Light amidst the Darkness

Tonight, I decided to take a mental break from the world. Something I feel is necessary to flush out anything that has caused any form of stress, animosity, or negativity.

I lit seven candles this evening and set them in the window sill of my bedroom. Seven beautiful candles,each of their own deep and vibrant color,each of their own dancing flicker from the calm summer-like night breeze. Each somehow holding their own meaning, their own song, their own story of love,of hardship,of losses and of gain.

Now, only six dancing flickers, the first taken by a force of wind that it couldn't stand to hold. I've decided that this one represents those that I have lost, those that I have lost to a battle they chose to lose all on their own. Those that gave up so easily to the strong winds of life... the winds that came and then gone. Those that no matter how big the number nor how tall the crowd didn't see that their light was the brightest shining light amongst all of our own.

Two more are fading away, these represent those I use to call my friend, those who didn't seem to understand that friendship was a whole lot more than the good times. Those that thought they'd be better off finding something that can only be found in a childs dream. Those that only heard what they wanted rather than having an appreciation for someone who wouldn't tell them anything but the truth... Fading away and then gone.

Four are still lit, one with no movement, an almost blinding, still brightness, two together, with completely different dances, and another, that when it's focused on, lets off its beautiful aroma and ever so often bright flicker. The beautiful aroma of the earth, the chirping of birds, the flow of the river, the dance of the trees, and the coming and going of the sun. The two together are my family and friends that even so dim in comparison to the still canndle, are shining brightly, continuously there, dancing their own dances but coming together to stand the test of time of what true love and friendship really is. Lastly, my God, shining brightly and still, always, always watching me, always letting me be who I wish to be, and if I choose, always shining so bright as my reminder that HE is the one guiding my way,who without, the others would not exist.

I will fall asleep tonight, as I do every night, with these four candles always lit in my life. Each one of them a blessing.

"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12