Grieving the loss of light

Experiencing an acute grief is like looking directly at the sunset

Grieving can feel as intense as staring at the sun.

The sunset can be both beautiful and sad. Its beauty can tempt me to look, as if to capture every vibrant detail before light disappears into the horizon. Being with the sunset reminds me of time, how limited it is, and impermanence. Before I can catch every moment of its beauty, it’s gone.

When I am grieving, the sunset makes me feel very sad. Something about its energy, and colors, is powerful. Looking directly at it can blind me; like too much grief at once can also be excruciatingly painful.

No matter how beautiful the sunset is, I have to constantly remind myself to close my eyes or look away. Just let its energy penetrate through my soul. Grieving is also like this; it needs pacing and time. Tomorrow, there will be grief still. But for today, I need to have it rest in my heart, just like the sunset.

[originally posted in 2 Jan 2022]