Friday Musings—Full moons

What's new with me

Last Sunday, I went for an evening walk and noticed the full moon. It was so bright and clear that I had to stop and take it in for a moment. Later, I found myself wondering why it had caught my attention so strongly and decided to look up whether full moons carry any particular meaning. I discovered they’re often seen as a time of release—a moment to reflect on what’s no longer serving us and let it go, making space for what’s next.

This full moon felt particularly meaningful, as it’s the last one of the year. Inspired by this, I’ve been using the past few days to tune in and journal about the things I want to let go of—thoughts, habits, and emotional reactions that I don’t want to carry into the new year. It’s been a way to make space for the things I want to invite into 2025.

I invite you to take some time to do the same—what are the things you’re ready to let go of before the year ends? Share in the comments if you'd like.

Fragility, resilience, and dignity

A few days ago, I came across an article about Zoë, a 22-year-old woman in the Netherlands who sought euthanasia to end her suffering. On the day it was scheduled, she made the extraordinary decision to cancel the procedure and continue living. The story stayed with me, and when I brought it up with a Dutch student of mine, it sparked a meaningful conversation about human fragility and resilience. We discussed the tension between the right to individual freedom and the role of governments in matters as personal as life and death, and what it means to live a dignified life.

While I don’t pretend to have answers, Zoë’s story is a reminder of how complex and layered the human experience is, and how essential it is to honor the struggles of others with compassion, rather than judgment.

More art, more health

A recent study found that engaging with the arts—whether it’s visiting a museum, going to a concert, or watching a play—can have a big impact on our well-being and quality of life, even when done on an occasional basis. Activities like these have been shown to support cognitive development, reduce stress, ease depression, and even help with pain and dependance on medication.

This reminds me that I have to renew my annual museum pass! And consuming culture or taking part in creative pursuits could be a good resolution for the new year, don't you think?

Quote of the week ✍️ 

"You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have."  (Maya Angelou)

As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Which musing resonated with you the most? Are there any topics you’d like me to explore in future newsletters? Have suggestions or insights to share? Let me know in the comments or send me an email. And if you think someone else might enjoy this, don’t forget to share it with them!

Enjoy your weekend and TTYS

ML