Sunrise & Sunset: the pause for gratitude
Any day I can fully witness the sunrise or the sunset feels like the most magical day. And on some extra special days, I can actually see both and this is truly a blessing. I’m a big fan of sunrises and sunsets as these times of day represent transitions. The break in the darkness as the sun rises. The cool of the evening as the sunsets. We need both, the yin and the yang.
Every day, no matter the weather or where we are, the sun rises and sets. We get to see a huge ball of glowing gases that is 94 million miles away. Is that not the most humbling thing? Our one little planet moves in such a way that we can see the sun and depending on our location we can see it in a way that is so inspiring we might be moved to tears. Watching the sunrise or sunset reminds me how small I am, how I am but a vapor of time. The joys and successes, the sorrows and failures, seeing the sun rise and set brings me back to a deeper level of knowing that I’m guided, supported and cared for, even in the vastness of eternity. Knowing that other souls are seeing the same sun, through their own unique experience connects me to the fullness of humanity. Someone is watching the sun set as it rises for me. Their day is ending while mine is beginning. Despite the miles between us we are looking at the same bright object in the sky. We can use this opportunity to cultivate gratitude.
Some of the most inspiring sunrises and sunsets of my life have been in the following locations (in no particular order):
OBX, NC
Gili Trawangan, Indonesia
Ko Phi Phi, Thailand
Glacier National Park, MT
Grand Teton National Park, WY
Deltaville, VA
Granada, Spain
Punta Banco, Costa Rica
Key West, FL
And yes, Baltimore, MD
What makes each of these special is the location of course, but also who I was with. In some cases, it was just me. An early walk on the beach to meditate before the day gets going. Taking a few moments during a party to step outside on the deck to have a moment to myself. Other times it was a fabulous meal with Rob in a different country. Other times I was with friends, Camden or at live music event in a place I loved or a place totally new to me. Often there is laugher, sometimes there are tears. And it’s both that make the soul’s experience on earth so beautiful.
During times of transition, the two sacred times of day, we have opportunity to pause, to reflect. Perhaps we set an intention at the start of the day or maybe we release the expectations at the end of the day, letting what is done be done. As we celebrate the sun rising and setting we can come back to a feeling of being at home in our bodies. As the earth moves around the sun, so does the breath move in our bodies. When we pause during these transitional times of day, when we notice the incredible gift of the rising and setting of the sun, a deep sense of calm can wash over us. And in this space, the pause, there is gratitude. And it’s gratitude that connects us to the deepest parts of ourself, to the collective and the Divine.
Journal prompts:
What’s your favorite place for sunrise or sunset. Who were you with (if anyone)? How did you feel in your body?
The next time you observe sunrise or sunset breath deeply and call to mind 3 things that you’re grateful for