“If not for the sunset, we’d never see the stars.”

This is my first piece in a collaboration with photographer Helen Montoya. When I looked at this picture, I was reminded of the beauty of the sunset. Metaphorically, when the sun “sets” on certain aspects of our lives, it doesn’t seem very beautiful and can be quite challenging. I like to believe that all of the sunsets in our lives allow us to see a new kind of beauty that is only possible against the dark shades of night. I find that embracing this reality rather than fearing it, aids my mind and heart when facing troubling or challenging times, so that instead of being consumed by darkness, I focus my eyes instead on lights.