and routines - Establishing habits and routines that support your creative energy and passion can help you stay focused and motivated over the long term. Develop a daily practice of creativity or set aside specific blocks of time for pursuing your passions.

Seek support and accountability—Building a community of like-minded individuals who can offer support, encouragement, and feedback is essential to being an effective guardian of the ember. Seek mentors, coaches, or peers who can help keep you accountable and provide valuable insights and feedback.

Embrace experimentation and adaptation - Being a good guardian of the ember means being open to experimentation and adaptation. Don't be afraid to try new things or pivot when your creative energy and passion take you in a different direction. Embrace the journey and trust in your intuition and instincts.

By taking these steps, we can become more effective guardians of our ember and nurture and protect our creative energy and passion over the long term. We can develop the qualities and practices to help us achieve our goals and aspirations and leave a lasting legacy of excellence and impact.

In conclusion, being a guardian of the ember is essential to unleashing our full creative potential and pursuing our passions and aspirations with unwavering determination and purpose. By cultivating resilience, self-awareness, perseverance, self-discipline, and adaptability, we can become more effective guardians of our ember and achieve our desired excellence and fulfillment.


As we all read this book together, drawn by a shared yearning to stoke the flames of our creativity and passion, let us anchor ourselves in a truth that has withstood the test of time: we are called to be the guardians of our ember. This ember, the divine spark within us, is a testament to our Creator's intention that we live lives marked not by mediocrity but by profound creativity and passion.

In the Scriptures, we find a resounding call to this guardianship. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, urges us, "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure" (Philippians 2:12-13). Here, Paul is not merely speaking of our spiritual walk but of the divine partnership in which God's creative power works within us, urging us towards excellence and innovation in all areas of our lives.

To be a guardian of the ember is to recognize that this divine spark is a gift entrusted to us by God, not to be hidden away but to be nurtured, developed, and shared. It is to embrace the truth that our creativity is not for our glory but for His, a means through which His splendor and love can be made known in this world.

Jesus, in His teaching, tells us, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden" (Matthew 5:14). Our ember, this light within us, is meant to shine brightly, illuminating the darkness, inspiring hope, and drawing others to the warmth of God's love. To hide this light, to let the embers of our passion and creativity die out, is to diminish the purpose for which we were created.

But let us not be naïve; the path of a guardian is fraught with challenges. Doubt, fear, rejection, and criticism loom as formidable adversaries, each seeking to extinguish our flame. Yet, we are not left defenseless. The Apostle James offers this encouragement, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance" (James 1:2-3). Each challenge we overcome, each barrier we breach, serves only to fan our ember into a blazing fire, a testament to our resilience and God's sustaining power.

How, then, do we cultivate the qualities of a steadfast guardian? It begins with faith, a deep-rooted belief in the God who has called us to live lives of creative purpose. It is nurtured through prayer, seeking God's guidance and strength in moments of doubt and fear. It is sustained by fellowship, the support and encouragement of a community that sees the divine spark within us and helps fan it into flame.

As guardians of our members, we are called to a life of discipline and dedication. We are urged to clothe ourselves in humility, understanding that our creativity is a gift to be used in service to others. And we are reminded to keep our hearts and minds open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to direct our paths and inspire our endeavors.

So, let us embrace our calling as guardians of the ember. Let us live boldly, love deeply, and create with the enthusiasm of those who know their purpose is divinely inspired. May our lives reflect the Creator's beauty, complexity, and love, and may the light of our ember shine so brightly that it draws others to the warmth and hope found only in Him.

​Remember, the journey of a guardian is not a solitary trek but a shared adventure. Together, let us ignite the world with the beauty of our creativity, the depth of our passion, and the love of our Creator. Let us be the guardians of the ember and, in doing so, reveal the face of God to a world in desperate need of His light.

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