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Michael Fox CPCC,
founder of m�agine!,
is a professional
coach and trainer,
author and creative artist, whose work has been featured throughout
the world.
Michael is a
Certified Practitioner
of the
Myers-Briggs
Type Indicator.�
Do you know someone
who might benefit
from our weekly email?
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Many long years ago--in fact, a great deal longer than that--there was a small village in the countryside of a distant land. Within the small village, on a narrow street shared by a seamstress, a shoe cobbler, and other craftspersons of fine reputation, there was a kindly old woman known for the quality candles she fashioned from molten wax. She was a large, gray-headed woman with a worn apron about her girth and a pair of spectacles resting upon her nose. Her small shop was a labyrinth of oak timbers and candles of many colors and scents.
Late one evening the old woman was finishing the day's work at her bench, easing a new candle from its mold. The sun was setting beyond the hills outside of the village. She mumbled something about the fading daylight and reached a match to a curious candle she affectionately referred to as "Wisdom." Wisdom was older than the candlemaker herself. The candlemaker was told that her grandmother had crafted Wisdom many long years ago--in fact, a great deal longer than that. Wisdom was a large, awkward candle, actually a composite of generations of wax remnants of many different colors. If you looked at Wisdom with one eye narrowed and your imagination wide open, you might make out the features of a genteel face.
The old candlemaker set the new candle aside on the bench, midst a cluster of similar candles in the shadow of Wisdom. She glanced at the clock and quietly sighed as she looked about; pleased by her day's labor, the old woman folded her apron and laid it on the bench, and locked up the shop for the evening.
Late that night, when the candles were confident the shop was empty, they began to stir. They all took long, deep breaths, and exhaled; as they blew the breath from within, their wicks burst into flame. The young candles talked excitedly among themselves, proud of their young, brilliant fire. After a few minutes, Wisdom awoke from his slumber and spoke (with a voice that was deep and measured), "Tonight you delight in your flame burning bright; but when your flame is reduced to an ember, what noble deed done in your light will we remember? "
Most of the of candles dismissed the prophetic words of Wisdom, but the admonition disturbed the new candle, "What if Wisdom is true? What's to become of me, 'ere my light fades? " His flame flickered and, with a sigh of despair, he fell asleep.
The next morning, the old candlemaker carefully packed the new candle into a box with a number of other votives. She placed a label on the box, addressing the package to the kingdom's great cathedral.
Some time later--in fact, a great deal longer than that--sadness fell upon the land. The beloved old king had died and the nation prepared to bid him farewell. The day before the funeral, devoted custodians of the cathedral prepared the venerable old building. They swept the floors; they polished the pews; they shined the glass. And one old gentleman slowly carried his ladder from one sconce to the next, replacing the spent votives with fresh candles from the village candlemaker. The old man opened another new box of candles. There nested within the box, carefully wrapped in tissue, was the young candle. He awoke from his uneasy slumber, still distraught over the words of Wisdom, unaware of the death of the king.
The next day, the day of the king's funeral, the young candle, his flame bright and tall, watched with curiosity from his perch on the wall as the cathedral filled with all manner of men and women, many of whom were silently weeping. "What's the occasion of this solemn assembly?," the candle wandered. Just then, the majestic strains of the ancient pipe organ filled the hall. The candle watched as the heavy wooden doors of the cathedral were opened. A regal procession somberly, formally, made its way to the altar of the cathedral.
Then the candle started as a half dozen royal guard walked through the doors, two by two, their arms locked together and bearing a simple wooden coffin. Upon the coffin was a small purple pillow; upon the pillow was the crown of the king. The candle shuddered. The king, the kindly monarch, was dead. For a moment, and just for a moment, the king's coffin reminded the young candle of his own mortality and of the words of Wisdom. But, just as suddenly, the candle's thoughts of melancholy were swept away, as he realized that his life--his portion--though brief, was to be exhausted for the glory of the king! His wax chest thrust forth; his countenance was filled with pride; his flame burned brightly with determination.
The young candle's flame was exhausted that day, but without regret. For he understood the words of Wisdom, satisfied that his service to the king would be remembered for some time--in fact, a great deal longer than that.
What might your enduring legacy look like?
How might the knowledge of your enduring legacy calm any fear of mortality?
John's gospel testifies of Jesus: "In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness could not extinguish it" (John1:4-5). |
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Michael Fox
m�agine!
530/613.2774
P.O. Box 9144
Auburn, CA, USA 95604
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In addition to personal and professional coaching,
m�agine! specializes in spiritual transformation coaching,
employing its proprietary models
--Values, Vision, Voice and Heart, Soul, Mind & Strength--
as well as
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator� curriculum
published by CPP, the People Development People.
Michael's books include
Complete in Christ,
Complete in Christ Spiritual Transformation Workbook,
and Biblio�files.
Coaching fees are based upon a sliding scale. Contact us for details.
Limited scholarships are available for spiritual transformation coaching.
On the flip side, if you are able, please inquire about opportunities
to fund scholarships for those who cannot afford coaching fees.
View our archives!
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