I saw a quote once that was something like, “Everything that happens, happens precisely right now, and only happens to me.” I can’t remember the line or where it’s from! But the point is that everyone’s experiences are unique.
This summer I went to the beach with two friends. It was late afternoon and we’re on the east coast so the sun is setting behind us. It was a really deserted stretch of beach on an island that wasn’t crowded to begin with. There was a stiff wind and we were drinking beers, and the wind kept making ghostly noises when it blew across the mouth of the beer bottles.
I kept noticing how the sun setting behind you on the beach created these really unique colors. The sand was this deep bronzed gold, and the sea foam when it caught the sunlight was bright saffron yellow. The sea foam in the shadows was periwinkle and the water itself was mossy green.
My friends probably noticed different things about the same beach. One of them was swimming far out in the water for the first time during the vacation, just getting churned around by the waves and grinning. The other one kept noticing this little bird that was running around just ahead of the water. We were all there, but each had a unique experience.