Sunrise – Sunset

Last week I was visiting with some lifelong friends, and we were watching the sunset along the shore in Oceanside. All along the beach people were coming outside to watch the show. One of my friends, with a glint of the fading sun in his eye, stated, “Why do we all do this? It happens everyday!”

I don’t think the question needs answering and Derrick probably meant it rhetorically anyway. And yet, I have thought about it ever since. The sun rises and sets every single day, no matter where you are. Every. Single. Day. This consistently simple and completely intangible phenomenon is both ordinary and extraordinary. It has the power to stop millions of people, create wonder and settle emotions, and remind us of how beautiful life is when we stop to look.

When I was younger, I decided that one of my favorite times of the day is twilight. It is much easier for this non-morning person to reflect than at sunrise, although I have seen a few spectacular sunrises in my lifetime too. There was something about the setting sun and residual stillness that my young self could not define but that I found invitational. It seems that looking at sunsets comes with moments of reflection, and an opportunity to infuse those spaces with wonder and peace.  A sunset is just before twilight, and everything seems to be quieting down for the night.

The science behind a sunset says that the sky is full of vibrant colors that are not readily detected when the sun is high in the sky.  It seems that the middle of the day the light scatters the blue and violet particles in the atmosphere more than other colors. This is why it is easier for us to see the blueness of the sky during the day. Then the sunset starts to set and the light from the sun passes through more of the Earth’s atmosphere and when the sun is lower other colors (red, yellow and orange) become more visible as they are scattered.

The human psyche says that sunsets have many positive psychological effects and physical benefits. A sunset can change a mood and relieve stress. As the light fades away so do the cares and worries of the day. Sunsets create calmness, peaceful feelings, and grow happiness. Nature has a way of fueling and centering the soul. Additionally, sunsets are a natural way of getting fresh air and refreshing us as we enjoy their calming, beautiful, and life-changing moments.

A sunset’s warm colors hold the power to stop just about anyone in their tracks. It is hard not to give undivided attention to the painting that is magically being created right in front of our very eyes. A sunset captivates us by the awe-inspiring colors of the sky, and I find that I am truly lost in the moment as it slows down time. In a way, watching the sun set is a form of meditation and prayer. I will always be marveled at the mere fact that we will never experience the same sunset twice; each and every sunset is incredibly special in its own unique way. Sunsets seem to renew my gratitude for God and the beauty He created. When Emily was little, as we were watching the sun set one night in AZ, she exclaimed, “Look at how God is painting the sky!” I love Him in the evening because He took me through the day and offered me a good night hug in the form of a colorful sky.

PS My first response wanted to say, ” Don’t you love seeing your family every day? Don’t you appreciate the consistency of WIFI?” The daily phenomenon of a sunset is noticing the ordinary and being grateful for the privilege!