Candles

Have you ever thought about what makes a good candle? When you walk into a candle store, the candles lined up on shelves and tied up in burlap bows, how do you know that the candle you choose will be a good candle? Not only should it "smell" nice or "look" nice but also should truly possess the qualities that make a candle worth owning. I decided to make a checklist for the next time I go candle shopping. A good candle will spread light and warmth simply by existing. A good candle will bend and sway to invisible forces but not be overcome by them. It will serve selflessly because only through sharing its life will it ever be really useful. A good candle sees with an unprejudiced eye yet will soften the edges of anything that asks in its glow. Artificial lights are harsh and scrutinizing but a candle asks no questions. A good candle has self-control. It does not become emboldened by passion nor consumed by ego like its wild cousin the fire. A good candle is content and at peace. It is also a good host -- unwaveringly inviting and attentive. A good candle shows not only what is but what could be -- playing delicate shadow films over barren walls. A good candle forces you to confront your fears. It tells stories, each molten layer a piece of the past. A good candle is a gift. Not many candles at the shop will meet these criterion, but the ones that do will surely be worth having.