Don't Strike The Match!
An Inquiry into the Fear of Attainment.
What? No, of course I have matches!
Do you think I’d go and buy all these candles and not buy matches? What must you think of me!
No, my dear friend, I am protesting!
All of these wicks are crying out, “Oh, please, light me! Let me do what I was made to do! One cannot simply live in the dark!”
But, alas, one can!
Better yet, one can both live in the dark and do so willingly!
Tell me, when was the last time you sat alone: the room filled with nothing but dark silence?
Thoughts upon thoughts upon thoughts!
You see, it is a rarity, if one even does it at all!
Our first reaction upon entering a dark room is to erratically pat the walls, hoping we will soon find the switch to flick and blast our eyes with eagerly sought light!
But, my dear friend, what does one do once the light fills the room?
They cover their eyes! Scared to look! They retreat!
Yes, it is a strange notion, is it not?
One will pursue the light above all else, then hide from it once found!
One might say that this is yet another woe of the human condition: to seek and be scared once that which is sought is found.
One might pursue the love of another, and then quiver and squirm during every interaction with their beloved!
One might seek the money handed to them from another, only to grow resentful of how little they own in comparison!
One might seek to be good, and turn one’s nose up at those who do not acclaim them as such!
And all the while, they will return to their pursuit.
Love will be hated, discarded, and resought.
Money will be spent through gritted teeth, and the next morning, we will sit down at our desks.
The good deeds will be turned towards those who are yet to harm, and we shall hope that this time we are acknowledged.
How strange we might be.
And so, my dear friend, if you can find a seat and join me in this darkness!
I wish for you to join me!
See, for I could at once strike this match and see your face - I could see everything!
And how my mind wishes for it!
And yet, I will remain cloaked in shadows!
A showing of defiance!
What my mind wants is still a choice that I must make, and I refuse to be swayed!
I shall move in my time, towards what I want, when I want it.
You may rightfully view this as selfish, and who am I to fall into an argument!
But let me ask you: If I were to light this candle here because I feel the need to do so, would I appreciate its light more than when it is lit because I want to see?
Come, take a seat, and you’ll understand how wants and needs are but choices to be made, but only when we feel ready.
With love, as always
Aaron.
Let me know what you think of this piece!
This is such a compelling metaphor.
The image of refusing to strike the match — not because you don’t have one, but because you’re choosing not to — says a lot about agency. You’re not afraid of light. You’re interrogating timing. That’s different.
What really stood out to me was the tension between wanting something and shrinking from it once it’s within reach. That feels deeply human. We chase clarity, love, recognition — and then hesitate when it demands exposure.
I’m curious — do you see the darkness here as protection, preparation, or quiet resistance against pressure to “arrive” too quickly?
Really appreciate how you shaped this, especially, “One might say that this is yet another woe of the human condition: to seek and be scared once that which is sought is found.” That what we seek is often not what we think it is, an invitation into being with, rather than projecting what we think we want.