Wednesday, June 4, 2003
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Wednesday, June 4, 2003 |
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Local author and motivational speaker to sign book on Thursday By MICHAEL
BOYLAN A spark plug is the part of a car that takes the current from the ignition system and forms the spark for combustion. It is needed if a car is to run properly. Another definition is a person who inspires or energizes. That is the definition most closely associated with Fayetteville resident Anthony B. Thomas, better known as "The Spark Plug," a motivational speaker and author of two books. He will sign copies of his new book "When Times Are Tough, Everybody Needs a Spark Plug," at Barnes and Noble in Fayetteville tomorrow at 7 p.m. Before becoming "The Spark Plug," Thomas grew up in Greenville and Columbia, South Carolina. He served in the United States Navy for five years. In 1991, he was asked to speak at a career day at a school and he was terrified. He had never done any public speaking before. He got through career day and soon after joined Toastmasters, a group designed to help people become better public speakers. "The Spark Plug," is a dynamic speaker who strives to inspire and give hope and encouragement to others. Thomas has been known as "The Spark Plug" since 1985 and in that time he has become a popular speaker at corporate and governmental gatherings. He has become so popular that on May 14, 1997 the mayor of Flint, Michigan declared it Spark Plug Day. "The Spark Plug" has been to 17 countries around the world, has graduated from Mercer University's Leadership Program, Organization Leadership, with a 4.0 grade point average, started his own company, Spark Plug International, and authored two books with the help of his wife, Jacqueline. "The Spark Plug" has been a Fayette County resident since 1996 and though his company is located in Fayetteville he is often on the road. One of his recent speaking engagements has been speaking around the Southeast with the Georgia Bulldog Touchdown Club. In 1998, "The Spark Plug" released his first book, "125 Ways to Add a Spark to Your Day," which features a variety of things that will, as he puts it, "spice up your life." Perhaps the most important part of the book is that Spark Plug has done many of these things himself. For example, #20 is to be a mentor/tutor in the community and #35 is to visit an elderly person at a nursing home. "The Spark Plug" has mentored a student at East Fayette Elementary School and he and his wife visits a nursing home in Griffin, Ga. a number of times during the year. He is also a volunteer for the American Lung Association, Habitat for Humanity, American Red Cross and the recipient of Atlanta's prestigious Phoenix Award for community service. "The Spark Plug" does a lot of things, especially if he is afraid of it at first. That is why his new passion is hang gliding. He will treat it the same way he treated public speaking, something he has to do because he is afraid of it. "If you have the desire to do something, even if you're afraid of it, you can do it," said "The Spark Plug." The results speak for themselves, especially when he relates the highlight of his career. "I was asked to speak at a very large conference and when the head of the conference told me that I wasn't their first choice it was a little disheartening. I asked the man who their first choice was and he responded, "President Jimmy Carter," said "The Spark Plug." "When you can't get a former President, call "The Spark Plug." So where does a man who oozes inspiration get his inspiration? Biographies. "The Spark Plug" confesses to being an avid reader of biographies and has been inspired by people like Oprah Winfrey, Tiger Woods and Bill Cosby among many others. He has also had the chance to meet a number of people who inspire him including Hank Aaron, world renown artist Gilbert Young and Dr. Leila Denmark. As for future plans, "The Spark Plug" plans to keep touring the country and speaking and has already begun work on his third book, "Georgia - Spark Plug Style." As an avid traveler, "The Spark Plug" has seen every part of the state and he plans to publish his things to do and sights to see in Georgia book soon. "It will really illustrate the beauty and magnificence of the state," "The Spark Plug" said. "There have been so many places that my wife and I have found inspiring." As for why people should pick up his newest release, "The Spark Plug" says this, "It is a book about hope, encouragement and inspiration. Life is difficult and this book is meant to brighten your day." A portion of the proceeds from the book signing will benefit the Fayette Samaritans. For more information, visit www.sparkplug.net.
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