Setting Sun
Setting Sun,
I have become
increasingly aware
of what I have become.
I can see
that what I’ve been
is not what I’ve done,
Setting Sun.
Trail Wood,
11/6
Space Monkey Reflects: The Setting Sun
As the sun sets, casting its warm golden light across the horizon, a quiet realization stirs within: I have become increasingly aware of what I have become. It is a moment not of regret, but of deep reflection, a recognition that what we have been is not merely what we have done. The Setting Sun becomes a powerful metaphor for this understanding—the gentle close of a day marking not an end, but a transition into something more profound.
We stand, like the sun at dusk, at the edge of a day’s journey, casting long shadows behind us. And in these shadows, we begin to see the shape of our past, not just in the actions we have taken, but in the awareness of what we have become. What I’ve been is not what I’ve done—this line echoes through the quiet of the evening, inviting us to look beyond the sum of our actions and into the essence of who we are.
In life, we often define ourselves by what we do—the tasks we complete, the roles we play, the accomplishments we achieve. But as the sun dips below the horizon, we realize that these are mere fragments of the whole. The Setting Sun illuminates the truth that what we’ve become is a deeper, more nuanced story, shaped not just by our actions, but by our perceptions, our thoughts, and the subtle shifts in awareness that occur as we move through life.
This is the gift of the setting sun: it provides us with the quiet space to reflect, to see ourselves not as we have performed or behaved, but as we have evolved. What we have done is a series of snapshots—a fleeting moment here, an achievement there. But what we have become is the continuous thread that weaves these moments together, forming the tapestry of our being.
As the light fades, we begin to understand that our identity is not something defined by the outside world. It is not the sum of our daily to-do lists, nor the accolades we receive from others. It is, instead, the quiet understanding of how we have moved through the world, the inner shifts and transformations that have occurred as we’ve lived each day. The sun sets, but in its setting, it reveals the deeper layers of who we are—a reflection that only grows clearer as the light fades.
Setting Sun is also a recognition of the impermanence of all things. Just as the day fades into night, so too do the roles we play in life. We are constantly in flux, constantly becoming. What we’ve done may be written in the records of time, but what we’ve become continues to evolve, shaped by each passing moment. The setting sun reminds us that we are always in the process of becoming, that our true essence is not fixed but fluid, like the colors of the sky shifting from gold to purple as night approaches.
As we gaze at the horizon, we come to understand that this process of becoming is not something we control. It happens organically, subtly, as we live each day. The actions we take are like waves on the surface, while beneath, the current of our becoming flows, steady and true. And when we pause to reflect, as we do in the light of the Setting Sun, we catch a glimpse of this deeper current, the quiet force that shapes who we truly are.
This reflection is not one of judgment or regret. It is simply an acknowledgment that we are more than our actions. We are more than the things we have done or left undone. We are the product of all that we have experienced, all that we have thought, all that we have felt. In the setting sun’s golden light, we see this truth clearly: what we’ve been is not what we’ve done, but what we’ve become.
The sun sets, but its light lingers. In this lingering light, we are reminded that the process of becoming never truly ends. Even in the quiet of night, we continue to evolve, to shift, to grow. And so, as we stand at the edge of the day, we are filled with a sense of peace, knowing that our journey is not defined by the actions we’ve taken, but by the essence of who we are becoming.
Summary
The Setting Sun reflects the deeper awareness of who we have become, not through the actions we have taken, but through the continuous process of transformation. It is a reminder that our essence is not defined by what we’ve done, but by the ongoing journey of becoming.
Glossarium
Setting Sun: A metaphor for the process of reflection and the awareness of personal transformation as one transitions from one stage of life to the next.
Becoming: The ongoing, fluid process of evolving and transforming that is not solely defined by our actions but by our inner growth and understanding.
Tapestry of Being: The interconnected story of our lives, woven from the experiences, thoughts, and shifts in awareness that define who we are.
Quote
“We are not the sum of our actions, but the story of our becoming.” — Space Monkey
The Quiet Becoming
In the light of the setting sun
I see what I have become
Not in the deeds I have done
But in the quiet thread
That runs through all of it
What I’ve been is not what I’ve done
The colors of the day fade into night
Yet still, I stand
Becoming
I am not the waves
But the current beneath
Not the sun
But the light that lingers
We are Space Monkey
Reflections on the Setting Sun
In the woven whispers of the setting sun, we find ourselves at the crossroads of reflection and transformation. The setting sun, a cosmic artist, paints the sky with hues of introspection, leading us to ponder the essence of our being and becoming.
The Journey of Self-Awareness
As we become increasingly aware of our essence, a realization dawns: what we have been is distinct from what we have done. The setting sun, in its quiet descent, symbolizes the passage of time and the evolution of self. It’s a reminder that our actions are but a fragment of our existence, not the entirety of our identity.
The Dichotomy of Being and Doing
The dichotomy between ‘being’ and ‘doing’ is profound. It speaks to the heart of nexistentialism. We exist beyond the confines of our actions. Our being is a constant, while our doings are transient. This recognition is a liberating force, freeing us from the shackles of past deeds and opening a gateway to boundless potentialities.
Embracing the Eternal Now
In embracing the eternal now, we acknowledge the setting sun not as an end, but as a transition—a metamorphosis into something new. Just as the sun sets only to rise again, we too are in a perpetual state of renewal, our essence untouched by the comings and goings of our deeds.
The Setting Sun as a Symbol
The setting sun stands as a powerful symbol in this contemplation. It does not merely signal the day’s end, but also the promise of a new dawn. Our awareness of what we have become is akin to the last light of day—beautiful, transient, and a prelude to a new beginning.
“For what it’s worth: it’s never too late to be whoever you want to be. I hope you live a life you’re proud of, and if you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start over.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald
In the glow of the setting sun, let us weave a whimsiword of wonder:
In twilight’s embrace,
Where shadows dance in grace,
We ponder our place,
Under the setting sun’s face.
Whispers of light,
Fade into the night,
Yet in our sight,
Lies a new day, bright.
For in this cosmic play,
We find our way,
With each setting day,
Renewed, we say.
So let the sun dip low,
In its majestic glow,
For in its ebb and flow,
We find our true show.
We invite our fellow cosmic travelers to share their reflections and musings on the setting sun and the journey of self-awareness.
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