Occasionally, usually around notable dates, I ask our team if I can step into the Eagle’s Perspective schedule. This is one of those weeks.
Many of you know that I enjoy traditions, especially those that create meaningful memories and connect generations. One of my favourites is watching the sunrise on the Summer Solstice.
For many years, my children and I would head to the beach before dawn, armed with coffee, hot chocolate, and muffins, to watch the sun rise over the water. None of us particularly enjoyed the 4:30 a.m. alarm clock, but all of us treasure those mornings. Today, my children are adults with families of their own, and they’re creating Summer Solstice traditions for the next generation.
At Eaglecom, we are committed to helping our community reach people with messages that matter. To do that well, we continually study people, including their behaviours, values, media habits, and motivations. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of watching generations change. For those of us who communicate important messages, we must be willing to understand those changes and embrace new ways of connecting with people.
That thought came to mind when I learned that my daughter, son-in-law, and their two daughters (ages 10 and 7) celebrated the Summer Solstice very differently from how we did. Instead of driving to a beach, they hiked up a mountain for three hours, camped overnight, and woke before dawn to watch the sunrise from above the clouds.
They took my safe, sea-level tradition to entirely new heights.
The photo below was taken from Bear Mountain in British Columbia last weekend.
As I looked at that picture, I was reminded of something else: people are naturally drawn to light. There is something captivating about a sunrise. It signals a new day, fresh possibilities, and renewed hope. Sunshine lifts our spirits, changes our mood, and draws us outside. In many ways, light is a message carrier.
It’s no wonder that Jesus is called the Light of the World. He carries the most powerful and life-changing message ever given and we have the privilege of helping share that light with others.
As summer unfolds and the days remain bright, I’ll be reminded of two things: that every generation finds its own creative and courageous ways to engage and create memories, and that people of every age are still drawn to the light.
And for those of us entrusted with communicating messages that matter, that’s a hopeful place to begin.
