Experiencing a Sunset: A Daily Inspiration

What is it about a sunset? How is it that this ordinary daily event inspires artists, musicians, and writers throughout the world?   

If the photo app on our phone is any indication, there surely is something about a sunset. Sitting on a beach together, gazing over the mountains, or simply sitting on our home deck after dinner, sunsets always seem to transport the two of us to a sacred place.  

Wonder and Awe

Karen: We just returned from a vacation with our extended family. Scott and I had the opportunity to watch the sunset with most of our children and grandchildren. After a day filled with action-packed activities, sunset brought us to a quiet place. Many evenings we gazed in awed silence and whispered conversation as the sun seemingly disappeared into the ocean. It was magical for the children, and, truth be told, just as magical for us. Stunning hues of blues, yellows and oranges quieted us. Cloud formations that changed the scene night after night filled each of us with wonder and awe. It was indeed sacred time. By far, though, our most moving sunsets were just the two of us. We sat in silence, holding hands, intimately in quiet communion with each other, nature, and our God. A shared experience of transcendence.

Scott: I cannot tell you how many sunsets Karen and I have experienced together. And I use the word experienced intentionally. For me, a sunset is not something I just passively watch.  It is something I truly experience.  Yes, it is the beauty of the colors and the changing light.  But for me it is also the gratitude of another day spent with people I love.  When I experience a sunset, my mind always goes to the joyful place that is my relationship with Karen. I celebrate that we have been blessed with yet another day together. It just seems to wrap up our day with a beautiful ribbon of color. And I bask in my feelings of gratitude for Karen and our life together.

More Than Just Watching

The two of us find that each sunset takes us back to prior sunsets we have experienced together. Time stops as a sense of sacredness envelops us. It is like we feel the sunset with our hearts, minds, our souls, and even our bodies. We breathe in the peace and hopefully breathe it out as well.

And it isn’t just us. A quick internet search reveals that science confirms the benefits of watching the sun rise and/or set. It reduces stress and anxiety, improves mood, and helps us be present in the moment. What is Sunset Therapy? The benefits of watching the sun rise and set. It improves our mental health, enhances positive behavior and elicits positive emotions. Here’s why watching beautiful sunrises, sunsets actually improves your health.

The good news is that you do not have to go on an expensive vacation to experience a sunset together. It is as close as your own backyard… or a clearing down the street. And it can truly set the tone for the rest of your evening.

We invite you to take a moment this evening and experience the richness of the sunset together.