by Vickie Austin
To live in Arizona is to witness the glory of its breathtaking sunsets. There’s nothing quite as awe-inspiring as the colors of the mountains as the sun goes down, changing from green to purple as the sky lights up in orange and red. Sometimes it’s all pink and blue, like a baby’s nursery.
Depending on the particulates in the air, the combination of clouds and sky may look like a munitions factory that’s on fire. Artists, poets and photographers try to capture a sunset’s beauty, but the impact is most potent in real life.
Shedding the day
Sunset rituals can be a powerful way to let go of all that happened during the day and transition into the evening. There’s something soothing in rituals. They keep us moored, often moving from rituals to traditions. Here are a few:
- The bar is open. Depending on your drink preferences and allowing for mocktails and other options for nondrinkers, have your bar cart stocked with the proper accoutrements. Ice bucket, tongs and lemons for twists and zest. The appropriate glass for the right wine or cocktail. Those little napkins with sayings like “It’s five o’clock somewhere.” Mix and serve. Toast to the day that was, and the night that will be.
- The lights are on. Invest in a string of lights that comes on as the sun sets. Light up the tiki torches or start a fire in that center fireplace outside your back door. Sometimes it’s best to watch the sky darken, avoiding any light that would compete with the stars.
- Silence, music or debrief. Depending on your mood, you may opt for some silence before processing the day aloud. Some deep breathing and a view of the setting sun can help unwind those muscles that have been taking you through the day. Add some music. If you’re ready, and you have a willing audience, you can do a quick debrief of the day, focusing on the wins and leaving the “what could I have done better?” to tomorrow. Now is the time for quiet and connection delivered in whichever order you choose.
The thing about rituals is that they soothe us, so creating them is up to us. For some folks, they want to pass up the evening cocktail for a run while there’s still light, admiring the sunset along the path. Others may want a trip to the gym or a chat with a neighbor, those intentional activities that keep us grounded and can reinforce our social network.
Where you celebrate the setting sun makes a difference, too. If you have a view from your home or deck, that’s ideal. If you don’t, a trip to your favorite mountain lookout might be in order. Find a place and enjoy the view.
