The sun rises every morning without fail. It’s essential for our existence as human beings, yet we are oftentimes indifferent to its reliability.

This photo (above) was taken on a recent early morning walk I did, and one of many hundreds of thousands of photos of sunsets that have been taken since cameras were invented. 

As I reflected on the reliability of the sun to rise each morning, I decided to write a poem about it.

Day after day after day after day it appears;

No person can prevent it,

No event can frustrate it.

Fearlessly, boldly, confidently, it pushes up through the horizon

And bursts into the sky. 

Not interested in being welcomed

Or waiting for prior approval  

Not dependant on any particular kind of reception

It’s unapologetically itself.

Each day heralds new news, some better than others

Some days it’s brightly seen, some days it’s more obscured 

But reliably and surely, it’s always on its course

From east to west, dawn to dusk, every single day.

And each new day, day after day after day it appears

Certainly. Relentlessly. Resolutely.  

TRY THIS …

Spend some time now reflecting on the reliability of the sun to rise each morning. Think about that incredible regularity - how amazing it is, yet how predictable it also is. Is there anything else that restarts like each day quite like this? Ponder this wonderful fact and ask yourself:

• How does it make you think and feel?

• When is its reliability most profound?

• When is its reliability is most valued?

• What hope exists for us in its reliability?

Consider what ‘response’ you want to make to your reflections. You might want to write, draw something. Maybe you could discuss what you think with someone else?

This reflection and original poem is written by Ben Harper. You can carry on the conversation with Ben on Twitter @wellbeingteach.