Paytan Douglas

Sunsets are beautiful. Watching them is often the third date to a fresh summer romance, or the perfect way to end your day, or the cringy line you read on someone’s dating bio once. Or twice.

But sunsets are beautiful.

Sunsets vary from day to day. One night it’s blues dying with purples to create a second sea in the sky. Other nights it’s pinks and reds tying with oranges to create an environment where your mind thinks not of the hardships you face in your day-to-day life, but an environment consisting of peace. Your mind can think of nothing else but the sunset before you as you drive home, or stroll down the beach, or walk from that diner down the street to your apartment.

But the real treasure lies within a sunrise.

It’s the only thing more beautiful than a sunset. Sunrises fill your heart as well as your mind. When you stay up too late worrying frantically about your upcoming test or presentation or appointment or friend or lover for an entire night, a sunrise is the only thing that can wash your worries down the drain.

A sunrise is the only thing that can make the pit in your stomach evaporate within three seconds. A sunrise is a smile sent from Gods across the entire universe because let’s face it—even Gods need their sunrises.

Sunrises and sunsets are the only thing guaranteed in life, next to death. However, the sun rising is far better than the sun setting. When the sun rises to greet you, you know the beginning is nigh, not the end. It symbolizes peace and tranquility, leaving you with hours of light and warmth. Sunsets bring darkness and cold winds that make the scrappy trees brush against your windowsill.

One thing is certain—after death and next to the sun rising and setting—

You need to watch both to fully appreciate their individuality.