Sometimes, a vacation can reveal aspects of life that daily routines often obscure. On a recent beach trip, my family and I were naturally tuned into the rhythm of the day, following the journey of the sun. We made a special effort to wake early to witness the very first glimpse of the sun peeking over the horizon, a great orange orb illuminating the vast sky. We frolicked under the midday sun, cooling off in the water and shade. And in the evening we looked to the west, witnessing the sun setting and again casting dramatic illuminations across the clouds and sky, appreciating what the day had offered. As we enjoyed this rhythm, I considered how that’s not something we often make time for in the routine of daily life. Yet, it is still happening. Every single day. The sun’s daily rhythms can prompt a more balanced and meaningful existence. Here are a few lessons from this rhythm that I considered during my beachside reflections:
SUNRISE
Begin Again
The sunrise signifies a fresh start, a reset. I recently spoke with someone having a difficult night and reminded them that the sun will rise, bringing a new day. This has been something I’ve had to remind myself of many times in the midst of difficult darkness, that there will be a new day and an opportunity to begin again. The sun reliably exemplifies this early each morning as Earth turns, revealing this distant star that provides light and life for each of us on this planet.
Make Room for Awe
There’s such beauty and tranquility in watching a sunrise. A slowing down and observing of the subtle shifts in light and the myriad colors as the dark skies brighten. The very act of watching a sunrise is an intentional practice, setting a positive tone for the day. It’s not just another day, it’s this day. Making space for awe and wonder as the day begins reminds us of the vastness of existence and our connection to something greater than ourselves. Each day offers us an opportunity for awe if we look for it.
Pause
Slowing and waiting is not always easy in our demanding lives, but often that’s just what we need to do. We need to cease doing and allow moments of being. And awaiting the sunrise pays off as we witness the gradual illumination of the horizon. Slowing and pausing allows the nervous system to calm and create an internal sense of spaciousness, just as the rising sun opens up the sky with light. What a lovely foundation for a new day.
DAYTIME
Recognize Peak Energy
As the early morning progresses into day, there tends to be more energy and activity, but we each have different times of day in which our energy peaks. Watching the beach visitors, I thought of this. The morning people, energized upon arrival and settling down to relax as the day progressed. The midday people, having relaxed throughout the morning but coming to life as the sun was right above. And the afternoon people, stirring after the sun peaked. There’s no right or wrong about it, but it’s good to observe and learn our own peak energy times and organize our days accordingly.
Take Breaks
Being underneath the daytime sun also offers a reminder of the importance of taking breaks. As I enjoyed time on the beach I took in the wide array of umbrellas and canopies and how they shifted positions throughout the day, offering shade and respite. It’s easy to do that beachside, to take breaks even during peak energy times. But it can be harder in day-to-day life as we may think breaks are a waste of time. Breaks from the sun on the beach maximize our capacity to enjoy a beach day, protecting us from harmful rays and heat. But breaks in regular days also help us, protecting us from burnout and stress and truly helping us focus and think better.
SUNSET
Wind Down
A sunset provides us with a visual representation of bringing the day to a close, a time of slowing after a busy day of doing. As we slow to observe the setting sun, we directly participate in the closing of the day. Shifting from doing into a slowing space supports our capacity for rest and rejuvenation.
Take Time to Reflect
As the golden and red hues permeate the environment with the setting sun, it offers a contemplative space for reflection. Perhaps considering the day and it’s inevitable ups and downs or maybe contemplating how it fits in the larger picture of life. As I participated in this ritual with my family on our recent trip, I found myself filled with gratitude for the experiences of the day as well as for having shared it with such dear loved ones. It offered an opportunity to process, or digest, the day and to have a sense of an allowing presence for it to end. An illumination of the beauty in endings as well as in beginnings.
As we navigate our busy lives, it’s easy to lose touch with the natural rhythms that surround us. Yet, as this beach trip reminded me, the sun’s daily journey offers us a constant, gentle guide for living more mindfully and purposefully.
From the hopeful beginnings of sunrise to the reflective moments of sunset, each phase of the sun’s cycle invites us to tune into our own natural rhythms. It encourages us to start anew each day, to recognize and honor our energy peaks, to take necessary breaks, and to wind down with gratitude and reflection.
By aligning ourselves more closely with these solar rhythms, we open ourselves to a more balanced, meaningful existence. We create space for awe, for pause, for productivity, and for contemplation. In doing so, we not only enhance our daily experiences but also deepen our connection to the vast, beautiful world around us.