Had an English teacher who said his Mama always woke him early in the mornings with "Get out of that bed before the sun warps your butt!" Those of us who lived in the days of buying records for our players understood that phrase if we had ever left them in the car too long during the summer. I have enjoyed many sunsets that were so awesome they left me speechless. The last half of my life I can say the same of sunrises. "O God, How Great Thou Art!"
I remember many, many years ago I was (for my sins) visiting New York City, and the highlight of that trip to that noisy, dirty town was when I went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art for a special showing of a series of Monet paintings. They were collected on loan from around the world and they all showed the same view, the Seine River at sunrise. Monet painted the different canvasses (I think there were about 21 of them) at different moments in the morning, and it took him a couple of weeks to complete the entire series. It was a forerunner of motion picture films, and each painting was a different time-lapse "frame" of increasing light and dissipating mist over the river.
I could walk from one painting to the next and visualize the sun coming up on that rural French river. It was so mesmerizing that I had to walk it several times to repeat the experience. As I walked from one painting to the next, the sun's light increased, the river lost its morning mist, the water became more clear, from the first touch of light to a mid-morning place I could recognize as a river in the countryside.
Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow isn't guaranteed. Today is really all we have. Use it wisely. Embrace joy. Practice kindness. Help someone in need. Hug someone you love. Do it all over again tomorrow, if you see that sunrise. This is the only life you have where you can make a difference. Please, please make that difference a positive one.
The older I get, the fewer sunrises I am awake to appreciate. But that doesn't make them any less special. And this has reminded me that it might be better to go to bed a little earlier so I can be awake to watch God unveil the new day. Might be... hmmmmm.
It doesn't snow often in S. GA. It's a momentous occasion when it does, fraught with tension among the adults over whether the weight of it will bring down tree limbs on an electric line and I'll be without electricity for 3 days when it's below freezing. But last winter, we got a nice 2-day snow, just enough to make mornings absolutely spectacular. The early morning light as the sun rose, slanting across the pristine white carpet, created sparkles. The world looked like cake frosting - with glitter. And the shadows were blue. And just for an instant, disappearing so fast I wasn't sure I saw it, as the sun topped the treeline, it turned to gold. Magical.
Dr Eric Berg (YouTube) says there’s much benefit from watching the sunrise (has to be out of doors). And same for the sunset. He explains the infrared rays present then can help us produce melatonin.
Most of us equate melatonin with the sleep benefits. Dr Berg says it benefits our brain and eye heath. Those that suffer from migraines and acid reflux can also benefit from increased levels of melatonin.
Who isn’t awed by spectacular sunrises and sunsets. It’s like God wants us to look because it’s good for us.
Genesis 1:31 ~ God saw all that he had made, and behold, it was very good.
Thanks, Matt. Canada Geese fly in V's. I don't recall seeing ducks do that. Hate to point out an error in Sean's beautiful work. Yeah, honk if you love Harold.
I read about the V formation. The geese are able to take advantage of the draft from the from the leader which is replaced when it gets tired. Nascar driver take advantage of the draft.
The sun's light is a testament to God's creation, but the light of the Son is a testament to God's salvation.
As we enjoy the warmth and brightness of the sun, let us never forget to seek the true Light, Jesus Christ, who alone can illuminate our souls and lead us into everlasting life. Amen🙏
Had an English teacher who said his Mama always woke him early in the mornings with "Get out of that bed before the sun warps your butt!" Those of us who lived in the days of buying records for our players understood that phrase if we had ever left them in the car too long during the summer. I have enjoyed many sunsets that were so awesome they left me speechless. The last half of my life I can say the same of sunrises. "O God, How Great Thou Art!"
Last line….INDEED & grateful!!!!
I think the older I get, the more I appreciate those sunrises. ☀️
Your words reminded me a little of Nina Simone's song Feeling Good...."It's a new dawn, it's a new day, and I'm feeling good."
Each day is a new opportunity.
"It's a great day to be alive, the sun's still shinin' when I close my eyes...."
