Western Vitality

This morning, I’m writing to you from my cozy living room couch, watching the sunrise. As I sat here journaling in silence, soaking in the beauty of the rising sun, a thought crossed my mind. (I know, this might sound super cliché and like something you’d never realistically experience, but that’s exactly why I’m here—to bring the realness back to it.)

Anyway, back on track. I love getting up early. It’s one of my favorite things in life, and almost every morning, I get to watch the sunrise from my living room window. But today’s sunrise felt a little more powerful than usual.

The sunrise has this deeper meaning behind it. It symbolizes rebirth, growth, and all the beauty that comes with it. It starts with the first soft hints of blue and purple, then slowly fades into yellow, orange, pink, and red as the sun rises over the mountains.

The blues and purples? They represent the hard stuff—trials, hardship, sadness, anger, regret, shame, guilt. It’s tough, messy, and raw. Then, the first warmth shows up, little by little, until you get a full spectrum of beautiful colors, signaling the sun’s about to make its grand entrance. When the sun finally peeks over the mountains, you feel its warmth spreading through the cold morning. That’s the good after the hard times. Maybe you’re still carrying pain deep inside, but then you smile at a kid laughing in the park. Or a friend cracks a joke and you manage to laugh a little (which, by the way, is the best medicine). Maybe you finally finish that big project you’ve been pouring hours into.

These tiny, seemingly small moments build up until you’ve got a full, vibrant array of colors. And if you focus on them long enough, your sun will rise, warming not just your heart but the hearts of everyone around you.

May we all develop souls full of light, warmth, and strength. But let’s remember, that kind of beauty only comes after facing the hard stuff head-on.

In an interview, Angelina Jolie was once asked, “What advice would you give someone going through a tough time?”

Her answer? “Go right through it. Like, right through it. Feel it, be in it. Don’t avoid it. Be completely in it. Feel everything. Then get out the other end.”