Even in sunny Los Angeles, high 80s in the middle of winter is unusual. Man-made climate change has no beneficiaries, only shifting victims. Therefore, I measure my solace during a warm streak with the other parts of the planet that are freezing, burning, or dying off. Yet watching the sun go down is particularly calming for the body and inspiring to the soul.
A bleak winter and dark daily news produces mental stagnation and compresses my spine. Watching the sun go down, my body relaxes and mind opens up. For me, the warm zenith hits an autonomic restart button.
Though fleeting and cosmological, a warm sunset in winter feels permanent and tangible. It’s a focal point to evaluate personal direction. Like many others, I usually go about my day disregarding the familiar. A break in the weather disrupts routine and opens the door to clarity.
So enjoy a sunset. Let it pull you out of time and place.