Sitting here feeling super grateful at the moment. I had some candles lit while drinking my coffee as it was still dark out. Well, a few minutes ago I decided to make a super quick run to the small store a block away, (I can literally see this store from my house) and almost left with the candles lit telling myself I would just be gone for a couple of minutes, but my gut told me not to chance it, so I blew them all out.
Upon returning home, I relit the candles and laid the disposable lighter about 7-8" away from a small diffuser with a tealight candle burning in it, like I always do. Minutes later, I heard a strange sizzling sound and as soon as I looked in that direction flames shout out and up! The lighter was evidently leaking and the gas had caught the lighter on fire, which quickly spread to a nearby piece of paper! I jumped up and swept the burning lighter and paper into an empty trash can and took it outside where I quickly extinguished the flames. All of this happened in mere seconds!
I am so grateful that I have learned to listen to my gut and that the incident happened while I was sitting only feet away. This is why I make certain to always be in the room while burning candles.
__________________
“You’re so hard on yourself. Take a moment. Sit back. Marvel at your life: at the grief that softened you, at the heartache that widened you, at the suffering that strengthened you. Despite everything, you still grow. Be proud of this.”