As I sit here in the quiet of the early morning, I can’t help but make a correlation between the candle I’ve just lit and life itself.
I watch the flame sputter and struggle. The wick appears to be too short to keep it alive. Using a corner of the tissue I carry in my pocket I carefully sop up the tiny puddle of liquid wax. Ah, that does the trick and now I have a small, burning flame.
After a few minutes of writing, my eyes wander to my candle once more, only to discover that the flame is out. The wax, necessary to keep it going has drowned it out. This time, I carve a significant amount of wax away from the wick and relight the candle. Now that the flame has enough exposed wick and the right amount of wax to feed it, there is no more struggle. It is bright and glowing.
I contemplate the actions I’ve taken to relight my candle and decide that it is indeed a metaphor for my life.
Even activities that I enjoy, when too numerous, can snuff the very life out of me. Too often I feel like I’m drowning in “to-do’s.” There’s no time for the quiet-but-important things that are silenced by the urgent-but-not-so-important. My wick is too short to keep my inner flame lit. It, too, is in danger of being extinguished.
Once more, I commit myself to taking the time to separate the urgent from the important, ruthlessly carving away those activities that squander my time and energy. This is as imperative for my spirit’s well-being as it is for the flame of my candle. Each glows brighter when there is significantly less…
~Zanne
InSearchOfAuthenticity.com
© 2019 Zanne
In Search of Authenticity 
I couldn’t help but notice within the archives
posted along side your words that “In Search of
Authenticity” is nearing its third anniversary.
Congratulations! Whatever you are doing (or
deciding not to do) to keep the flame burning brightly,
it is working. I’m grateful for the countless ways each
post continues to stretch our mindfulness.
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Thank you so much Terri! I guess it is going on three years… Time slips away so quietly doesn’t it?! I so appreciate your support! 😘
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I found this piece to be very profound and relatable.
Thank you
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Luved this and so timely for me as I re-enter my community here in Texas since selling our condo in Naples. …Activities which squander MY time and energy….that causes reflection on what is important to me at this stage of my life….the flame glows brighter when there is less…. yes! And not just in sifting out superfluous activities but sifting out superfluous STUFF as well.
Will miss you at the monthly PBWC gatherings 🙂
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Yes, it’s so important to be intentional about the way we spend whatever time we have left. I will so miss you at our gatherings too, Patty! XO
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This post hit the nail on the head. The analogy is a perfect way to reflect what happens in my life too.
If I feel overwhelmed I will visualize the flame going out and reassess. Thank you for your guidance and reminders 🙂 XOXO
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