Happy This ONE Friday!

As 2025 begins, many people feel the "new year energy" and a desire to start fresh. But it’s worth considering that the concept of a new year is entirely human-made. To a spacecraft that orbits Earth 16 times a day crossing all time zones, a new day starts every few hours. We are the ones who define where one year ends and another begins. In a place where there is no beginning and no end, every moment offers a fresh start—we can choose to respond to the old in a new way at any time.

After I put down Samantha Harvey's novel Orbital, I’ve been pondering how things seem vastly different from space, looking back at our blue planet—and I want to share some fresh insights into our relationships and sense of purpose.

1. Ego dissolves in the vastness of space.
In Orbital, the idea emerges that “there is no center, just a giddy mass of waltzing things.” The earth is not the center of the universe. Just like we are never the center of other people’s lives despite we experience it this way nonetheless. This perspective reminds us that our egos—our need to be right, to be seen, to be validated—can overshadow deeper connections and shared humanity. Letting go of the ego can open the door to greater understanding and collaboration.

2. Boundaries are artificial.
Looking at Earth from space, countries, wars, political boundaries—even the divides of continents—often cease to exist. Instead, the effects of human action, such as super typhoons or burning forests, become prominent.

This shift calls us to look past our differences and focus on collective purposes, whether as a family unit, a team, or an organization. What are "we" doing here? Why are "we" together? And how can we focus less on divides and more on common ground?

Often, our relationship tensions and differences feel amplified—but do they have to be? Imagine stepping back—mentally and emotionally—just as astronauts do physically. From that higher perspective, what seemed urgent might soften and diffuse. Differences could turn into diversity, and conflicts into opportunities for connection.

3. We matter greatly—and not at all.

Isn’t it the same with our existence? Everything we do is meaningful, yet ultimately, nothing really matters. We will die. Our companies may cease to exist. A spaceship plunges into the sea at the end of its life. Earth gets eaten up by the sun and the sun shinks into a useless white dwarf.

But this meaninglessness at the end makes life even more meaningful as a journey. It’s in the process of living that we truly live our values.

At the end of this note, I invite you to:

1. Reflect on the relationships around you. Think about the connections you have with the people in your life—those you wish to strengthen, and the conflicts that might need a fresh approach. Consider how these dynamics shape your world. Now, step back and reflect on your relationship with the larger world. What new synergies can you form? What initiatives can you contribute to that foster unity and growth, both personally and collectively?

2. See every moment as a new opportunity. Every moment offers a fresh chance to create a new response. How will you choose to respond?

3. Redefine meaning and purpose. What do you choose to find meaningful, even if it may seem fleeting? What will you let go of, even if it once appeared significant?

4. Cut down on mindless phone use. You will be amazed by how much you could achieve with that reclaimed time.

What’s for me in 2025
By reducing distractions, I’ve been able to better take care of my eyes, feel more settled, and be more prepared for coaching sessions. I’ve also saved enough time to read at least two good books each month, like Orbital. The impact has been profound!

At the start of this new year, my energy goes toward writing more and becoming more connected with the world. This effort didn’t begin just with the new year; it started a couple of months ago when I examined the meanings in my life: if everything won’t matter in the end, what truly matters to me? My conclusion was that I wanted to venture out more into the world and also go deeper into my inner world. As a result, I’ve forged new connections, became an advisor on an AI company's board, and re-started my fiction writing (the last time was six years ago).

One principle I commit to holding very close to my heart and mind is this: protect my mental space at all costs. Because a good mental space is essential to investing in deep connections and my life’s work, such as coaching, writing, and doggedly pursuing arts. With this principle, I continue to exit chat groups and apps that, despite their great vibes or convenience, prove to be too disruptive to my focus and productivity.

Final Reflection
As we step into 2025, what intention or shift would you like to make in your own life? How do you want to approach the challenges and opportunities ahead?

I’d love to hear your thoughts—whether it's a goal you're setting, a new perspective you're adopting, or a small change you’re making to foster deeper connection. Feel free to reply to this message or share your reflections with me. Let’s continue this conversation together, supporting one another as we navigate the year ahead.

Wishing you a year of clarity and connection.

Yolanda Yu
Coach and lifelong learner

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Every Friday, I share ONE idea and its manifestations and 1 question for you to ponder. Other ingredients you can expect will be book extracts, quotes, metaphors, tools, resources, and mini-exercises to keep growing your self-awareness.