Issue 94 - Moonlit

Welcome to Issue 94 of Deep Life Reflections and a Happy New Year to all readers.

I’m writing this week’s shorter edition from the Lake District in England, where I’ve been spending Christmas and the holidays with family. A few days ago, I came across a beautiful painting by John Atkinson Grimshaw, an English Victorian-era artist best known for his evocative nocturnal scenes. I chose this painting, titled A Moonlit Stroll, as this week’s cover image.

The painting depicts a solitary figure seemingly pondering life under the piercing glow of the moon, framed by nature and the edges of a village. The silence speaks through the painting. The presence of both nature and the urban environment symbolises the balancing act we often face in pursuing our goals. It’s a moment of transition and possibility.

The moonlight reminds me of how often we step into a new year—this is my fiftieth time stepping into one myself. It struck me we are now closer to the year 2050 than 2000. The path ahead may not always be clear, but with intention and trust, the light we follow can illuminate the way forward, creating meaning in the spaces between the certainty and the unknown.

This morning, I read a New Year’s reflection by philosopher Sam Harris, who shared his intention to try to live this year as though it were his last—not morbidly, but with an acute awareness and appreciation of life’s finiteness. He wanted to put this recognition at the very centre of his thoughts as often as possible. As he put it:

“The question, ‘Would I do this if I knew I only had a year to live?’ is quite clarifying of one’s priorities. I can pay attention. I can cease to be preoccupied with things that don’t really matter. I can let my hopes and fears vanish—I can notice they are always in the act of vanishing. And I can increasingly enjoy life as it is in the present.”

As we begin the new year, here are five questions I’m reflecting on. Perhaps they will guide your thoughts too:

1. What path do you want to walk in 2025, and how will you stay intentional?

2. What ‘light’ will guide your decisions and actions in the year ahead?

3. What possibilities lie ahead if you trust the process of moving forward?

4. How can you best use your innate strengths and talents to grow and create new opportunities?

5. Where can you develop more compassion and service to others?

Wishing you clarity, growth, and fulfilment on your journey in 2025.

Keep reflecting.

James

Thanks for reading and being part of the Deep Life Journey community. If you have any reflections on this issue, please leave a comment. Have a great weekend.

James

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