There’s a place in Baja, on the Sea of Cortez side, about 100 miles south of San Felipe called Gonzaga Bay. You can drive there pretty easily (by Baja standards) nowadays. But, 30 years ago, it was quite an adventure to get there. Your reward for all that off road adventure (other than the journey itself)? An off-the-grid community of small “houses” on a beautiful bay with whatever supplies you were able to bring with you.

Beyond the stark beauty of the bay, the warm water, fresh ocean breezes, and perfect cocktail conditions, the thing I remember most was the darkness. The stars were so close you could almost touch them. On a moonless night, you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face.

But, light one candle and the scene changed. The light from that one candle would penetrate the darkness. The terrain glowed in the light. Bushes and rocks cast shadows in the night. The darkness was no match for the light from just one candle.

Darkness is all around us. That darkness may even come from within. We can choose to let the darkness consume us and everything we do.

Or, we can be the candle.