Ever since I can remember, the one thing in life which always gets me to make a double take is a sunset.  Fortunately for me I live on a spot which I can truly say boasts of one of the best sunsets ever. Well, at least it boasts of a sunset every day of life.  Whenever I’d come home on an afternoon after work, I’d call out to my boys – “You’re missing out” and without fail they would run outside to see what they were missing out on.  Always it was simply the sheer beauty of the end of another day.

And each day it was different.  A huge sun ball in the sky, the brightly lit sky in its varying shades of orange.  The white lights behind the dark clouds, the changing colours after the sun has sunk behind the horizon.  And the favourite sight of all – the green flash as the sun disappears into the ocean.  Well that’s a rarity and may just depend on the amount of wine sipped at the end of the day.

As they grew older, the scampering feet would diminish, as they knew what they were missing out on, and no longer thought it a treat.  Still I would saunter down to the end of my property and take in the view.  Marveling at the beauty of nature, the security in knowing that the sunset would always be there and the serenity, peace and calm that it brings.

As they grew older still, my boys now share in the moment with me.  And that is truly the best time of day.  Stationed in a time of silent discussion, surrounded by a beauty that only nature can create, knowing that tomorrow we can do it all over again. Same view, same sense of calm, same sunset.

Most of us would agree that getting up late on a morning is one of life’s greatest pleasures. You feel as if the world is at your beck and call. You own the day, everything and everyone  is just waiting on you to decide what to do.  Well I’m not so sure. I don’t usually suffer with FOMO (fear of missing out) but when one early morning you jump in your car and make a journey that you’ve made for over two years at varying times of the day and you suddenly feel as if you’re making this journey for the first time, you can’t help but feel as if you’ve missed out on so much for so long.

There’s a great sense of peace emanating from the earth almost as if it’s waking up from its own slumber. You are the only person around and you feel as if you own the moment.  The silence is calming and reassuring almost as if preparing you for something great. The rising mist slowly unveils a world you’ve seen so many times before but somehow, the newness of the day gives it a promise that makes you want it to last forever.  You know it won’t but still you beg it to stay.

The silly grin on your face only disappears when another car honks at you to move on.  But it soon returns because you’ve just witnessed what could be the best time of day. The start, the promise, the adventure.

Do yourself a favour. Wake up early, go outside, open your eyes, your mind, your heart. Embrace the moment and let the beauty in.