Flickering

I often find myself staring absent-mindedly into the flickering of a flame. Whether it be the single dance of one lone flame atop a candle or the ballet taking place inside a roaring wood stove, I continually find myself captivated. My mind slows, my thoughts clear and this amazing feeling of relaxation takes over. While I know there is some complex science taking place in front of my eyes, I care not. I don't think I ever want to know all that is going on in front of me, some things are better left unknown in my mind, this is one of them. It's an escape, I suppose, a place of retreat where I can go whenever and just unwind, let the events of the day unravel in my mind so that I am ready to go for the next. I guess it's a place I've known about for a while, mainly around Christmas time, sitting in front of the wood stove with a pup snuggled up next to me, the tree lit and Christmas music playing softly in the background, but a place I've never put too much thought into outside of the moment. Tonight was different. I'm not sure why, but as I stared at the newly lit candle, I felt as if I were there in front of the wood stove with Sammy... relaxed. Relaxed and completely content.