Sunset

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Many people like to appreciate the sunrise as well as the sunset hours. I do too and have made photos of it whenever I could.

I shot this one while sailing in the Amsterdam canals, at the beginning of spring. We had a long winter and a sunny day like that, couldn’t have closed better without this relaxing and magic view.

Yesterday I read the quotation below from the late psychologist Carl Rogers, who adds more insights to the sunset appreciation.

In his time, psychoanalysis was prominent and he opposed to what he called a cold and detached form of therapy. In his approach, instead, he applied more empathy and emotional authenticity.

“One of the most satisfying feelings I know — and also one of the most growth-promoting experiences for the other person — comes from my appreciating this individual in the same way that I appreciate a sunset.  People are just as wonderful as sunsets if I can let them be.  In fact, perhaps the reason we can truly appreciate a sunset is that we cannot control it.  When I look at a sunset as I did the other evening, I don’t find myself saying, ‘Soften the orange a little on the right hand corner, and put a bit more purple along the base, and use a little more pink in the cloud color.’  I don’t do that.  I don’t try to control a sunset.  I watch it with awe as it unfolds.  I like myself best when I can appreciate my staff member, my son, my daughter, my grandchildren, in this same way.”

— Carl Rogers

Sunsets remind me of the light and dark moments of our life, which are unquestionably an essential part of our evolution and renewal. We struggle sometimes though, with accepting the set backs, as if they were unnatural to our existence. We also struggle to accept our failures and of others.

‘Let them be’, says Roger. I remind that to myself every single day.

What do you think?

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Sharing sights & insights captured with diverse angles. Ex-corporate, now my own boss. Cycling, hiking, cooking, reading, yoga, writing and photography, are no longer only hobbies listed on my resume. It's what I do when I want.

32 thoughts on “Sunset”

  1. I love the line: people are just as wonderful as sunsets. But in my experience…few are. You are! Did I tell you I like your new(ish) title…sights and insights…excellent.

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    1. Hi Badfish, good morning and thanks for your kind words that made me smile from here to Abu Dhabi.
      And if there are only a few wonderful ones, you are surely one of them.
      I changed the name a while ago as I got tired of the old one. Thanks.
      How’re you and where have you been?
      Cheers!

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  2. I totally love this quote Lucile, it is a different way of thinking. I’ve never thought of comparing people to sunsets before! Thanks for making me see sunsets and people in a different light.

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  4. What a wonderfully accepting way to look at the world, Lucile. I was at the home of a girlfriend last night and it’s rather nice to picture her in that way, as we chatted about life. Not so easy with people we don’t like, but I shall try it. 🙂 🙂

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    1. It’s an equally wonderful and difficult way, indeed, Jo.
      It’s a daily exercise of acceptance, particularly of those we may not appreciate.
      Sometimes it pays off to try to erase our perceptions of those people. Brings peace of mind.

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  5. Isn’t that such a wonderful thing: “I watch it with awe as it unfolds.” We should all do that. No judgment, no control. Just sit back and watch in awe. I love this, Lucile.

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    1. You’re so right. Nature has a lot to teach to those who can stop and observe it.
      I for one am fascinated with the hibernation process. Plants and animals enduring extreme weathers and returning renewed.
      We, humans, struggle with our ‘extreme circumstances’ and mostly judge it unnatural to the course of life, instead of accepting, retreating and coming back recharged.
      Thanks for your insights.

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  10. A beautiful sunset indeed, Lucile! Now that we are back at the delta on weekends, we get an array of amazing sunsets. Funny, though, some have a similar quality, so I take them for granted once in a while (especially if it is really windy and cold)!

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  11. Pingback: Project 313 – Post No. 032 | Disperser Tracks

  13. Stunning picture!
    I love the point of ‘letting it be’. It’s hard, but so true. Was trying to write about that before but not sure how well I succeeded.
    Happy blogging!

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