When I was on a large ship for a week, I was mesmerized by the vast difference between the brightness of the day and the darkness of the night. Each was intense.

Of course, I wasn’t surprised. We often use the phrase “as different as night and day.” Interestingly, some cultures use a similar phrase, “as different as chalk and cheese.” For some reason, comparing chalk and cheese makes me laugh. While day and night are at least in the same cycle, chalk and cheese are in two very different aisles of the convenience store! As a cheese lover, no chalk will be on my snack plate, and I won’t waste a crumble of cheese for artwork.

But back to day and night on the ship…

When the sun shines over the expanse of the ocean, it’s brilliant. The reflection of light seems to continually bounce off nearly every surface, yet it’s not blinding. It’s revealing and ever changing with anything moving, which water does, constantly. Then the sun sets, and the darkness wraps around nearly everything. It doesn’t change as much as light, but it is still revealing in a very focused way. Stars are more visible in the darkness. Because they are light. Light is still the source by which we see. It simply shows up more in the darkness because of the context. We don’t detect motion as well in the darkness, but light shines through and orients us if we’re attentive.

If you’re in a brilliant season, appreciate it. Take in everything you can. Attend to the motion and movement of your journey. If you’re in a dark season, refuse to be swallowed by it just because you’re surrounded by it. Let your eyes—and your heart—adjust, then open them both and focus on the light piercing through. There’s something for you to know and appreciate. There’s context by which to move.

And the next time you hold either chalk or cheese in your hand, in the day or in the night, appreciate how vast differences equip us in everyday life.

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