DEI Talks
The benefits of reading are endless and boundless. One moment, you are relaxing with a cup of tea, and the next, you are getting lost in its pages! Another moment, you’re stepping into someone else’s shoes in one city, anywhere in the world- when suddenly, you’re on the other side of the globe. Being able to escape to another life, another timezone, in another destination while keeping the familiar feeling of textured pages between your fingers, is our core to enjoying books- something we can’t quite get from our cellphones and tablets.
In the spirit of limitless creativity, expanded imaginations, and surging inspiration, books are an important staple here at Spark. Just have a look at our wall mural, pictured above. We have all been able to describe a time when we envisioned a part of our own lives, inspired by a novel we each read. Even our Founder, Brad Bezan, can fondly look back on literature which lit a fire in his heart, encouraging him to start a company dedicated to transforming the lives of those around him (aptly titled “Spark” by John Ratey):
“‘The Spark’ is about promoting physical health in schools. It explores how giving students more time for physical activity affected every aspect of their lives. Positive changes in the students were apparent: they were eating better, sat longer during class, actively developed positive relationships, and required less abrasive medication. The ‘Spark’ these kids experienced is what I wanted to grow into Spark Lifecare. Whichever caregiver was matched with their client, I wanted them to have a real impact, not just on their recovery but on their life.
Reading an incredible book can leave a lasting impression on us for an afternoon, a month, and often, a lifetime. Brad was able to grow an entire community to network his ideas inspired by this small bundle of paper, and leave a huge footprint in its place. We can only hope to inspire and empower our dedicated workers who make up our community in such a big way. A Spark is what ignites you. A Spark is a person who brings a meaningful change to an ordinary journey. A Spark is a life-changer.
So go ahead and make that part of your self-care routine. You’re reading this today, aren’t you? Add a few more pages from the mind of an accomplished and creative author, and you, my friend, have yourself a cozy afternoon planned. If you’ve been hesitating, maybe this is just the time to start. Have we sparked your interest?
But hey, don’t just take it from me- here’s what our incredible community of medical professionals, healthcare specialists, and care workers had to say about their absolute favourite titles:
The Harry Potter Series
by J.K. Rowling
“It makes you believe in magic in so many ways.”
- Rachel
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up
by Marie Kondo
“I feel like it’s made me relax at home because my things are more organized, and I have less to put away. I’m more inclined to keep my house tidy because of it. It’s still a work in progress as the whole process takes time, but I’m loving my home so much more now! I’d say it’s life-altering.”
- Kristen
Wuthering Heights
by Emily Brontë
- Kat
The Shack
by William P. Young
- Rachel
The Five People You Meet in Heaven
by Mitch Albom
“It is a real feel-good novel that makes you feel better about aging, and gives comfort to seniors.”
- Beth
Carly’s Voice
by Arthur Fleischmann
“Even if we don’t communicate “like everyone else,” small, or big, there is a voice inside us all wanting & needing to be heard.”
- Bridget
Shoe Dog
by Phil Knight
- Brad
Born on a Blue Day
by Daniel Tammet
“Why learn a number like pi to so many decimal places? The answer I gave then, as I do now, is that pi is for me an extremely beautiful and utterly unique thing. Like the Mona Lisa or a Mozart symphony, pi is its own reason for loving it.”
- Jen
The Spark
by Kristine Barnett
“This book is about a person on the ASD spectrum who grows up to be a genius.”
- Brad
The Forgotten Garden
by Kate Morton
- Brittany
The Hero With a Thousand Faces
by Joseph Campbell
-Mahak
Still Alice
by Lisa Genova
- Allison
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
by Stieg Larsson
“This is one of my favourite fiction novels. It’s a suspenseful book that I didn’t want to put down until the mystery was solved.”
- Julia
Girl, Stop Apologizing
by Rachel Hollis
“I’m currently reading Girl, Stop Apologizing by Rachel Hollis, and it’s so inspiring - all about how to let go of excuses and achieve your goals!”
- Emily
