We may not exist without fire. Not only did fire protect humans from predators, it allowed us to colonise colder climates, leading to the global dispersal of our species that we see today.

Fire is also lethal and tremendously disruptive to nature and our built habitations and constructions. It can destroy and disfigure and, where circumstances prevail, it can spread with little ability for us to take control of it.

We can see this fire in people too. We can see that the elements that allow them to create, to perform incredible acts and to deliver tremendous results can be the same characteristics that make them difficult to talk to or be with; it can make them depressed and destructive.

We should be conscious of our own fires – what elements within us do we use to justify things that we do that we shouldn’t, things that are not acceptable, or behaviours that we are not proud of?

Just as we handle fire with care and control to prevent the type of devastation that such a powerful phenomenon can wreak, we should approach ourselves the same way to protect ourselves and those around us from suffering. We should not expect those around us to suffer the burns of our uncontrolled inferno, excusing ourselves with it being the byproduct of our genius or talent.

For humanity to thrive we have had to learn to control the fire whilst keeping it alive. For us to thrive we need to do the same.