I’ve collected lots of photos in the six weeks here in Manzanita. Opportunities are endless. And because I have so many, it’s important to go through them to eliminate duplicates and to evaluate subject matter, quality of the photos, etc. Doing that the other day, I confirmed that I am a sucker for sunsets and birds, lots of shots of both, and that in all the photos, no matter what the subject matter is, it’s the light that does it. Common things become extraordinary. Routine becomes royal. And a sunset becomes a sacred moment. All because of light. The spiritual corollary is stunning. The Christmas child, now a man, told people, “I am the light..” That life comes when we “live in the light…” That those who follow his way are “children of the light.” The light of the Bethlehem star. The healing, soothing, comforting light of Presence.
It’s the light! You’ve heard someone say, in a moment of confusion turned to understanding: “Ah, the light just came on in my mind.” Clarity, awareness, understanding, consciousness. It’s the light. And the best news of all is that when I flip that switch, when I choose to live in the light, it never goes out. Never goes away. Never disappears. Light is stronger than darkness, stronger than fear or illness or death.
Sorry, didn’t mean to start a sermon here, but this is so urgently true. By the way, while sunsets are beautiful because of light’s presence, get up early some morning and become part of a sunrise. Light overcomes darkness. May it be so for you today and in all the days ahead.
Shining Spirit 
I will take your advice and experience a sunrise so that I may say, “it dawn on me.”