I remember many, many years ago I was (for my sins) visiting New York City, and the highlight of that trip to that noisy, dirty town was when I went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art for a special showing of a series of Monet paintings. They were collected on loan from around the world and they all showed the same view, the Seine River at sunrise. Monet painted the different canvasses (I think there were about 21 of them) at different moments in the morning, and it took him a couple of weeks to complete the entire series. It was a forerunner of motion picture films, and each painting was a different time-lapse "frame" of increasing light and dissipating mist over the river.
I could walk from one painting to the next and visualize the sun coming up on that rural French river. It was so mesmerizing that I had to walk it several times to repeat the experience. As I walked from one painting to the next, the sun's light increased, the river lost its morning mist, the water became more clear, from the first touch of light to a mid-morning place I could recognize as a river in the countryside.
Sean just brought that memory back to me in full.
Oh, how lovely.
What a wonderful experience!
Glad he stirred that memory….I loved every painting second! Will look for Monet’s sunrise!
Thanks for sharing that. You make beautiful word pictures.
That was wonderful! I walked it with you and enjoyed every step! Thank you for sharing!
Thank God there are some things man CAN’T change!
Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow isn't guaranteed. Today is really all we have. Use it wisely. Embrace joy. Practice kindness. Help someone in need. Hug someone you love. Do it all over again tomorrow, if you see that sunrise. This is the only life you have where you can make a difference. Please, please make that difference a positive one.
Well said with your lovely outlook.
The older I get, the fewer sunrises I am awake to appreciate. But that doesn't make them any less special. And this has reminded me that it might be better to go to bed a little earlier so I can be awake to watch God unveil the new day. Might be... hmmmmm.
Come on Ernie, You need to get up and wake those sleeping roosters. They say the early bird gets the worm. I don't care for worms.
Agree Matt. I’m grateful when I get to see a dawn. (Or just see daylight.) I’ll let you know if I get to the worms before the roosters do. 😉
Then you aren't a Gulf box turtle lol
This is the day the Lord has made… let us rejoice and be glad in it!
It doesn't snow often in S. GA. It's a momentous occasion when it does, fraught with tension among the adults over whether the weight of it will bring down tree limbs on an electric line and I'll be without electricity for 3 days when it's below freezing. But last winter, we got a nice 2-day snow, just enough to make mornings absolutely spectacular. The early morning light as the sun rose, slanting across the pristine white carpet, created sparkles. The world looked like cake frosting - with glitter. And the shadows were blue. And just for an instant, disappearing so fast I wasn't sure I saw it, as the sun topped the treeline, it turned to gold. Magical.
How refreshing!
Thank you, Sean, for words that made me stop, take a deep breath, and reframe this last day of a pressure cooker week filled with deadlines.
Sunrise for the win 💛
Dr Eric Berg (YouTube) says there’s much benefit from watching the sunrise (has to be out of doors). And same for the sunset. He explains the infrared rays present then can help us produce melatonin.
Most of us equate melatonin with the sleep benefits. Dr Berg says it benefits our brain and eye heath. Those that suffer from migraines and acid reflux can also benefit from increased levels of melatonin.
Who isn’t awed by spectacular sunrises and sunsets. It’s like God wants us to look because it’s good for us.
Genesis 1:31 ~ God saw all that he had made, and behold, it was very good.
Interesting! Thank you
I’m going to follow Harold. ❤️
I see and hear the Canadian Geese. Herald is the drill sergeant trying to keep those teenagers in line. Honk eh!
Harold’s patience is heralded near and far! ❤️ 😅
Thanks, Matt. Canada Geese fly in V's. I don't recall seeing ducks do that. Hate to point out an error in Sean's beautiful work. Yeah, honk if you love Harold.
I read about the V formation. The geese are able to take advantage of the draft from the from the leader which is replaced when it gets tired. Nascar driver take advantage of the draft.
What a lovely way to start my day- with appreciation, awe, and gratitude. thank you, Sean!
This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
I thought about that scripture, too, as I read this story!
What a wonderful way to start my day, reading you, Sean.
The sun's light is a testament to God's creation, but the light of the Son is a testament to God's salvation.
As we enjoy the warmth and brightness of the sun, let us never forget to seek the true Light, Jesus Christ, who alone can illuminate our souls and lead us into everlasting life. Amen🙏
I’m a huge fan of the sunrise and my second favorite is sunsets!
Like both as well but in reverse order…might be due to the sensitivity of my blue eyes.