I have always been a sunset person. Sunrises are cheery and optimistic and all, but the colors, tones, and meaning of sunsets have always resonated more deeply with me. Here is a quick story about the most amazing one I have seen to date.

A few weeks ago my boyfriend and I travelled to the Outerbanks in North Carolina. Although I didn’t see John B (yea that show is a guilty pleasure) I was absolutely amazed by the wonderful barrier islands I am lucky enough to live about 2.5 hours from!

There were quaint towns like Manteo with shopping, art galleries, wineries, and the historic Roanoke Island Festival Park – which is a bit eerie when you really dig into how our American forefathers and mothers lived.

There was also the Wright Brothers National Memorial, a site we didn’t get to see first hand, but really struck my Perpetual Beta core. I mean c’mon, the two young brothers owned a bicycle shop, then taught themselves engineering to understand and develop in-air flight. They hypothesized, tested, failed, tried again, and eventually taught our world how to fly!

However, what blew me away, literally and figuratively, was Jockey’s Ridge State Park. On top of the 60 or so foot dunes there is a 360 degree view of the Ocean and inter-coastal; it was there that we witnessed a sunset that I will remember for the rest of my life.

It was absolutely stunning. Just watching the fleeting sun hide behind these living dunes! By the way, they are 4,000 years old, & are the largest on the Atlantic Coast! You could feel their vibrations and how adored they are by locals and tourists alike. In fact, in the 1970s when a portion of the dunes were slated to be flattened a local, Carolista Baum, planted herself in front of the bulldozer to stop the operation.

I love the bravery of Carolista. All I can guess is that the countless sunsets she experienced on the dunes inspired her moment. The wonderful part of sunsets to me is the opportunity of reflection that they provide. They help me slow down, remember the good, and know that although change can be scary, there is beauty in the process.

So what about you? Sunrise or Sunset? Tell me why in the comments below 😉