May Every Sunrise…

“May every sunrise bring you hope. May every sunset bring you peace” [author unknown].

I came across this quote as I was scrolling Instagram this week. I always screenshot quotes and sayings to be able to use them later for inspiration. I especially loved this one, as I ADORE sunrise. We live in the country, surrounded by rolling fields and endless skies. This picture was taken at our pond (lake?). I love the feeling of a new day and all it holds.

One of my favorite quotes comes to mind when I think about new beginnings. “Tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it... yet” (L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables). When things are going horribly wrong, or I’m feeling like I need to refocus, I am reminded of this. Not that we should give up on today, but that things will get better with time and a refocus. Psalm 30:5 says “weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning”. In Psalm 16:7, it says “even at night my heart instructs me”. This gives me that same feeling of hope and peace. Not that things get better just because of a new day, but that we can begin again with a fresh mind.

I was taught several years ago about a Japanese saying “ShoShin”, or having a ‘beginner’s mind’ involving having an attitude of openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions for people and ideas. To me this means that we can take the feeling of sunrise and a new day to a new level. We can begin again at any point. Having the picture in my mind of a sunrise helps me to carry on that hope and peace all day long.

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Journal Prompts

1. Are you a sunrise or sunset person? When are you at your best? For work? For rest? Decide how knowing this can help you prioritize your schedule and habits.

2. How do you ‘begin again’? What are some tools you use or could use when you are overwhelmed and need a fresh start?