I knew the sunrises at that little beach near Saint Augustine, Florida, would be worth waking up for. All seven mornings, I planned to tiptoe out before dawn, coffee in hand, and catch that moment when the sun lifts its fiery head above the horizon. There’s something powerful about greeting each day with intention and awe.

What I hadn’t counted on was the moonrise. On our first night, a glowing orb drifted up over the ocean like a giant Chinese lantern. I abandoned my unpacking and simply stood on the porch, mesmerized by its slow but visible climb. Each evening, it waited longer and longer to reveal itself, and eventually, I chose sleep over spectacle. But those first few nights? Pure magic.

One morning, I crept out even earlier, far too early for the sun, and found the sky inky dark. There, reflected on the water, was another light: Venus, our neighboring planet, shining brilliantly as the morning star.

In that stillness, before the world stirred, a love for life welled up inside me as I stared at its unwavering glow above, mirrored by a rippling shadow below.

I love light. I love how the rising sun, moon, or morning star can kindle a spark of wonder in your heart. Each appearance reminded me of how much joy waits just outside our plans: tiny miracles we didn’t know to expect.

Real happiness doesn’t only come in the moments we schedule. It’s also there in the surprises that catch us off guard, the unplanned wonders that leave us breathless. The deepest joy often lives between routines, in the quiet spaces where light sneaks up on us.

What wonders might unfold if you let unexpected light into your life, instead of confining yourself to assumed limits?