Candles have offered graceful, simple comfort since even primitive times. People have used candles to focus on hopeful wishes, for reflective meditation, and to offer remembrance and respect. Candles are common in homes and churches, and now they are available online as well.
Uses of Candles
Small, controlled flames seem to offer something for people to focus on, which helps reduce stress and over-excitement. Candles originally provided light for those walking in the night, and although candles retain practical usages, the act of lighting a candle is deeply symbolic. Candles are mainstays of Christian church services, because of the symbology of offering hope. Being a "point of light" is a phrase used by President Bush to encourage a sense of citizenship and community. Candles are used in times of peace, such as Christmas, Haunukkah, and special services. Candles are used in times of distressed and sadness, such as when a person is worried about or mourning a loved one. Candles are used in celebrations, such as unity candles and birthday candles. Candles seem to make the world smaller and brighter, and creates a intimate sense of togetherness and tranquility. Many people use candle lighting ceremonies to help mark milestones.
Lighting a Candle Online
One website, Gratefulness.org, has found a way to create a quiet, peaceful website that allows individuals and communities to light candles. As the opening page on Light a Candle says, "A solitary candle brings light to the darkness and serves as a reminder of the power of the human spirit." (Gratefulness.org, 2007)
There are a few options to make the experience personal and allow others to find the candles.
To light a candle, users should:
- Read through the information presented on the welcoming page. It will help users focus on the purpose of the site and perhaps help create a sense of quiet.
- After clicking "begin", a screen offers a chance for quiet reflection. In the hands-on world, this is the time spent sharing lights at church, or just digging around for a lighter at home. People need to be able to focus on the reason for lighting a candle.
- After clicking "continue", the next screen advises users to choose an unlit candle. The next screen will show many candles, some unlit, some tall, some short. The candle placement does not matter; choose any candle. The placement of the chosen candle may not be the same on the next visit to the site.
- Before lighting the candle, the site wisely suggests another moment of reflection.
- The final step in lighting the candle has some options, some of which matter to groups lighting a community candle.
- In this step, users can identify themselves by initials (to find an individual's candle) or a group (to find a community's candle). There is also a section to write a message of about 100 characters. This message appears when someone clicks on the canclle.
- Do not worry about signing the message; there is a section for name and location on the next screen.
- Finally, the next screen asks for a location (the site lists the most involved countries), a name (a nickname or screenname is fine), and instructs users on how to light the candle. (simply click on the wick and the flame appears.)
Sharing a Lit Candle
After lighting the candle, users can email the link of the candle to themselves or others. The message associated with the candle is not automatically sent; that must be copied into the email. The candles will only burn for 48 hours, and they do shrink over time. It is possible to open a mini-candle to keep on the computer screen. When people come to the site, they can search for the candle by initials.
For those seeking the calming moment that comes from the flickering of a candle, Gratefulness.org may be a quick, simple, anywhere-anytime solution.
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