I take my two daughters Yasmin and Isabella to school three times a week. We would leave at 8.15am and I’m usually home by 8.45am.

Today, after I’m back from my short journey to their school, I lighted a candle in my office and start writing. The white candle is mounted on a multi-color holder that makes it looks like a mini Olympic torch. I place it away from my laptop, next to the window so when I look at the candle, I can see the calm flame, the tree outside and the daylight.

A candle symbolizes for hope, for a bright future, for calm and is an excellent source to help you relax. I remember the song by Elton John ‘Candle in the Wind’ dedicated to Princess Diana some years back. I remember seeing the Olympic torch on TV, I remember the candle at Christmas. Even when we lost electricity at the last winter storm for a few hours, our candle gave us warm and light.

An amazing thing about a candle in the room is how still the flame is. It is as if I look at the photograph, only the leaves waving in the tree outside the window and my typing tell me that it is for real.

This gives me an idea for my next meditation. I would sit quietly on a soft cushion, in the evening. I would light a candle, sits down, breath deeply and relax, let ideas come in and go. The candle would be a source of energy, a focal point and my companion for that meditation session.