Multiplying Candles

(My apologies to my college philosophy professor.)

If I were to light a candle and place it on a table in the middle of the room, there would be one candle burning in the middle of the room. If I were to bring ten people into the room, asked them to gaze upon the candle, wouldn’t the candle somehow multiply? Each person would look at the candle in his or her own way, bringing forth memories which belong only to them, and dreaming dreams unique to their hearts. The light comes from one candle, but it now shines through ten people. Imagine if they took the light and shared it with others. Wouldn’t the candle multiply once again . . . and again . . . and again?

If a sole voice sings a song, it is but one person singing . . . but if people listen or join in, isn’t the song multiplied?

If one person dreams of building houses for less fortunate families, it is one dream . . .  but if others lift hammers and paint walls doesn’t the dream become larger?

And if a person brings a very special light into the world, one that can enlighten the entire world, it is but one light . . . but if others gaze upon that light and take it to others, doesn’t the light grow brighter?

Such questions inspire me to look at the world flickering before me in new ways. What if we took the gifts given to us and passed them along to others? Wouldn’t the gifts multiply? Such gifts could be as simple as kind or encouraging words or gestures, or as grand as wild and reckless dreams, but the question is what do we do with such lights? Do we take them into the world? If left under a bushel, or kept to ourselves, the flames remains small or go out. If shared, they can illumine the world.

Not a bad way to live one’s life, eh?