I’ve always loved sunsets, how the sun changes hues from lightly sparkling yellow to deeply molten red, the light slowly giving way to the darkness all the while, and strange romantic thoughts suddenly striking the mind, seemingly from nowhere. Whenever I really sit down and look at a sunset, I feel a strange contradiction of emotions — a deep sense of wellbeing washing up with the last of the fading beams, yet on the other hand, a sense of missing potential as though life was meant for something more than what I’ve yet lived.
Whenever I watch the sun slowly descend upon the world, I’m always struck by a strange and timeless notion that the world is still full of possibility. I feel a connection to the grand, elusive scheme intertwining all of humankind, and am struck by something indefinable, that though I cannot define, still compels me to want to do better with my life than what I have done so far. Those of you who know me know that I love to quote my favorite authors. This one is one of my absolute favorites from Henry David Thoreau. “When we are unhurried and wise we perceive that only great and worthy things have any absolute and permanent existence, that petty fears and petty pleasures are but the shadow of reality.”
Perception is such an odd thing. Most of my days, I perceive very little beyond the duties of the day and the simple pleasures found within each one. But then, every so often, when I genuinely stop to gaze at a sunset, or walk a moonlit path, suddenly I perceive something more, something grand and compelling that seems to fill up the night. And once that happens, once I perceive something truly great and wonderful, I am compelled to do better with my life. I cannot simply live resigned to simple pleasures and routines. It’s so odd to me that I can be manipulated by such whimsical forces. But I’m glad for the fact, glad that every now and again, something can break me free from the normal day to day and give me a glimpse of those welcomed romantic thoughts I often push away from my mind.
I’m sure that I’m not the only one who experiences this strange romantic phenomenon. And this is not the phenomenon of regret, where being alone causes a person to think about all the mistakes they’ve made, and the things they’ve lost that can never be gotten back. This is something different, something hopeful and full of potential. For those of you who aren’t in a place where you get to see beautiful sunsets, here’s an awesome romantic poem from Thomas Moore about a sunset:
“How dear to me the hour when daylight dies
And sunbeams melt along the silent sea.
For then sweet dreams of other days arise
And memory breathes her vesper sigh to me
And as I watch the line of light that plays
Along the smooth wave toward the burning west
I long to tread that golden path of rays
And think, twould lead to some bright isle of rest.”
7 Comments
Ben, so glad you are back! It is wonderful that sunsets and walks along moonlit paths inspire these thoughts within you. I like your distinction between knowing there is more to do in your life that is worthy and great–not that the sunsets stir up regrets. May all your days be filled with possibility! Jodi
ben,
great to see you are back! these moments surround us every day…wether in a sunset or a lonely path…or maybe something as simple as watching the world going on arround us. we are usually too busy to enjoy them. walking around with my eyes open today, hoping to catch a glimpse.
hoping you and yours are having a great holiday season.
b
Thank you guys so much for still being there for me even though I haven’t been around for a couple of months. It’s inexpressibly awesome. I hope you both have been very well, and I’m greatly looking forward to being able to go through the archives of what I’ve missed in your work!
I echo the sentiments :), welcome back!
And such a beautiful way to now approach sunsets - as a beginning rather than an ending. Have you done much sunrise watching? That’ll do you in with your thoughts and ponderings
so amazing.
Oh to break free from the mundane and experience something so wonderful as Moore described…soon :).
Very soon
Yeah there’s just something really romantic and mystical about the rising and the setting of the sun. I love to be awake for the sunrise, but rarely get to see it, since I’m almost never on a level plane with the sun to see it.
Sunsets make me sad. I feel a sense of urgency, a wanting to milk every last warm drop before she leaves. It’s like saying goodbye to a close friend, letting go of a moment that will never be again. Sunrises, on the other hand, give me euphoria- new and full of promise, a brand new day with everything clearly in front of me. However, both are beautiful, and I am grateful to have seen so many.
That’s really interesting. I actually feel the exact opposite. In the morning, when the sun is rising, I feel an urgency to be about my day, to start my work and get a lot accomplished. During sunset, when the day is winding down, I feel reflective about the day and about life in general. That’s so funny that the sun strikes us in such a diverse manner
Thanks for coming back! I was hoping you would.