Your Mind Fully Present: Connected by the Moon

I often find myself looking up at the moon, and to be perfectly honest, I sometimes even talk to the moon.

The moon serves many purposes in my life. Sometimes it grounds me in the present moment, but it can also carry me away to faraway places.

More often than not, it carries my thoughts to the people I love.

I think about my children, more than 2,400 miles away. It makes me feel closer to them knowing that if they stepped outside and looked up, they would see the very same moon shining above them. We would be looking at the very same moon.

My thoughts often travel even farther.

To friends and family in different countries, different time zones, different lives, yet all beneath the same moon.

This thought brings me comfort and joy.

My thoughts sometimes drift further still.

Have you ever thought that somewhere across the world, maybe even in a small village unknown to you or me, another person may be looking up at the very same moon? We will most likely never meet, yet for a moment we share the same view, the same wonder, and the same moon.

There is something beautiful about that.

Sometimes my thoughts and heart travel even farther.

I find myself wondering about my parents and loved ones who are no longer here. I wonder if they can see the same moon too.

I do not know the answer, but I like to believe they can. And somehow that thought helps me feel even more connected to them as well.

Sometimes I stand under the full moon and talk to my parents, or pray, asking for signs and guidance on the path ahead. And to be honest, I usually get signs. Am I looking for the signs? Are they really signs? I am not sure, but I get comfort in believing they are.

A few months ago, I was in awe as astronauts shared photographs of Earth from space. Seeing our planet from that perspective felt both humbling and beautiful.

From space, we do not see neighborhoods, cities, or even countries. We see one beautiful blue planet.

Maybe that is another reason I find connection in the moon.

It reminds me that despite the miles between us, we are all sharing this journey together. We are connected in many ways, but the moon can remind us of this each night if we remember to look up.

My dad introduced me to two songs I still love, Moon River and Fly Me to the Moon. Maybe that is one reason I still think of him whenever I look at the moon, especially when I am standing at the beach. My parents loved the beach too.

The moon is also connected to the rhythms of nature. Its gravitational pull influences the ocean tides, creating a steady pattern of ebb and flow.

Watching the ocean reminds me that life has its own rhythms as well.

There are times for moving forward.

There are times for resting, reflecting, and renewing.

There are times when emotions rise to the surface, sometimes crashing down, asking for our attention.

Last month I wrote about how the words we say and hear matter. Our emotions matter too.

Like the ocean tides, our emotions ebb and flow. Some days feel calm and steady. Other days, the waves feel a little bigger.

I love the idea that the full moon is a time to shine a light on what is ready to be seen, what may need healing, what is ready to be released, or perhaps even the path forward. The new moon is often associated with new beginnings and planting seeds for what we hope to create in our lives.

Whether you view that symbolically, spiritually, or simply as an invitation to pause and reflect, I find there is something beautiful about these reminders. It helps me live more intentionally.

With so many distractions in day-to-day life, the moon can remind me to pause, become aware, and reconnect with my intentions.

Maybe mindfulness and energy work are about honoring our own natural rhythms.

Noticing what we are feeling.

Becoming aware.

Gently releasing what no longer serves us.

Or maybe it is not always about releasing and letting go. Sometimes it is about making peace with what has been and meeting our grief, fears, mistakes, and challenges with greater compassion, understanding, and acceptance.

And then making room for what we hope to grow.

The next time you see the moon, pause for a moment.

Think about someone you love.

Take a breath.

Look up.

And remember that no matter where we are, we are all connected by the same moon.

June Reflection: A Mid-Year Pause

June 14 brings a new moon, June 29 a full moon, and June 21 the summer solstice, the longest day of the year and the official beginning of summer, when the light shines the longest.

It also marks the halfway point of the year.

This can be a beautiful time to pause and reflect:

• What has gone well over the past six months?

• What lessons have I learned?

• What am I ready to release?

• What would I like to cultivate during the months ahead?

• What seeds do I want to plant for the second half of the year?

Just as the moon moves through its phases and the seasons continue to change, we are always growing, learning, and evolving. Like the moon's pull on the ocean tides, there is an ebb and flow to our days.

Remember, some days are bigger than others. Some days we accomplish more, and some days we accomplish less. Yet each day contributes to the overall picture of the life we are creating.

Take a moment to celebrate how far you have come and consider where you would like to go next.