Tracking the sun in 2022

IN 2017, I made history for taking photos of the 366 sunsets of the year, and publishing them all, day after day, sunset after sunset on Instagram: @petersolisnery 

365 days in a year, yes.

But in one of those days, I took the sunset in Tokyo.

And when I arrived in America, there was another sunset in New Jersey.

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This year, I’ll try to make history by tracking all the sunrises and sunsets of 2022.

In the worst case scenario, I may drop sunsets in favor of sunrises.

Here’s why:

In 2017, my biggest difficulty was getting out of my afternoon and early evening appointments to get a sunset photo.

Imagine me in an afternoon movie at the cinema, or at a play matinee in a theatre.

I set an alarm, rush outside to get my sunset photo, and rush back in the venue hoping I didn’t miss much.

Not very good, right?

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That’s my problem. 

Not even the rain, or the snow, or strong wind, or any other sort of inclement weather.

So, some of the 2017 sunsets were just darkened sky, no glorious red and orange and purple clouds.

But what can you do when it is dark and raining?

It doesn’t mean there was no sunset for that day.

Because fact is: the sun always sets (as the sun always rises).

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What’s my basis for sunsets (and sunrises) during the “no visible” sun days?

The weather report, of course.

They publish the sunrise and sunset times, don’t they?

So I go by that.

As a completist, my year is 365 days, or 366 days on a leap year.

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I know that people are conditioned by glorious clouds and sky colors to call a sunrise or sunset a proper sunrise, and a proper sunset.

That’s pretty.

But that’s pretty wrong for me.

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As a sun tracker, and as a philosopher, I have long realized that life is not always beautiful.

That there are stormy days.

Dark times, dark days.

Tracking the sun tells me this.

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When the skies are colorful and glorious, I am grateful to God for the beauty that God shares with me.

When the sunsets or sunrises are dark, plain, and gloomy, I am more supplicant; praying to God for better days.

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I am most reflective and prayerful when I am looking at the sunrise or the sunset.

Another day is dawning, a blessing.

Another day is ending, a blessing.

And always a prayer for a better, more glorious tomorrow.

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Because I pay attention to nature, because I pay attention to my camera lens, I see so many beautiful things in the world.

And often, these beauties compensate for all the sadness and misery and suffering that I see.

Watching the sun takes me away from self-pity and depression.

***

I always feel hopeful when I pay attention to sunsets and sunrises.

How can you not feel Hope when you understand that “enough for the day is the evil thereof”?

How can you be in despair when you know that “the sun will come out tomorrow”?

I’m an optimist this way.

And so far, I’ve been served good by my fascination of the sun.

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Tracking the sunrises and sunsets strengthen my will and confidence.

Because I know that not many people do what I do, I persist.

The sun gives me a reason to get up in the morning, and the reason to be excited for the rest of the day.

I’m always excited for what God will reveal to me everyday.

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For better or worse, social media affirms my commitment to track sunrises and sunsets.

When you have Instagram followers looking forward to your sunrise and sunset photos, you feel responsible (answerable?) to them.

You don’t want to disappoint.

And I love this sense of social media accountability.

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Would I feel terrible if I miss a sunrise?

Why? Am I under contract to give people all the sunrises in the world?

Would I feel bad if I miss to post a sunset photo?

Why? Am I being paid to point out to you the beauty of this world?

***

But watch what I can do with my iPhone, my travels, my eye for composition, my willpower, my social media accountability, my 2022!

For sunrises, sunsets, and more, follow me on Instagram: @petersolisnery/PN